Durga Puja 2025 is here, and it`s that time of the year to go pandal-hopping and spot some of the biggest and grandest installations of Maa Durga. The festival in Mumbai has grown into a grand cultural affair, where devotion often meets glamour and tradition blends with star-studded celebrations. Every year, the city’s biggest and most vibrant pandals are among the most sought after for its artistic splendour and being frequented by Bollywood celebrities and television stars
What is Durga Puja?
Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharadotsava, is a major Hindu festival observed in honour of the goddess Durga, commemorating her victory over Mahishasura. Back in 2021, Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on UNESCO`s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The festival is observed in the Hindu month of Ashvin (September -October) based on the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It lasts about ten days, with the final five days being most prominent. Although Durga Puja and Navaratri are observed simultaneously, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, they are not the same festival with many cultural differences and observances.
Celebrity Durga Puja Pandals to visit in 2025
North Bombay Sarbojanin Durgotsav (Juhu)
The North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja, one of Mumbai’s grandest and oldest star-studded Durga Puja celebration, which was established in 1948 by Padmashri Sashadhar Mukerji and his wife Satirani Mukerji, the great-grandparents of Rani Mukerji, Ayaan Mukerji, Kajol, Tanisha Mukerji and more. Is is frequented by many stars every year.
Balkanji Bari Pandal (Santacruz)
Balkanji Bari Pandal is frequently visited by the Mukerji family and is organised at Santacruz, Mumbai. Every year, Rani, Kajol, and Tanisha attend this pandal. This pandal is always a highlight among fans and media. Other stars such as Bipasha Basu and Sushmita Sen also join in the festivities. At this pandal, one gets to see the celebrities and devotees worshipping Goddess Durga with unmatched energy.
Lokhandwala Durgotsav (Andheri West)
For more than 25 years, renowned Bollywood singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya has been organising Lokhandwala Durgotsav in Andheri, Mumbai. The pandal celebrates the festival traditionally. Over the years, actors like Rhea Chakraborty, Bharti Singh, and Katrina Kaif have visited this pandal.
MBCA Durga Puja (Lokhandwala)
MBCA Durga Puja is organised by legendary singer Kumar Sanu. Set up at Lokhandwala in Mumbai, it draws several A-list stars every year. The Deol family, including Dharmendra, is a frequent visitors, along with politicians like Eknath Shinde.
Biswajit Chatterjee`s Puja Pandal (Juhu)
For several years, veteran actor Biswajit Chatterjee has been hosting his family’s Durga Puja in Juhu. His son, Prosenjit Chatterjee, also takes part in the celebration every year at the pandal at Juhu Club Millennial. Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan have been some of the most famous celebrities spotted at this pandal over the years.
Sanskriti Durga Puja (Borivali East)
Founded by renowned filmmakers Bimal Roy and Basu Chatterjee, this is also one of Mumbai`s oldest pandals. Known for its cultural performance, it witnesses paticipation from a few notable celebs.
Ramakrishna Math and Mission (Khar)
The Ramakrishna Mission in Khar, Mumbai, hosts one of the most traditional Durga Puja celebrations in the city. Along with worshipping Goddess Durga, one can also spot some Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who visit this pandal annually.
