Durga Puja is a vibrant festival honoring the divine feminine energy of Shakti in Hinduism. And while Durga Puja celebrations are best experienced in West Bengal and neighboring regions, the multicultural city of Mumbai also has a rich history and heritage of Durga Puja. The Durga Puja pandals in Mumbai are as unique as the Ganesh pandals, and here are some of the must-visit pandals in the city.
Top 5 Must-Visit Durga Puja Pandals In Mumbai
Durga Puja will begin on September 28 and conclude on October 2, 2025. The 5-day festival is widely celebrated in West Bengal and Odisha but is also celebrated in many other cities and states across India.
The Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya, marks the beginning of Durga Puja festivities and will fall on September 21 in 2025.
If you’re celebrating this festival and are planning to visit Kolkata for the same, you must definitely read about our Durga Puja Kolkata metro guide.
Now that we talked about Durga Puja dates in India, let us move on to take a look at the 5 best Durga Puja pandals in Mumbai.
Pandal 1: Lokhandwala Durgotsav
The Lokhandwala neighborhood in western Mumbai is a thriving economic hub in the city, known for its commercial spaces, and (costly) residential properties. But beyond that, Lokhandwala is also known for its vibrant Durga Puja celebrations.
The Lokhandwala Durgotsav is the most famous among them, led by Indian singer and musician Abhijit Bhattacharya. The pandal is a treat to the eyes in the truest sense – with grand sets and ornately decorated idols of Goddess Durga. In fact, the team organizing this pandal spends a considerable amount of time planning and designing the layout and theme for each year’s Durga Puja.
Location: Lokhandwala Durga Puja Ground, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400102
Pandal 2: Bengal Club Shivaji Park
Bengal Club Shivaji Park is one of the oldest organizations of the Bengali community in Mumbai. The organization has been organizing Durga Puja celebrations in the city for the past several decades and in 2025, they’ll host their 90th Durga Puja!
The highlight of this pandal is that it is a much more traditional celebration, complete with authentic Bengali rituals, pujas, and several competitions. The pandal also worships an eco-friendly and water-soluble idol, making the celebration even more sustainable. Other celebrations in this pandal include vibrant Dhunuchi dance, Bengali folk dances, serving traditional Bhog, and conch-blowing competitions.
Fun fact: This Durga Puja pandal is the only pandal in Mumbai to be given the title of ‘Heritage Puja’ by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra
Location: Veer Savarkar Marg, Shivaji Park, Dadar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400028
Pandal 3: Juhu Durga Puja/North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja
The third pandal on our list is one of the most glamorous and famous Durga Puja pandals in Mumbai. This is where you’ll find a ton of Bollywood celebrities like Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Tanuja, and Ayan Mukerji, among many others. People visit this pandal not only to pay respects to Goddess Durga but also to spot a glimpse of their favorite Bollywood A-listers.
There are different traditional rituals and events organized during Durga Puja at the Juhu Durga Puja pandal. These include traditional havan, Dhunuchi dances, community Bhog, and several other events. And if you’re lucky enough, you might even spot your favorite stars participating in these events!
Location: Uditi Tarang Housing Colony, Tulip Star Hotel, Juhu Tara, Mumbai, Maharashtra- 400054
Pandal 4: Vashi Cultural Association (VCA) Durga Puja
Nestled in the Navi Mumbai suburbs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the Vashi Cultural Association Durga Puja stands out among the many Durga Puja pandals in Mumbai.
The pandal is known for its unique idols of Goddess Durga that are ornately embellished with gold and jewelstones. Along with the idols, the pandal is also a standout each year, being constructed by Bengali artisans with great precision and thought.
And while you’re here, do not miss out on the traditional cultural performances, book fairs, and Bhog ceremonies. With hundreds and thousands of visitors each year, the VCA Durga Puja pandal is a must-have experience in Mumbai during this festival.
Location: ICL School Ground, Sec 15, Vashi, Mumbai 400703
Pandal 5: Bombay Durgabari Samiti
The last entry on our list bags the honor of being the oldest Durga Puja celebration in Mumbai. The Bombay Durgabari Samiti, held at Gowalia Tank in South Bombay, will host its 96th celebration in 2025.
And it’s not just Durga Puja that is celebrated here – the Bombay Durgabari Samiti also celebrates other events like Poila Baishakh, Kojagiri Puja, Basanta Utsav, and Diwali.
This community organization also engages in several charitable activities like blood donation camps and cloth donation drives to serve underprivileged communities. The Bombay Durgabari Samiti’s Durga Puja is not just about celebration but also about community building and social service.
Location: Mathuradas Vissanji Memorial Hall (next to Tejpal Auditorium), Tejpal Road, Mumbai – 400 036
Tips For Visiting Durga Puja Pandals In Mumbai
- Plan your itinerary for the day in advance. Decide which pandals you’ll visit throughout the day and keep their locations handy.
- Dress modestly when visiting Durga Puja pandals. Avoid revealing clothing like crop tops, sleeveless outfits, and skirts and go for more traditional, ethnic clothes like kurtas and sarees.
- Carry essentials like a water bottle, sunscreen, and a power bank with you at all times as you’ll most likely be outdoors for most of the day. Being hydrated, keeping your skin protected, and your devices charged can then help avoid unfavorable circumstances.
- Respect local rituals and customs even if you don’t necessarily agree with them. Respecting local traditions will help you connect more with the locals.
- If you wish to avoid large crowds, the best time to visit most pandals is in the morning or afternoon. Evenings are when the crowd starts to increase, especially during the time of the evening aarti.
- Durga Puja pandals carry with them an authentic taste of West Bengal, thanks to numerous food stalls. So, if you’re willing to try authentic Bengali food here, go a little hungry and be mesmerized by the culinary magic of Bengal!
Summing Up
Durga Puja in Mumbai is a mix of traditional celebrations coupled with the modern spirit of the City of Dreams. Be it Durga Puja pandals in South Bombay or Durga Puja pandals in Navi Mumbai, there are plenty of pandals scattered around the entire MMR.
So, which one of these pandals are you the most excited to visit this year?
