Durga Puja 2025: Aagomoni Prabasi Sangh Gears Up for Pune’s Grand Six-Day Celebration with Pet-Friendly Pandal
Pune, 12th August 2025: The vibrant hues of Bengal’s biggest festival will soon light up Pune as Aagomoni Prabasi Sangh prepares for its 8th edition of Durga Puja celebrations. Set to take place at the Baner–Pashan Link Road, this year’s festivities promise six days of grandeur, cultural performances, and a warm invitation to all, including four-legged friends — making it Pune’s first pet-friendly pandal.
Durga Puja, often described as more than a festival, is an emotion that brings together people from all religions, regions, and languages. It is a time when families immerse themselves in rituals, food, music, and community bonding, while welcoming Maa Durga back to her paternal home.
The celebrations will officially begin with Khuti Pujo on September 7 — a ritual that marks the worship of bamboo pillars before the pandal construction begins. “Khuti Pujo marks that the most favourite festival is not far away,” said Rajesh Burman, General Secretary of Aagomoni Prabasi Sangh.
Burman shared that this year’s Durga idol will be both eco-friendly and the largest they have ever created. “To save Mother Nature, the Durga idol is made from eco-friendly materials. This year, we are having the biggest and tallest idol of Durga Ma — 22 feet in width and 16 feet in height — adorned in an elaborate shimmery Sonar Saaj, resembling intricate designs and patterns,” he said.
The preparations are in full swing, with raw materials already arriving and construction soon to commence over a sprawling one lakh square feet. The venue will have separate sections for cultural performances, a designated bhog area, and an activity zone.
After Khuti Pujo, the festivities will move towards Mahalaya Amavasya, followed by Ghatsthapana on September 22, marking the formal beginning of the Durga Puja. “When we formed this socio-cultural organisation in 2018, our aim was to bring people together through traditions. This is our 8th year, and we continue to celebrate with the same enthusiasm,” Burman added.
The six-day celebration will feature in-house cultural programmes, kichuri bhog (prasad), and Anondo Mela, a fair offering homemade Bengali delicacies prepared by the committee members. The festival will also include charitable initiatives such as a blood donation camp, health check-up camp, and spot eye testing.
Visitors can look forward to a variety of offerings:
Complimentary bhog for members and their families (including khichuri, begun bhaja, basanti pulao, labra, chutney, and payesh or sweets)
More than 700 car parking spaces
Pet-friendly facilities
Burman emphasised the festival’s open-door policy: “Our Durga Puja is open to all. We don’t believe in any special treatment or VIP passes. It is open to every religious community who wishes to join us with their families — and even pets.”
Durga Puja is not just about rituals; it fosters unity, preserves traditions, and boosts the local economy through tourism, food, and artisanship. As Pune gears up for this cultural extravaganza, Aagomoni Prabasi Sangh invites the city to be part of what promises to be a celebration of joy, prosperity, and togetherness.
Contact:
Rajesh Burman, General Secretary
Phone: 92844 44086
Website: www.aagomoni.com
