Kajol, Mouni Roy and more celebs visit one of the oldest and the biggest Durga Puja

Tanuja, Kajol, Tanishaa Mukerji, Mouni Roy, Ashutosh Gowariker, Ayan Mukerji, Debu Mukerji, Bappa .B. Lahiri, Taneesha Lahiri, Krishh Lahiri, Jaan Kumar Sanu, Sharbani Mukherji, Samrat, Jyoti Mukerji , Rego Lahiri, Rituparna Sengupta visit North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti 2021, one of the oldest and the biggest Durga Puja in Mumbai goes virtual consecutively for the second year amid the COVID pandemic, adheres to strict norms, only double vaccination people allowed.

Karishma Modi with Mouni Roy during Durga Puja celebtations at Noth Bombay Durga Puja Samiti

As the festival of Maa Durga is approaching, the members of North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti are all set to go the virtual way amid the Covid-19 pandemic for the second year. The members have decided to take their puja to the people through live streaming and social media through cell phones and laptops. They are concerned that with crowded pandals many may get infected by the deadly virus so the decision to carry forward the same like last year arrangements.

Ashutosh Gowariker during Durga Puja celebtations at Noth Bombay Durga Puja Samiti

Infact this year they have scaled down the idol to 4ft and 6ft with mukut. Elder members are requested to stay home. Infact members are allowed to visit the pandal in small batches adhering to social distancing norms. Unfortunately outsiders, bhog, prasad and flowers are strictly prohibited to avoid physical contact. There will be two hours of morning anjali without flowers and two hours of sandhya aarti.

Amit Kumar with son Sumit kumar and Leena Chandavarkar during Durga Puja celebtations at Noth Bombay Durga Puja Samiti

Debu Mukerji says “This is the second year we are doing virtual Durga Puja. We have to maintain social distance and wear masks. Because of that we are not letting a lot of people come in. It is only members. Keeping everyone’s safety in mind we thought that’s the best decision to make. Even the members are allotted a specific time when they can visit the pandal. We seek maa’s blessings and pray for everyone’s safety”.

Debu Mukherjee, Tanisha, Tanuja, Kajol during Durga Puja celebtations at Noth Bombay Durga Puja Samiti

Kajol says “Because unprecedented times require unprecedented action, unfortunately this year too Durga Puja will not be celebrated with pomp and show as it was in 2019. The festival has a lot of fond memories, it brings the family together, the preparation from outfits to bhog, everything about Durga Puja is special. However, keeping the safety as the paramount importance, I trust NBSDP will do what is the best for the members and devotees”.

Rituparna Sen Gupta during Durga Puja celebtations at Noth Bombay Durga Puja Samiti

Ayan Mukerji says “It’s the second year that we are going virtual, however safety of our members and devotees is our paramount concern, we will do everything to make sure everyone is safe. We seek Maa Durga’s blessings to help us pass through this time”.

Sumona Chakravarti with Sharbani Mukherjee during Durga Puja celebtations at Noth Bombay Durga Puja Samiti

Sharbani Mukherji says “Wishing Durga Puja to everybody. Being in the COVID situation we are facing today we have to be very careful because there are children, senior citizens at home and loved ones so I think this is necessary that we have to follow the protocols. Definitely the Puja is not the way it was on a grand scale but what is more important that the rituals are done and puja is done, all the vidhis we are following. We are missing the devotees who have been coming for so many years from all over the world and India. Hopefully by next year we will come back with a bang. It is going to be our 75th year so we are planning a bigger celebration to bring in that and with Maa’s blessing, hopefully we will come out of this pandemic situation”.