Pune: Nandanik Sanstha Celebrates 22nd Durgotsav with Cultural Extravaganza in Koregaon Park
Koregaon Park, 26th September 2025: The 22nd edition of Nandanik Sanstha’s Durgotsav is set to begin at Rohi Villa Palace Grounds, Lane 7, Koregaon Park, from September 28 to October 2, 2025. The five-day celebration promises devotees an immersive experience of devotion, culture, and cuisine.
The festival will commence with Maha Sashti on September 28, followed by Maha Saptami on September 29, Maha Ashtami on September 30—featuring the Sandhi Puja from 1:21 pm to 2:09 pm—Maha Navami on October 1, and culminate with Dashami and Sindoor Khela on October 2.
Speaking about the festival, Sandip Mukherjee, President of Nandanik Sanstha, said, “Every year, we aim to provide a fulfilling darshan and experience to devotees of Ma Durga visiting our pandal. With Navratri starting a few weeks early and rains still persisting, we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure devotees enjoy their time with Ma Durga and the celebrations.”
Mukherjee emphasized the importance of discipline, tradition, and hygiene in the festivities. “Maintaining our rich cultural heritage while ensuring proper sanitation and safety is a top priority. The Protima (Ma Durga’s idol) is crafted from holy mud, hay, and wood, adhering to our age-old customs. We use only re-usable decorations permitted by the PMC and follow a strict ‘no plastic’ policy,” he said.
A Confluence of Culture and Talent
This year’s cultural lineup promises a vibrant mix of music, dance, drama, and literature. Renowned artists from Bengal and local performers will take the stage, alongside in-house programs such as the children’s performance ‘Ray Trilogy’, an all-women drama ‘Shomikoron’, and various dance and music presentations by Nandanik members.
A unique highlight will feature children from C.R. Ranganathan Residential School for Deaf and Dumb and the Pune School and Home for the Blind, performing together. On Ashtami evening, the festival will host a “Hemant Kumar Nite”, with Sagnik Sen from Kolkata performing classic songs of Hemanta Mukherjee. Navami evening will feature a “Bollywood Nite”, with Shantanu Sudame and Shruti Mehendale entertaining the audience with popular hits.
Promoting Entrepreneurship and Bengali Traditions
Durgotsav also serves as a platform for homepreneurs and mompreneurs, with stalls showcasing handloom sarees, jewellery, gifting items, scarves, and more. Artisans and craftsmen from Bengal will display paintings, handicrafts, and handloom products, while the festival’s Boi Mela (book fair) will delight book lovers with a wide selection of Bengali literature.
No Durga Puja celebration is complete without authentic Bengali cuisine, and food enthusiasts can look forward to a variety of dishes. As in previous years, Pratap Caterers from Mumbai will bring their expertise to serve devotees with traditional Bengali fare.
With its blend of devotion, culture, entrepreneurship, and cuisine, Nandanik Sanstha’s 22nd Durgotsav promises to be a memorable celebration for Pune’s community and devotees of Ma Durga.
