As the Bengali community around the world gears up for the most auspicious carnival of the year, 'Durgapuja,' commencing on 20th October and culminating on 24th October with Vijaya Dasami or Dassera, Navi Mumbai is no exception to the festive fervour. Seawood Cultural Welfare Association is all set to celebrate its 15th year of Durgapuja from 18th to 24th October at Ganpat Sheth Tandel Exhibition Ground, Seawoods, a convenient location adjacent to Palm Beach Road and Nexus Seawoods Mall. This year's pandal theme, "Dalan Bari," has been meticulously crafted by artisans from West Bengal using eco-friendly materials, such as wood, bamboo, cloth, and traditional tali (olden days ceiling made with soil and bricks). The preparations are in full swing to bring "Rural Bengal" to the heart of Navi Mumbai.

The festivities will include a variety of stalls offering handicrafts, clothing, and delectable cuisine. Every year, SWCWA presents special exhibits to promote ancient rural handicrafts among the craft enthusiasts of Mumbai. This year, the Association is going the extra mile by inviting a group of weavers from Birbhum, West Bengal, to showcase their exquisite Kantha stitch garments and sarees. The artisans will demonstrate original Kantha work and display a wide range of Kantha creations. Additionally, wooden toy makers from Bankura, West Bengal, will be present to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic toys and to showcase their wooden alternatives.

The cultural soiree in the evenings will feature performances by in-house talents and renowned artists during the four-day Durgapuja celebration. From the 19th to the 23rd of October, there will be a diverse array of cultural programs, including live performances by celebrated artists such as Priyanka Mitra, Alok Katdare, and Shadhu Das Baul. City-based danseuse Sharmistha Chatterjee will enchant the audience with an Odissi recital, and Kathak by Somoja and songs by Baishali Majumder will be additional highlights. The festivities will also include children's plays, dramas, and Baul geet to entertain Durga Pandal visitors.

SWCWA, as in previous years, remains committed to promoting folk arts. This year, special group performances like "Dhunuchi Dance" on Saptami, the "Sandhi Puja" to celebrate the Festival of Lights on Ashtami, and a unique "Sindur Khela" on Vijaya Dashami will captivate every visitor. The Association has several welfare activities in the pipeline, including performances by visually impaired artists, donations to orphanages, free medical camps, yoga and wellness sessions, expert talks, and much more. The Durga Puja hosted by SWCWA promises to evoke the nostalgic flavour of Durga Puja while promoting the rich culture and handicrafts of Rural Bengal.

And, to make this celebration even more special, 'bhog' will be distributed for free to all the devotees on Saptami, Ashtami, and Nabami afternoons.