NORTH BOMBAY SARBOJANIN DURGA PUJA SAMITI 2016  KAJOL, TANUJA, ALIA BHATT, AYAN MUKERJI, KAVITA KAUSHIK, SUMONA CHAKRAVARTI, MITHILESH CHATURVEDI, ASHUTOSH GOWARIKER WITH HIS WIFE SUNITA GOWARIKER,SHWETA KHANDURI , ANEEL MURAKA AT ONE OF THE OLDEST & BIGGEST DURGA PUJA.

          Bong stars Kajol, Tanuja, Alia Bhatt, Ayan Mukerji, Kavita Kaushik, Sumona Chakravarti, Mithilesh Chaturvedi, Ashutosh Gowariker with his wife Sunita Gowariker served bhog to the devotees at North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti 2016. That's not it, renowned singer Alisha Chinai performed & entertained everyone with her melodious voice.
         Sharbani Mukherji says “Our Durga puja was started by my grandparents Padmashri S. Mukerji and Smt. Satirani  Mukerji .This year is our 69th year. We have been following the traditions set by our elders from generation to  generation. Our puja is well known as a "GHARUA PUJA" which means all are welcome to become a part of our puja family... we believe in serving Bhog to all who come to seek blessings of Maa Durga. Our members are actively involved in serving the Bhog. These few days are days of bonding and celebrations amongst all of us, along with getting an opportunity to wear traditional attire .It is a Sarbojanin puja so all are welcome to be a part of this family."
         Bappa Lahiri says “Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals of Bengal. It's a tradition we are following since years, and being the third generation in my family, I am continuing the legacy. It's an occasion where family comes together and celebrate festival. We have an AC pandal which is one of the largest pandal in Mumbai. We welcome each & everyone with open arms to seek the blessings of Maa"
It is the only time of the year when the bengali’s in Mumbai switch on to their traditional mode. The festival of Durga Puja is colored with devotional zeal, mythological legends, detailed rituals, extravagant pandals and magnificent tableaus of the divine Mother Goddess coming with her children Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati from Kailash to Dharti (her parent's  home). As the festival of Maa Durga is approaching, Sharbani Mukherji and Bappa Lahiri brings one of the oldest and the biggest Durga Puja- North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti 2016 in Mumbai to seek the blessings of Maa Durga.
       This year Mrs. Paromita Sarkar has taken an innovative step towards protecting our environment and invented eco-friendly packaging for the prashad distributed to all devotees at the puja. The prashad will be packed in pouches made of BASF’s 100% compostable polymer. This innovative polymer is certified compostable according to all global standards and is therefore biodegradable and partly bio-based. This polymer from BASF bio-degrades completely when composted in a controlled environment, thus turning the waste into valuable compost.

AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN GRACES THE "2^nd TH OUTLOOK BUSINESS OUTSTANDING WOMEN AWARDS"

         

Last night marked a magnificent gathering of 19 powerful women excelling at their individual entrepreneurial journey and were thus honoured and felicitated at the 2^nd Outlook Business Outstanding Women Awards' held at Taj, Santacruz with much fanfare. This years' prestigious line up of winners from across India showed up in their finest best to celebrate including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ananya Birla, Ashni Biyani, Anita Dongre, Tara Singh Vachani, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Hemalatha Annamalai, Ritu Dalmia, Anu Acharya, Richa Kar, Radhika Aggarwal, Pooja Warier, Gloria Benny, Upasana Taku, Shubhra Chadda, Neha Singh, Suchi Mukherjee,Rohini Iyer and Pooja Dhingra. Sponsored by PC Jewellers, the award ceremony was hosted by Mandira Bedi with several other reputed personalities like Waahiid Ali Khan, Pria Kataria Puri, Vibha Anand, Neha Ahuja and Suzanna Mukherjee in attendance to cheer for their friends.
            Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who won the 'Outstanding Woman - Celebrity of the Year' award was grace, beauty and confidence personified as she charmed the audience when she walked on stage in a Manish Malhotra gown to receive her trophy and even applauded her fellow winners. She dedicated her award to her parents expressing gratitude as they have played a huge role in shaping her life since she was born. Ash made the cut to this year's winners list not for her angelic beauty or just her successful career but for her elegant comeback post motherhood and holding onto stardom on her terms. Post receiving her award, she also unveiled the latest issue of the fortnightly magazine with the editor in tow.
            The glittering red carpet event was filled with massive inspiration and glamour, super food, wonderful entertainment, networking, much elation and huge accolades. Outlook Business Awards are given solely on merit, grit and glory to commend those most deserving for their incessant hard work and worthy of recognition.

 Amruta Fadnavis at Dandiya event in Mumbai.

Amruta Fadnavis wife of Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis,Harshvardhan Joshi,Shree Rajput actors of film Miss Khiladi,Actress Model Ekta Jain,Yogesh Kumar hero of film Dil Sala Sanki,singer-composer Sandeep Batraa & Lyricist Tanveer Ghazi at Dandiya event in Mumbai.

Well known advocate B R Sharma from Gujarat becomes an actor in Hindi film Miss Khiladi releasing on 14th Oct all over.

We heard many stories of Actors and Celebrities about their Previous work Background but not heard story about Advocate becoming an Actor but now we have one. Gandhinagar Bar Association President and very well known Advocate from Gujarat B.R.Sharma becomes an Actor. He has changed his name as we all know people from the different background change their name while they work in Film Industry. He is now Ajay Singh. He is Playing second Lead in the Movie Miss.Khiladi-The Perfect Player releasing on 14^thOctober all over.

SHASHTHI PUJO AT ONE OF THE OLDEST & BIGGEST DURGA PUJA- NORTH BOMBAY SARBOJANIN DURGA PUJA SAMITI 2016 

     The festival of Durga Puja is colored with devotional zeal, mythological legends, detailed rituals, extravagant pandals and magnificent tableaus of the divine Mother Goddess coming with her children Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati from Kailash to Dharti (her parent's  home). As the festival of Maa Durga is approaching, Sharbani Mukherji and Bappa Lahiri brings one of the oldest and the biggest Durga Puja- North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti 2016 in Mumbai to seek the blessings of Maa Durga.

        This year Mrs. Paromita Sarkar has taken an innovative step towards protecting our environment and have adopted eco-friendly packaging for the prashad distributed to all devotees at the puja. The prashad will be packed in pouches made of BASF’s 100% compostable polymer. This innovative polymer is certified compostable according to all global standards and is therefore biodegradable and partly bio-based. This polymer from BASF bio-degrades completely when composted in a controlled environment, thus turning the waste into valuable compost.

         The evening saw the presence of  Debu Mukherji , Bappi Lahiri, Chitrani Lahiri ,Tanisha lahiri, Rema Lahiri, Ayan Mukerji,Shivira Mukherji, Jyoti Mukherji, Jas Arora ,Manpreet Arya, Kavita Kaushik and many more.

        Sharbani Mukherji says “Our Durga puja was started by my grandparents Padma Shri Mr. S. Mukerji and Smt. Satirani  Mukerji .This year is our 68th year. We have been following the traditions set by our elders from generation to  generation. Our puja is well known as a "GHARUA PUJA" which means all are welcome to become a part of our puja family... we believe in serving Bhog to all who come to seek blessings of Maa Durga. Our members are actively involved in serving the Bhog.  These few days are days of bonding and celebrations amongst all of us, along with getting an opportunity to wear traditional attire .It is a Sarbojanin puja so all are welcome to be a part of this family."

           Bappa Lahiri says “Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals of Bengali. It's a tradition we are following since years, and being the third generation in my family, I am continuing the legacy. It's an occasion where the family comes together and celebrates the festival. We have an AC pandal which is one of the largest pandal in Mumbai. We welcome each & everyone with open heart to seek the blessings of Maa"

Durga Puja is celebrated from Shasti to Bijoya Dashimi.

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 Maa Durga or Naba Patrika.. Ganapati's mother 

MAHA SNAN:
On this day Maa Durga is given a bath. First a vessel is  placed  in front of the Murti; a mirror is kept in the vessel, so that the reflection of Maa is seen in the mirror. The   Priest applies Haldi and Mustard oil on the mirror, as though they are applying it on Maa before the bath. In earlier times  when there was no soap, haldi and mustard oil were used for  having bath. The Pujari puts different kinds of water, i.e. Coconut water, Chandan, Ganga jal, Sugar cane juice, water from seven holy seas to give her bath. During this time, mud from every region, as well as mud from Prostitute’s door is very essential. After bath the Pujari puts dhaan- durba and new sari with Maa’s name written on  the mirror which is then placed on the Bedi (the place of worship).

PRAN PRATISTHA:This  means bringing life into the mirror.  The Pujari takes Kusha and flowers in the right hand, and touches Maa from head to foot and with Mantra Path life is brought into the Murti, Mirror and Kalash.

MAHA AGAMAN:
Every year Maa comes either on a Palki or an Elephant or a Boat or a Dola (Swing) , or a Horse etc.
This Bengali year 1423, Goddess Durga's arrival on a horse significes, indicates the "bad horse"- The most destructive mood, hence all her path is trampled. The Goddess arrives & leaves the earth on the same vehicle, indicating natural calamities, social unrest and political
upheavals. Maa Durga's agaman- is on the horse & gaman - on a horse.
Welcome :
The puja to welcome Maa is done with 16 items- Ashan  Swagatam [ Welcome ], Paddyo [ Water  To  Wash The  Feet ], Argho, Achmoniyom, Madhu Parkam , Purnar Achmaniyam, Abharan [ Shringar], Sindoor, Gandha [ Scent ], Pushpa[ Flower],  Pushpa Mallya [ Garland] , Billo Patra [Bel Leaf] , Billopatra Mala[ Garland Of Bel Leaf], Dhoop,Deep, Kajal, Naibiddo, Bhog And Mishti [Sweet], Paan, Supari.

PUSHPANJALI [PRAYER OFFERING]:
Puspanjali means offering prayers at Maa’s feet to give everyone long life, fame, good luck, health, wealth, happiness. The devotees request Maa to protect them from all evil, sadness, greed & temptations.

MAHA ASHTAMI PUJA:
Maa is now Maha Gauri- The Puja starts with Mahasnan & Maha gauri puja. The Puja is done to give Maa the strength of the 64 Yoginis. This is a Puja of 9 pots.Then the weapons of Maa are worshipped.

SHANDHI PUJA :
This is the puja when Ashtami Puja ends and Navami Puja begins,so the name Shandhi puja. This is considered to be the most vital time, meeting (shandhi)of Ashtami and Navami  puja. The duration of this Puja is 45 minutes. At this moment  Maa is CHAMUNDA.
Pushpanjali: Prayer offering
Bhog is offered which consists of fruits and sweets are offered to Maa, followed by  "NEET  BHOG" , consisting of  Rice, Ghee, Dal, Fried Vegetables, Chutney and Payesh.  This prasad  is later distributed amongst the devotees which is called KANGALI BHOJAN. 

At this time 108 diyas are lit and 108 lotus are offered to Maa.
There is a famous story that Lord Ram prayed to Maa Durga offering 108 lotus at her feet in order to defeat Ravan. But to his surprise he found one lotus  missing , to replace it ,he wanted to sacrifice his eye and pray to Maa..at that moment Maa appeared in front of him and stopped him..returning the missing lotus to him.  She then blessed him for his " VICTORY". 

MAHA NAVAMI PUJA :
On this day, Maa is SIDDHI DHATRI. This Puja starts with  Ganapati Puja and then puja of all the other DEV and DEVIS are performed..followed by Maha Snan of Maa.

BIJOYA DASHAMI:-
On this day Maa had defeated and killed Mahishashur.

DEVI PUJA:-
Bhog with curd, honey and milk is offered to Maa.. this is called CHARANAMRIT. The pujari sitting on the Asan takes a flower near the sacred pot and keeps it in the Northern direction because Maa is from KAILASH.
Then the  pujari takes the sacred mirror which was on the vessel and performs the ritual of Visharjan. This is the same mirror which was used to welcome Maa because her reflection is on the mirror .

SINDUR  UTSAV:
The married ladies apply sindur on Maa's  forehead and offer sweets after which all the other  ladies apply sindur on each other's forehead. This is followed by  KANAK ANJALI when Maa is departing back to her husband's abode.

VISHARJAN:-
During the Visharjan of the Murti, all the devotees either go to a river bank or sea and immerse the Murti in the water.

SHANTI JAL: -
The sacred pot is brought back from the river/sea filled with the water where the Murti is immersed. Then the pujari chants the Mantra and sprinkles water with the help of mango leaves on the head of all the devotees for peace and happiness.

DASSERA:
This is the day of rejoicement,where youngsters touch the feet of their elders seeking their blessings and sweets are distributed.
North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti  is the only Durga Puja Samiti which performs the visarjan with the help of  fork lift and  crane. The idols  are  lifted from the truck and then taken till the middle of the sea with the help of a crane .After the seven parikramas  are performed,they are then finally immersed one by one into the sea. 

Sofia Hayat played Surpnakha in Ramleela at New Delhi Red Fort.

Sofia Hayat is in India to promote her film Six X .She went to Delhi to play Surpnakha in Ramleela at Red Fort.This was her first play in India.She loved the response of public.More than 50,000 people came to see the Ramleela.Shakti Kapoor played Khar,Harish played Laxman and Gurleen Chopra played Sita.

Father- Son duo "Bappi Lahiri & Bappa Lahiri" brings one of the oldest and the biggest Durga Puja- North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti 2016 in Mumbai 

          The festival of Durga Puja is colored with devotional zeal, mythological legends, detailed rituals, extravagant pandals and magnificent tableaus of the divine Mother Goddess coming with her children Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati from Kailash to Dharti (her parent's  home). As the festival of Maa Durga is approaching, the father- son duo- Bappi Lahiri and Bappa Lahiri brings one of the oldest and the biggest Durga Puja- North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti 2016 in Mumbai to seek the blessings of Maa Durga.

          Legendary singer- Bappi Lahiri has been associated with this puja since his childhood as his parents Shri. Aparesh Lahiri and Shrimati. Bansari Lahiri were also members of this puja which was started by Padmashri Sasadhar Mukerji and Smt . Satirani Mukerji . The tradition continues from generation to generation of making this puja “GHARUA PUJA” (family puja) where all are welcome to seek the blessings of Maa Durga "We have been following the traditions set by our elders from generation to  generation. Our puja is well known as a "GHARUA PUJA" which means all are welcome to become a part of our puja family. We welcome each & everyone to be a part of North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti family and seek the blessings of Maa Durga"

        Bappa Lahiri says “Durga Puja is one of the most important festivals of Bengali. It's a tradition we are following since years, and being the third generation in my family, I am continuing the legacy. It's an occasion where the family comes together and celebrates the festival. We have an AC pandal which is one of the largest pandal in Mumbai. We welcome each & everyone with open heart to seek the blessings of Maa".

Besides being one of the oldest & biggest Durga Puja in Mumbai, the biggest attraction is Maa Durga's idol being 17 feet in height and weighs 5 tonnes, making her the tallest and heaviest Murti in Mumbai.