Final weekend of Navratra sees robust turnout as rain keeps away

MUMBAI: A respite from rain over the past three days pleased pandal hoppers and dancers at garba pandals. The dry spell has come at an opportune time since the 10.00pm deadline for loudspeakers extended to midnight on Sunday and Monday, ashtami and navami.
"Despite holding a season's pass to Falguni Pathak's garba I had missed three days owing to the rain. Since Thursday though I have not skipped a single day," said Sumita Mistry of Goregaon.
Highland Garden in Thane has fashioned a charming, ornate pandal made of hay and bamboo courtesy the Bangiya Parishad Durgotsav.The set resembles a Thaner Gola or traditional hut where freshly harvested paddy is stored. Secretary Sanjay Saha said, "Forty artisans had been working on it since Ganesh Chaturthi. Last week's torrential showers soaked the pandal, causing us immense anxiety. But thankfully the hay dries when you rest it at an incline." This 54-year-old puja is the oldest in Thane.
Singer Abhijeet supervised the bhog arrangements at his Lokhandwala pandal Sunday afternoon. Subal Mitra who arrived with his family from Aarey Colony said, "We have come from Goregaon especially for the khichdi, mixed vegetable, begun bhaja, chutney and kheer kadamb served here. All devotees are seated in an enclosed space and the arrangements are flawless."
Nearby D N Nagar and Manish Nagar drew large crowds as well.
Also pleased with the dry spell is the Vikhroli Bengali Association in Tagore Nagar which made lavish arrangements to serve bhog on all Puja days. "Footfalls have increased since the rain ebbed. Our venue is ideally suited to the pandal hopper's itinerary since we are centrally located in Tagore Nagar, a minute's drive from Eastern Express Highway. We are in the middle of pandals in Chembur, Powai, Bhandup and Mulund," said spokesman Suman Pandit.
The ladies-only Durga Puja at Goregaon hosted nearly 1,500 people at its ashtami bhog Sunday. The 40 ladies of the Aparajita Mahila Welfare Association (AMWA) say its "most attractive feature" is that other than the pujaris and drum beaters "there is no requirement for the man".
Treasurer Rina Bhatta said, "Despite heavy showers this past week our pandal stayed dry and safe because we have properly enclosed it at a cost of Rs 6.50 lakh."