Havan, 'dhunuchi' dance pervade puja pandals in Mumbai

MUMBAI: The fragrant smoke of ashtami havan emanating from Navratra pandals pervaded the air for most of Saturday. And as navami set in at around 3.48 pm, wisps of the 'dhunuchi' filled Durga Puja pandals.
The fervour reached fever pitch as a 72-year-old lady danced, carrying the smoke-filled clay pot at the Navajeevan Sangha puja in Mulund. "The dhunuchi dance is an essential element of the Durga Puja worship," said committee member Debashish Chatterjee.The entrance of the pandal, at Nalanda recreation ground, is a 48-ft model of the famous Belur Math temple in Bengal. It also features Chandannagar-style LED lights by artisans from Navi Mumbai. Around 2,800 people ate bhog on Saturday and 4,500 are expected to arrive for a special biryani and matar paneer bhog on Sunday.
In Malad, the fledgling Matribhoomi puja near Marve Road saw a sizeable crowd of 500 turn up for afternoon bhog. "Ours is a three-year-old puja with little sponsorship but we still have dhakis (drummers) from Kolkata, bhog, cultural programmes and skits," said spokesman Jitendra Kothari.
In Thakurli, the Probasi Bengali Samiti is celebrating its 59th festival at the Mahila Samiti School compound. The 50-ft pandal is designed like a temple from Bengal. Spokesperson Ashim Dey said 'sandhi puja' and kumari puja on navami, are their highlights. "Sandhi puja requires 108 lotus flowers, a single fruit, dry rice grain for 'naivedya', 108 earthen lamps, clothes, jewellery, hibiscus garlands and wood apple (bel) leaves," he said. Thakurli serves khichdi and labda prasad made of rice, dal and mixed vegetables, each morning and evening.
In Antop Hill, the Bengalee Association Antop Hill Wadala hosts around 4,000 people at its khichdi pulao 'langar'. "This year our Durga idol is in the white 'daaker saaj' style," said an old-time member.