The Durga Puja pandal organised by the Aamantran group for the 18th year in the city at BT Kawade Road; a group of visitors participating in the celebrations engaged in a lively discussion at the ‘pujo’r adda’
Having learnt that festivities had begun and the Goddess’s idol was on display, she dropped by, only to run into two old friends from Hinjewadi. The Durga Puja pandal organised by the Aamantran group for the 18th year in the city at BT Kawade Road; a group of visitors participating in the celebrations engaged in a lively discussion at the ‘pujo’r adda’ The Durga Puja pandal organised by the Aamantran group for the 18th year in the city at BT Kawade Road; a group of visitors participating in the celebrations engaged in a lively discussion at the ‘pujo’r adda’ The Durga Puja pandal organised by the Aamantran group for the 18th year in the city at BT Kawade Road; a group of visitors participating in the celebrations engaged in a lively discussion at the ‘pujo’r adda’ The Durga Puja pandal organised by the Aamantran group for the 18th year in the city at BT Kawade Road; a group of visitors participating in the celebrations engaged in a lively discussion at the ‘pujo’r adda’ Pune: For Kavita Jena, a young mother residing in Shivajinagar, a visit to the Congress Bhavan Durga Puja pandal on Thursday evening turned into an unexpected reunion.
“Each day is getting tougher, and there is too much pressure,” she said. How much more should I work?” he said. “It is time for some song and celebration,” this reporter heard them declare, as they looked for chairs to settle down and enjoy the evening. We should also be restrained in our celebrations when so many people are in distress,” he said. “I hope Maa Durga listens to our prayers and things improve,” he said.
At Congress Bhavan, a group of middle-aged friends dressed in colourful sarees and kurtas gathered for an evening of conversation. Amid jokes and laughter, one of them voiced concern about the increasingly uncertain job market. Another working professional agreed. “There is so much talk about AI and constant reminders to work more. A woman in the group added that she had to plead for a week’s leave to attend the festivities. But not everyone at the pandal was discussing life’s uncertainties. A group of young women in sarees had their attention firmly on the food stalls, waiting for pani puri, cutlets and rolls. After spotting the stalls that had opened, they huddled together and burst out laughing. Their discussion began with last-minute preparations before moving to the grand Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata. His friend, however, pointed out that they involved considerable expenditure. “There is a drought in Maharashtra this year. Another man brought up a relative in West Asia and the impact of global tensions.
Conversations also took on a reflective turn at a small pandal in Wanowrie on Friday afternoon, where four elderly men sat before the deity with cups of tea.
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The ‘adda’ session reminded us of the things we used to do a few years ago,” she told TOI . Last year, too, the adda was great fun,” she told TOI . “I am not Bengali, but spending time with friends before the Goddess is a lovely way to reconnect and escape work stress, even if only for a few days,” she added.
“It was a pleasant surprise. I had not met them for almost seven months, though we occasionally chatted on WhatsApp. Motherhood has kept me busy, and I had to leave my job. After a long time, the three of us sat together, chatting over snacks and beverages. The trio has already planned another reunion at a Koregaon Park pandal in the next couple of days. Once an occasion to unwind with friends over light-hearted banter, Durga Puja’s traditional ‘pujo’r adda’ is evolving. Alongside laughter and nostalgia, conversations now touch on job insecurity, workplace pressure, personal struggles and current affairs. From Maharashtra’s drought and the West Asia crisis to Pune’s traffic woes and crumbling roads, the pandals have become spaces to exchange worries as much as to celebrate. For Koregaon Park resident Anisha Patel, who runs a small business, festivities offer a welcome break from work. She has been invited by three friends to meet over the next few days at the pandal at Rohi Villa. “We plan to catch up, sit back, relax, eat and have fun. We also may go pandal-hopping, particularly to Khadki, and then return. For many Pune residents, pandals offer places to revive old friendships, share anxieties, exchange perspectives and find comfort in familiar company — with a little laughter and food thrown in. Download the TOI App.