With Navratri upon us, aren’t you girls already buying the perfect mirror-and-shell ghagra choli from Bhuleshwar market and polishing your Dandiya sticks? Did the weight loss programs begin months in advance so that you could look perfect in your navel and back showing attires and flaunt your moves on the dance floor? All of those precious efforts shouldn’t go to waste simply by being in the wrong place. So we bring you a list of the most happening pandals in Mumbai this Navratri.
1.Goregaon Sports Club – This is where the renowned Sankalp Dandiya Navratri Group hosts their evergreen hit of an event every year. Legendary performer, Falguni Pathak, or Rahul Vaidya and Group will get you to dance to their tunes in a matter of seconds. This is the most popular pandal and the majority’s favorite year after year. It is on Link Road, Malad West.
2.Kora Kendra Ground – One of the costliest and most difficult pandals to get into, the Kora Kendra Navratri Mahotsav has the queue in waiting outside it multiplying with each passing year. It has the most number of famous bands and performers entertaining you through the nine nights of Navratri. This is located in Borivali West.
3.Mhada Ground – The Musa Paik Navratri Utsav takes place on these grounds. The clitter-clatter of a million Dandiya sticks happens in perfect sync with the exciting music of the Musa Paik And Crazy Beats band. The frenzied tunes will keep you on your feet for hours on end so wearing the heavy ‘assi kali ka lehenga’ is not advised if you’re at this ground, which is located at Malvani, Malad West.
4.Malpani Ground – The increasingly popular Meera Navratri Utsav happens on Malpani Grounds every year. Veteran performers, Shravan Rathod. Sanjiv, Darshan and Bipin Chunawala make sure that your feet might get exhausted but their music won’t all night long. You can find this event happening at Chandan Kunj, Borivali West.
5.Somaiya College Ground – The ones who make the colors of your ghagra swish with every twist in their melody at these grounds are the pop musical duo, Preity and Pinky. They have been performing since the ages of five and seven. They have even performed a few hit numbers from Bollywood. To join in their gaiety, make sure you’re at Vidyavihar East.
6.Police Hockey Ground – This is another place for which you must book your passes in advance; because the ‘Wadhwa Raas’ takes place here. Perfomers such as Suyash Setpal, Harshit Chauhan, Priya Patidar and Priya Panchal sing flamboyant declarations of their devotion to the Devi and a lot of pop numbers to keep you moving. So if you found yourself at this ground, near the Eastern Express Highway at Ghatkopar East, rest assured, you won’t have a moment to sit and catch your breath all night.
7.Essel World – A Navratri event in a gigantic amusement park? Why not? The grounds of Essel World at Gorai Island are brilliantly lit to transform the place into an unrecognizable Navratri wonderland. With performers such as Vatsala, Bihari Hemu Gadhvi and Raja, you would find yourselves repeating the famous ad lines ‘Essel World Mein Rahunga Main, Ghar Nahi Jaunga Main!’
8.Tulip Star – If you want more to click your sticks more to the latest songs then Tulip Star on Juhu Tara Road is where you want to be during Navratri. The famous singer, Bhumi Trivedi, who has sung in recent Bollywood movies such as Ram-Leela, performs here. This is where the parties for Navratri happen and there are good chances of celeb spotting.
9.Kamgar Krida Mandal – This South Mumbai Navratri Festival has been organized by Broad Scope Media Pvt. Ltd. as n initiative towards ‘Ashiyana’, an NGO for Old Age Home. Performers include ‘The Beaters’, who propagate New Age Navratri and bring about a revolution in the traditional music, and Maneesha Savla, the famous singer whose melodious voice and versatility drives her fans crazy. Here, you could beat your sticks and blister your feet a bit more for a cause. This ground is on Senapati Bapat Marg, Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar, Tulsi Pipe Road, Dadar West.
So, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from. Usually, the passes for these are booked way in advance, so no further delays are advised. You could even visit all nine places on the nine days and come home to sore feet, a tired yet contented and sleepy smile each night with one more place to check off your list. Whatever you do, remember to enjoy and celebrate the festival to it’s fullest!