Pune's Durga Puja pandals with a 77-year-old legacy

Sudden showers of autumn amidst the bright sun, cotton ball clouds, smell of new clothes and the sounds of dhak make Bengalis from any part of the world yearn for home during this time of the year. However, for many from the community, who have made Pune their homes for several years, Durga Puja is no different. During the five days of Durga Puja, pockets of Pune shine like Kolkata, with as much grandeur as the City of Joy, giving Puneites a glimpse of what it feels like to be in Kolkata during Durga Puja. Greasy rolls and mishti to gorge on, pushpanjali and endless adda, the community lets people soak in as much Bengali-ness as they want in these five days. And ahead of the festivities, here’s a look at the oldest Durga Puja pandals of the city that kick-started the celebrations in town.

The Pune Kali Bari Durga Puja, as it is known now, began in 1939. Seventy-seven years ago, there weren’t as many Bengalis in town, as there are now, but enough to start the first puja of Pune. Anup Dutta, from the Pune Kali Bari Durga Puja association, shared, “In the 1930s, there were a lot of Bengali doctors and armed forces personnels who stayed in the Khadki cantonment area. They were mainly employed under the government and as it was difficult to go back to Bengal every year during that time, they began celebrating Durga Puja in a small school in Khadki.”

Not all from the community could attend the festivities in Khadki back then. So, it was decided, that the Durga Puja will be held in the city area (the present Pune Municipal Corporation which was a barren land then) every alternate year. “This is how the other oldest puja of the city, Congress Bhavan, came to existence,” Dutta added. The celebration at these venues, every alternate year, continued till the 1960s, when Bangiya Sanskriti Sansad (erstwhile Congress Bhavan) branched out to have their own Durga Puja, without losing its essence. Bireshwar Mitra, president of BSS, said, “As I get to know from my predecessors, the Durga Puja, that began with few people, gained popularity in no time. Gradually, more people settled at various parts of the city and branched out with their own Durga Puja celebrations at several corners.” With over 30 Durga Puja pandals in the city, a majority of them owe their allegiance to Pune Kali Bari and

Congress Bhavan

Durga Pujas.

Taking forward the tradition of bhog
With carrying forward the legacy of puja celebrations, generations have also passed on their secrets when it comes to making the bhog for goddess Durga. The simple plate of khichudi, sabzi, kheer and tomato chutney, a quintessential Bengali’s must-have during Durga Puja, has been passed on for generations in Pune, miles away from Bengal. “Until very recently bhog was cooked with woodfire. But, with popularity, we switched to cooking gas. Like it was decades ago, the bhog comprises of khichudi, labra, payesh and chutney. We offer pulao to the goddess on Saptami, which is also served to devotees on this day,” shared Dutta. Incidentally, the cook hasn’t changed in Pune Kali Bari, for over a few decades now. It is no different in Congress Bhavan. “As a tradition there are two types of bhog that are prepared. One is special for the goddess, which is made by the ladies of the association and offered to Durga. Later the part of this bhog is added to the bhog prepared as a prasad to devotees,” said

Madhumita Ghosh

, a member of BSS.

(With inputs from Anup.Satphale@timesgroup.com)