Festive Spirit in Pune: Ashtami Celebrations Across the City
By Sneha Deb
Pune, 30th September 2025 : Ashtami, a significant day in the Hindu calendar, is celebrated across India with devotion and enthusiasm. In Pune, the festival is marked by vibrant rituals, community gatherings, and cultural events. The day is primarily dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga, though local traditions may include reverence for other deities as well.
Celebrations and Rituals
The day began with puja, as devotees gathered to offer pushpanjali with deep reverence. This was followed by the distribution of bhog prasad, a wholesome feast featuring an array of specialties. Highlights of the meal included traditional khichuri, labra, and begun bhaja, complemented by classic Bengali sweets such as payesh and sandesh, adding a delightful touch of sweetness to the celebrations.
During Navratri, Ashtami—also called Durga Ashtami or Maha Ashtami—is observed with a combination of rituals, fasting, and festivities. Many families performed Kanya Puja, where nine young girls, symbolizing the nine forms of Goddess Durga, are worshipped and offered food, gifts, and new clothes.
Cultural Events and Community Gatherings
Evening celebrations came alive at Durga Puja pandals with the rhythmic dhunuchi naach and a variety of cultural performances including music, dance, and drama. Navratri festivities were further enlivened by energetic Dandiya and Garba nights.
Agomoni Prabasi Sangha conducted the Sandhya Aarti at 7 PM, followed by a cultural program. The highlight of the evening was a performance by renowned playback singer Adrija Chakraborty and her team from Kolkata, entertaining audiences until 10:30 PM.
Agradoot Bangosamaj celebrated its eighth year of Durga Utsav with a grand event, featuring a live performance by the celebrated folk music group DoharFlok from Kolkata, which began at 8 PM on the community grounds.
Must-Visit Durga Puja Pandals in Pune
Nandanik Sansthan – Rohi Village, Koregaon Park
Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad (BSS) – Viman Nagar
Agomoni Prabasi Sangha – Baner-Pashan Link Road
Oikyotan Bangiyo Parishad – PCMC
Congress Bhawan – Shivajinagar
Khadki Kali Bari – 254/B, Park Road, Khadki
Agradoot Bangosamaj Durga Puja – Karadi
AFMC Durga Puja – Pune Cantonment
Rohi Villa Palace – Lane Seven, Koregaon Park
Ashtami celebrations in Pune beautifully reflect the city’s cultural diversity, with both Durga Puja and Navratri observed with equal fervor. From pushpanjali to Sandhya Aartis, and from dhunuchi dances to Garba and Dandiya nights, residents experience a rich tapestry of cultural traditions, making Ashtami not only a spiritual observance but also a vibrant celebration of Pune’s inclusive heritage.
