Durga Puja 2021: Virtual or physical pandal hopping? Celebs take their pick RAIMA SEN
Even last year, we weren’t really able to celebrate any festival, but it’s okay. Staying safe is more important. The pandemic is not over yet, so I will stick to virtual pandal hopping, speaking to family on video and spending quality time at home, eating good food and desserts.
The essence of Durga Puja lies in pandal hopping, with rhythmic beats of dhaak filling the air, fasting for pushpanjali, indulging in bhog, and other Pujo shenanigans. But with the pandemic, many have resorted to virtual pandal hopping since last year. We ask some Bengali celebs which form of pandal hopping are they going to opt for this year to cherish the biggest festival of their land.
I was definitely looking forward to some in-person pandal hopping with my family this year. I’m a traditional oldschool Bengali woman. But I will just visit Kali Bari (temple in Mumbai) for the Pujo, as it has been a family custom for years. And I will save the pandal hopping for next year, if things go well.
I miss the celebrations a lot. I used to meet all my family members during this time, both from my mother’s side as well as father’s. I haven’t met them for so long, especially all the elders of the family, as they are at a higher risk. I will celebrate Pujo this year by making payesh and kosha mangsho at home… my favourite delicacies. Our family members are in Delhi, so we’ll be going live with them and be part of the rituals virtually.
This year, luckily, my sister is here with me in Kolkata and so are my parents. So, I will spend time with them at home. I will also get to see a lot of pandals, because I will be inaugurating a few. So, I will get to combine pandal hopping with work. And since I don’t have to go on my own to see them, I consider myself lucky. Of course, I will spend the rest of the time at home and take my parents out for lunch and dinner and spend quality with my family when not inaugurating the pandals.
PEver since the pandemic, that fervour, zest and enthusiasm is lost. I don’t think people will crowd pandals much this year. I am working, but I will also try and go to a pandal this year and take my daughter along.
Every year, I go pandal hopping and play host to others, as we have our own committee in North Bombay. This is my first Pujo since the pandemic, as I was busy with a reality TV show last year. This year, it will be a limited affair with a few people, but I’m going to be physically present at the pandals.
Harshvardhan Nawathe with the prize money cheque of ₹1 crore