Durga Puja 2017

At the Lokhandwala Durga Puja pandal today 

Durga Puja began today with a customary visit to the neighboring pandal after the exercises. It was Mahasashti, the sixth day of the ongoing Navratra festivities. The Durga idol, resplendent in traditional finery, had just been installed and looked bright and welcoming in the early morning light. More than that, we could have the place all to ourselves as the crowds had not yet descended.
The action however, was localised at the Garden with members demanding that Siba Prasad Maitra provide entry passes to the entertainment programmes scheduled every evening, beginning today. The Durga Puja at Tulip Hotel in Juhu, of which Maitra is a senior member, boasts of a star line-up that includes Sonu Nigam, Shaan and Meet Bros over the next four days.
Quite clearly, Maitra was expecting to be mobbed, which probably explained why he showed up rather late today. But being the quintessential gentleman, he did not disappoint anyone and promised to do his best. He even invited us to the lavish and much-in-demand bhog hosted by the Puja every afternoon.
Meanwhile, in the Garden Fahmida Khan distributed pedas she had picked up from a recent visit to Nagpur. Her mother is unwell and she was there to see her. In all her “running around” (as she put it) she remembered us.

Banoo Apa treats us all to lassi

Fahmida gets pedas from Nagpur

The good news is that her mother is recovering fast.
The other important event of the morning was the lassi Banoo Apa brought for us. It was unusually hot and sticky during the exercises and nothing could have been as invigorating as this chilled refreshment, sweetened to perfection. There was however, a reason for us to get so lucky today. After Geeta Latte broke down yesterday (see post), Banoo Apa promised to treat her to lassi if only she stopped sobbing. We all got included in the treat, thanks to her.
Surely it pays to be a cry-baby once in a while.

Geeta Latte on WhatsApp:
Thank you so-ooooo much, dear Banoo Aunty. Lassi bahut achchi thi And wow, such beautiful pictures 👍👍!

Bhaswati Bose on WhatsApp:
Lipsmacking lassi! Just what we needed on a hot, humid morning. Thanks Banoo Apa.

Kajal Babani on WhatsApp:
Thanks, Banoo Apa!

Kiran Prakash on WhatsApp:
Fir shuru ho gaya Banoo Apa ka khilana... Thank you Banoo Apa.

Razia Khan on WhatsApp:
Thank you so-oooo much for your lovely and very tasty lassi and biscuits. Really I am very much thankful. God bless you. Take care and all the best.

Banoo Apa on WhatsApp:
My dear friends, you people have been drinking and eating whatever I get with so much love. So instead of you thanking me, I am thankful to you for giving me so much honour and respect.

Dilip Babani:
Very nice lassi, Banoo Apa-ji. Thank you very much. God bless you.