Kajol, Tanuja Inaugurate 80th North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja in Mumbai

Bollywood actor Kajol, her mother and veteran actress Tanuja, and sister Tanishaa Mukerji inaugurated the 80th edition of the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja in Mumbai on Durga Panchami. The annual celebration brought together several members of the Mukerji family, continuing a tradition that has remained an important part of their cultural and religious life for generations.

Kajol shared photographs from the festivities on Instagram, expressing her devotion to Goddess Durga and the significance of the occasion. Reflecting on the different forms of the goddess, she wrote that the day was about “Maa” as a mother, daughter, protector and goddess, adding that the celebrations had begun.

Tanishaa Mukerji also posted pictures from the event, describing Durga Puja as her favourite time of the year. The gathering included filmmaker Ayan Mukerji and actor Sharbani Mukherjee, along with other relatives. Their presence highlighted the family’s longstanding connection with the annual festivities.

Established in 1948, the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja was founded by filmmaker Sashadhar Mukherjee, founder of Filmalaya Studio, his wife Satirani Mukerji, J M Bhadra and 26 other members. The first celebrations took place at Sri Mandal Hall, also known as Poddar School, in Santacruz, Mumbai.

The event subsequently moved to the Tulip Star Hotel in Juhu before finding its present location near SNDT Women’s University in the same neighbourhood. Over the decades, it has grown into one of Mumbai’s prominent Durga Puja celebrations, attracting devotees and members of the film industry.

Veteran actor Deb Mukherjee, Ayan Mukerji’s father, played an important role in organising the puja until his death in 2025. The family has continued to uphold the tradition despite personal losses. Actor Rani Mukerji, a regular participant in the celebrations, may remain absent this year following the death of her mother, Krishna Mukherjee, on September 22. The 80th edition nevertheless marks another milestone in the family’s enduring association with the festival.