Durga Puja 2026: Here's your complete Mumbai pandal-hopping guide

Hail the divine motherA view of the idols from 2025Organised by the Progressive and Cultural Mahila Mandal this Puja enters its fifth year The theme Maa celebrates the divine mother as a universal source of love care and protection The celebration offers devotees a chance to gather in prayer and mark Durga Puja in a spirit of devotion and togethernessAT Mahila Vikas Mandal Hall General Jagannath Bhosale Road near Mantralaya Nariman PointKerala inspirationThe recently unveiled Durga idol at Tejpal Hall PicSpecial ArrangementThe North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja closely associated with the Mukherjee family marks its 80th edition this year The celebrations have been hosted by familiar faces such as actors Rani Mukerji and Kajol This year the pandal recreates the grandeur of Keralarsquos Guruvayur Temple while artisans from Kolkata craft the Durga idol with Bengalrsquos artistry The celebrations also honour family members who helped shape the Pujarsquos legacyAT SNDT Womenrsquos College grounds Juhu Tara RoadHome away from homeCelebrating its 97th year of Durga Puja the Bombay Durga Bari Samiti carries a legacy of devotion culture and unity This yearrsquos theme Power is not for destruction but for the restoration of peace carries a timely message amid conflict and suffering in the worldAT Tejpal Hall near August Kranti MaidanFolk art and community spiritEstablished in 1954 the Chembur Durga Puja Association CDPA is among Mumbairsquos longstanding Durga Puja celebrations Chembur has long been an important hub for the cityrsquos Bengali community and the annual festivities bring residents together This year the distinctive pandal deacutecor will showcase Bengalrsquos folk heritage through Bankura Putul bamboo and jute blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic expressionAT RCF Ground opposite Jawahar Vidya Bhawan School ChemburSustainable celebrationThe grand display at the Bengal Club pandal last yearThe 104yearold Bengal Club in Shivaji Park Mumbairsquos oldest Bengali institution celebrates its 91st Durga Puja with the theme Prakriti Shakti The Power of Nature Inspired by natural disasters in Nepal and the Himalayas it explores naturersquos lifesustaining power and its parallels with Maa Durga Designed by art director Rupin Suchak the 10000squarefoot pandal will incorporate fabric bamboo and metal with an emphasis on reusable materials and responsible practices Visitors can also pledge their support for the environment at a Tree of PromisesAT Shivaji Park Dadar WestSpiritual calmThe idol at the Khar venue during last yearrsquos celebrationsAway from elaborate celebrations the Ramakrishna Mission offers a quieter devotional Puja Its rituals follow ageold customs making it a destination for those seeking a traditional observance The peaceful surroundings take on a festive air during Durga Puja Therersquos also a book sale with interesting titlesAT Ramakrishna Math 12th Road Khar WestBonedi barisCelebrating its 14th year Powairsquos Spandan Durga Puja draws inspiration from Kolkatarsquos traditional Bonedi Baris ancestral aristocratic Bengali homes recreating the spirit of a family gathering under one roof Seven priests from Varanasi will lead a Maha Aarti inspired by the iconic Ganga Aarti on Saptami night The celebrations continue with an opentoall Dhunuchi Naach competition and an interclub Dhak competition on the following nights bringing Bengalrsquos rituals and performance traditions to the foreAT Spandan Durga Puja Ground opposite Transocean House JVLR Hiranandani Gardens PowaiBarir PujoThe wooden and earthen idols at the 2025 Durga Puja celebrationsNow in its ninth year Barir Durga Pujo grew out of its organiserrsquos longing to continue the tradition after stepping away from the larger community celebrations Held within a bungalowrsquos premises the intimate opentoall Puja features an eightfoot permanent wooden Durga idol created by the art department at Santiniketan with an earthen idol worshipped in front of it Alongside traditional rituals priests and dhakis the festivities feature a Bengali bhog spread of rice dal shukto and dhokar dalnaAT Asit Ghoshrsquos residence Plot No 66 Sector 12 Vashi Bhog is served from 1 pm to 3 pm on October 17 18 and 20Go traditionalA section of HCAFrsquos 2025 pandalHoyi Choyi Anondo Foundation HCAF in Matunga returns in its third year with the spotlight on Bengalrsquos rituals customs craftsmanship festivals and folklore The communityled festivities aim to keep cultural heritage alive while bringing people from diverse backgrounds together Singer Javed Ali will headline a special gala evening on October 20 at Shanmukhananda Hall adding a musical highlight to the celebrationsAT SNDT Womenrsquos College Matunga EastAlso check out For feasts and retail therapy The Navi Mumbai Bengali Associationrsquos Durga Puja is worth a visit for its food stalls and a fully airconditioned hallAT CIDCO Exhibition Centre Sector 30 Vashi For music and theatre The 54yearold Notunpalli Sarbojanin Durgotsab lsquos lineup this year includes the Agomoni celebrations on Sasthi Bengali theatre folk music by Roots and Bollywood melodiesAT Notunpalli Sarbojonin Durgotsab Bandra West For stardust Popularly known as Abhijitrsquos Pujo this celebration organised by music director Abhijit is a draw for its extravagant settings celebrity appearances and entertainmentAT Lokhandwala Durga Puja Ground Andheri West