Sharod Durga Puja 2024 commenced with great enthusiasm and ceremonial fervour on the morning of October 9, marked by the auspicious Shasti Puja. This five-day festival, which has become a grand cultural and social affair, is weaving its enchanting threads across Navi Mumbai, captivating devotees with its charm.

This year's Durga Puja began with ‘Bodhan’ or ‘Pranpratistha’ on October 8, according to the Bengali Panchang. Durga Puja venues across the city came alive with the rhythmic beats of the ‘Dhaak’, the fragrance of incense sticks, and the sacred chanting of hymns as Maa Durga and her children were ceremoniously welcomed to earth. The evening of Shasti witnessed a colorful ‘Devi-Baran’, following sacred rites like ‘Adhibas’ and ‘Amantran’.

Nirupam Mukherjee, Head Priest of the Navi Mumbai Bengali Association (NMBA) Puja, elaborated on the significance: "On Sashthi, or the sixth day, we invite Devi Durga to earth and worship her as Mahishasur Mardini. She embodies the combined ferocious powers of all the male gods, serving as the protector of righteousness and destroyer of evil. This is why she is depicted riding a lion, carrying weapons in her ten arms."

While celebrating the festivities, the Durga Puja organizers have also emphasized social responsibility. The Navi Mumbai Bengali Association, the oldest Durga Puja organizer in the city, is celebrating its 45th year of unity and festivity at the CIDCO Exhibition Center Auditorium in Vashi. This year’s NMBA Sharodotsav 2024 has adopted the tagline "Zero Waste Event," highlighting a conscious effort towards sustainability. The organizers are encouraging devotees and visitors to make eco-friendly choices by bringing their own bags and water bottles, aiming to reduce waste at the venue.

President of NMBA, Sukanto Nag, informed, "All waste generated during the festivities will be recycled." Devotees are also urged to responsibly enjoy the ‘Bhogprasad’ distributed on Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami by properly segregating wet and dry waste and discarding it appropriately. They are also asked to take back empty sweet and fruit packets to maintain cleanliness at the venue.

In addition to the festivities, NMBA continues its tradition of honouring notable Bengali personalities through ‘Gunijon Samvardhana’. This year, the association has invited prominent figures from various fields, including Padma Shri Dr. Soma Ghosh, an eminent classical vocalist from the Banaras Gharana and adopted daughter of Ustad Bismillah Khan; Prof. Dr. Dipankar Choudhury, former HOD of Civil Engineering at IIT Mumbai; and renowned medical professional Dr. Dipankar Dasgupta.