Grand star-studded Shubho Ashtami Pujo at North Bombay Durga Puja

North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti, one of the oldest and most prestigious Durga Puja celebrations in the city is celebrating their 76th-year.This year's Durga Puja celebration at North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti is truly a star-studded extravaganza. Bollywood and music industry celebrities are set to grace the occasion with their presence, making it an event of unparalleled glamour and entertainment-Jaya Bachchan, Kajol along with her son Yug Devgn, Tanuja, Tanishaa Mukerji, Rani Mukerji, Bipasha Basu, Rupali Ganguly, Munmun Dutta, Sumona Chakravarti, Hrishitaa Bhatt, Shekhar Khanijo, Poonam Pandey, Chaitannya Choudhry, Shomu Mitra, Naomi Ghosh, Jaan Kumar Sanu, Rego B, Rema Lahiri, Govind Bansal, Anurag Basu, Jaideep Ahlawat along with his wife Jyoti Ahlawat, Tina Datta, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Aaditi Pohankar, Ridhima Pandit, Hrishikesh Pandey, Alka Yagnik, Vatsal Sheth, Ishita Dutta, Shweta Basu Prasad, Madhu Chopra, Shraddha Jaiswal, Aoora, Susmita Mukherjee, Jyoti Mukerji, Ranveer Brar, Vikas Khanna and Pooja Dhingra, Kunickaa Sadanand....and many more.

The highlight of this year's festivities is undoubtedly the awe-inspiring 20-feet high Protima of Goddess Durga, complete with an intricately crafted Mukut. Without the Mukut, the idol stands tall at an impressive 17 feet which is 30 feet long in breadth. What's more, this magnificent sculpture weighs over 3 tons, necessitating the use of forklifts and cranes during the immersion process. The Protima takes seven rounds before the immersion.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sp45LmOgx15cgTUG43o-XcEU3swPPqWL/view?usp=sharing 

The theme of *"Thai Temples"* for this year's Durga Puja has been masterfully curated, drawing inspiration from the rich and ornate designs found in the temples of Thailand. The Art Director, Kiran, has painstakingly incorporated Thai aesthetics into the Pandal, ensuring a captivating Thai ambiance for all visitors.
North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti takes immense pride in offering a holistic experience to its devotees and visitors. The USP of this celebration lies in every facet of their hospitality and organization. From the best entertainment programs featuring renowned celebrities performing at the Pandal to an authentic Bhog experience that replicates the warmth of a Baraat, Samiti's commitment to excellence is unwavering.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zm5JX7LFlrfNGKsjnV5uPh9NRnVpgLQw/view?usp=sharing 

North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti* was established in 1948. The founder members were Sasadhar Mukerji, Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Bimal Roy, Hemant Kumar, S D. Burman, Joy Mukerji, Pradeep Kumar, Ram Mukerji and many such celebrities. The Puja was started  with Maa Durga's blessing & it is still going strong because of the good workers like Supratim Sarkar, Navnit Narayan, Sanjoy Mukerji, Prasun Sikdar Shivdutt, Souvik, Samrat Mukerji.
*MAHASHASHTI*: On this day,  Maa is welcomed with much fan fare. In the evening ,the Kulo is decorated with Paan, Sindur, Alta, Sheela (stone) , Dhaan etc..and amidst the beats of Dhaak and sound of Shaankh, Maa is welcomed…  This is called Amontron and Adhivas -Maa’s Bodhon… Maa is being welcomed

*MAHASAPTAMI*: On  this  day the   Kalash (Earthen Pot) is  placed  with  a  green Coconut  and  Mango  Leaves .  This is surrounded on all sides by a red thread and tied. This is called KALASH STHAPAN. The Kalash is an earthen Pot because Maa’s Murti is made of Ganga clay and Maa’s PRAAN (or life) is concentrated in the Pot. So the Pot is the symbol of Maa.  The  Puja  starts  with  praying  to  Ganapati  ,  followed  by  prayers  to  Maa.  Another name of Maa Durga is NABA PATRIKA, which means nine trees i.e.Banana tree, Kochu tree, Haldi tree, Jayanti tree, Branch of Bel tree, Dalim tree ( pomegranate) are tied together. The double Bel fruit is tied to the Banana tree. This is then taken to a river bank or sea and given a bath. When it is brought back it is drapped in a white and red sari with sindur and it now looks like a married lady with her head covered. This is called KOLA BAHU. Many have a misconception that KOLA BAHU is wife of Ganapati but actually she is MaaDurga or Naba Patrika.. Ganapati’s mother