City's oldest Durga pandal pays tribute to Indian cinema

As the Indian movie industry celebrates its centennial this year, the Bombay Durgabari Samiti, the city's oldest Durga Pandal, is paying a tribute to its cinematic journey.

As the Indian movie industry celebrates its centennial this year, the Bombay Durgabari Samiti, the city's oldest Durga Pandal, is paying a tribute to its cinematic journey.

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An art gallery chronicling the depictions of Durga in Indian films forms the backdrop of the pandal at the Samiti's 83rd puja at Tejpal Hall near Gowalia Tank ground.

"The idea behind the theme is to help devotees understand the various roles of Durga depicted in the movies," said Soumitra Banerjee, president, Bombay Durgabari Samiti.

"We have used eco-friendly materials like straw, wood and, of course, the Hooghly river soil for the idol," said Banerjee.

The puja sees thousands of devotees lining up, everyday, to get a glimpse of the goddess.

"I have been visiting Durgabari Samiti for 6 years," said Seema Mukherji, a resident of Byculla.

The samiti funds charities from donations given by devotees and last year the group donated Rs. 11 lakh to an orphanage in Nalasopara.

"The patrawari (plates) used in bhog is bought from Shraddha Charitable Trust. In this way, we support economically weaker families by providing them employment," said Sajlendu Chatterjee, convenor of the group's Bhog committee.