Kajol serves bhog, mingles with devotees at Mumbai Durga Puja pandal
Synopsis
Kajol's Bijoya video from Mumbai's North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal is a rare window into an 80-year family tradition — one shadowed this year by the absence of Rani Mukerji, who stayed away following the death of her mother Krishna Mukerji, for whom a special tribute was held at the very pandal she helped build.
Key Takeaways
Kajol shared a video from the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Mumbai on Bijoya Dashami, 22 October .
She described the festival through three words: 'Family, Bhakti and Bhog,' in her social media caption.
This year marks the 80th edition of the Mukerji family's Durga Puja, which dates to 1948 .
Rani Mukerji was absent this year following the demise of her mother Krishna Mukerji on 22 September ; a tribute was held at the pandal.
In October 2024 , Kajol's video reprimanding footwear-wearing attendees near the idol had gone viral.
Actress Kajol on Wednesday, 22 October offered an intimate look at her Durga Puja celebrations, sharing a video compilation from the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Mumbai on the occasion of Bijoya Dashami. The moments — ranging from serving bhog to devotees to interacting affectionately with a little girl — quickly drew warm reactions on social media.
What Kajol Shared
Captioning the video, Kajol wrote: 'Family, Bhakti and Bhog! The three things that the pujos are strung together with,' accompanied by folded-hands emoticons and the hashtags #jaimaadurga and #shubhobijoya. The compilation showed her dressed in a bright yellow saree paired with a navy-blue blouse, traditional jhumkas, and blue bangles.
Among the standout moments was an exchange with a little girl dressed in a pink frock, who blew a kiss toward the actress — and Kajol responded with equal warmth. She was also seen serving bhog to visiting devotees, greeting the crowd with a wide smile, and standing with folded hands in prayer as the Aarti proceeded.
An 80-Year Family Legacy
Kajol's presence at the pandal is more than a celebrity appearance — it is a family tradition. She has been a regular at the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja alongside her sister Tanishaa Mukerji and other members of the Mukerji family. This year marks the 80th edition of the celebration, continuing a legacy that dates to 1948, when it was established by filmmaker Sashadhar Mukherjee, his wife Satirani Mukerji, and other founding members.
The tradition has been carried forward through generations of the family, making it one of Mumbai's most storied Durga Puja observances.
Rani Mukerji's Absence and a Special Tribute
This year's festivities were marked by a notable absence: actress Rani Mukerji did not attend, following the passing of her mother, Krishna Mukerji, on 22 September. Krishna Mukerji had been deeply associated with the family's Durga Puja tradition, and a special tribute was held in her memory at the pandal.
Kajol's Pandal Moments Have Gone Viral Before
The actress's appearances at the celebration have drawn social media attention in previous years as well. In October 2024, a video of her firmly asking attendees wearing footwear near the idol to step aside — and urging the crowd not to push against the barricades — went viral, drawing largely positive reactions for her no-nonsense approach to maintaining sanctity at the venue.
With the 80th edition now concluded, the Mukerji family's Durga Puja tradition moves forward into its next chapter.
Point of View
But the story underneath is more textured: this is an 80-year-old community institution built by the Mukerji family, now navigating grief alongside celebration. Rani Mukerji's absence — and the in-pandal tribute to Krishna Mukerji — adds a layer of emotional weight that most coverage glosses over. The durability of this tradition, across eight decades and multiple generations, is the real news, not just the saree or the bhog.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Kajol celebrate Durga Puja in 2026?
Kajol celebrated Durga Puja at the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in Mumbai, a tradition she has maintained for years alongside the Mukerji family. She shared a video from the event on Bijoya Dashami, 22 October 2026.
What is the significance of the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja?
It is one of Mumbai's oldest Durga Puja observances, founded in 1948 by filmmaker Sashadhar Mukherjee and his wife Satirani Mukerji. This year marked its 80th edition, with the tradition carried forward through generations of the Mukerji family.
Why did Rani Mukerji skip Durga Puja this year?
Rani Mukerji did not attend the 2026 celebrations following the death of her mother, Krishna Mukerji, on 22 September. A special tribute to Krishna Mukerji, who was closely associated with the family's Durga Puja tradition, was held at the pandal.
What did Kajol do at the Durga Puja pandal?
Kajol served bhog to devotees, interacted warmly with a little girl who blew her a kiss, greeted the crowd, and offered prayers during the Aarti. She wore a bright yellow saree with a navy-blue blouse and traditional jewellery.
Why did Kajol's pandal video go viral in October 2024?
In October 2024, a video of Kajol asking attendees wearing footwear near the idol to step aside and urging the crowd not to push against barricades went viral. It drew largely positive reactions for her direct approach to maintaining the sanctity of the space.
