"I had a strong desire to feed people, just like it happens in Vaishno Devi," Mohammed Tahir's eyes welled up with emotion as he spoke. "It is Her grace that enables me to conduct a 10-day Bhandara with dal, chawal, and bhaji. Ek shakti hai jo kaam karti hai," said Mohammed Tahir, a dedicated labour contractor who has been orchestrating the Durga Puja pandal each season in Vakola.

Jai Mata Di Sarvajanik Navratra Utsav Mandal is a Durga Puja pandal that holds a special place in the heart of Mumbai's Vakola. It has been organised by the Muslim couple Mohammed Tahir and his wife Zubeda for more than 40 years. What sets it apart is not its celebrity visitors or extravagant decorations, but the bedrock of faith, devotion and the symbol of true dedication that transcends religious boundaries.