Mumbai Durga Puja 2026: Bengal Club's 91st Celebration At Shivaji Park To Recreate Kolkata With Eco-Friendly Pandal

Mumbai's Bengal Club, located in Shivaji Park, is set to host its 91st Durga Puja celebration, a spectacular event that aims to bring a taste of Kolkata to the city. Over the course of four days, the pandal recreates the essence of Durga Puja in Kolkata, featuring giant murals of the Goddess in her various avatars and a color scheme inspired by Bengali traditions.

The pandal's design is the brainchild of Bollywood art director Rupin Suchak, who has drawn inspiration from the festival's theme, *Prakriti Shakti* (the power of nature). The 10,000 sq ft pandal is a testament to the organizers' commitment to environmental responsibility, employing natural materials, responsible idol-making, energy and water conservation, and waste segregation.

Artisan Amit Pal, whose family has been creating the Goddess for over 70 years, has sculpted a ten-armed deity embodying the seven Rs - refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, restore, conserve, share, and regenerate. Her weapons symbolize knowledge, courage, cooperation, preparedness, and responsible technology, while her lion represents the resilience of communities during crises.

The celebrations will include a handicrafts exhibition, food stalls offering Bengali cuisine, and cultural programs such as the Kumari Puja and traditional rituals. The inauguration is scheduled for October 15, with the main days of the puja taking place from October 16 to 21. Visitors are expected to number between eight and nine lakh.