Nyrraa M Banerji on Celebrating Durga Puja in Mumbai: ‘We Mumbaikars Are No Less Than Calcutta’

For 33-year-old actress Nyrraa M Banerji, Durga Puja is more than just a festival; it is an emotion deeply rooted in family, faith, cultural values, and cherished childhood memories. Born and brought up in Mumbai, Nyrraa has always celebrated Durga Puja with her family in the city, embracing the traditions, customs, and devotion associated with the auspicious occasion. While her family’s roots connect them to Calcutta, Mumbai has always been the heart of their Durga Puja celebrations, giving them the opportunity to stay connected to their heritage while celebrating the festival in their own city.

Although Nyrraa was very young when she visited Calcutta, she still has fond memories of the experience. During one of their visits to meet relatives, her family members took them around the city, where they enjoyed some of the best food and had the opportunity to see their grandmother. While her memories of the trip are limited because of her young age, the visit remains a special connection to her family’s roots and the city that holds an important place in their history.

Speaking about her childhood memories of Calcutta, Nyrraa shares, “I was very, very small when we visited Calcutta, so I don’t remember everything in detail. I remember that when we went there to meet our relatives, they took us out, we ate some of the best food, and I got to see my grandmother. Those little memories are very precious to me because Calcutta is connected to my family’s roots. However, I have always celebrated Durga Puja in Mumbai with my family, and that is where most of my festive memories have been created. Growing up in Mumbai, I have experienced the beauty of celebrating this festival here, and it has always been incredibly special to me.”

For Nyrraa, being a Mumbaikar has never meant being any less connected to the traditions and cultural richness associated with Durga Puja. She believes that Mumbai celebrates the festival with the same devotion, enthusiasm, and respect for customs as Calcutta. From beautifully decorated pandals and traditional rituals to families coming together to seek Maa Durga’s blessings, the festive atmosphere in Mumbai reflects the same spirit of togetherness and faith that makes Durga Puja so special in Bengal.

Sharing her thoughts on the celebrations in Mumbai and how the city embraces the festival, Nyrraa says, “I genuinely believe that we Mumbaikars are no less than people in Calcutta when it comes to celebrating Durga Puja. We follow our customs, respect our traditions, uphold our cultural values, and celebrate with the same love and devotion for Maa Durga. Mumbai gives you those beautiful Durga Puja vibes too; the pandals, the festive atmosphere, the rituals, the food, and the way everyone comes together make the experience equally special. For me, it is never about comparing two cities but about celebrating the same faith and emotion wherever we are. Mumbai has its own charm, but when Durga Puja arrives, you can feel that same excitement, warmth, and spiritual connection here. I celebrate with my family in Mumbai, and I feel proud that our city embraces this beautiful festival with so much love while keeping its cultural traditions and values alive.”

Over the years, Mumbai has developed its own vibrant Durga Puja celebrations, bringing together communities from different cultural backgrounds while preserving the essence of the festival. For people like Nyrraa, who have grown up in the city with family roots elsewhere, these celebrations offer a beautiful reminder that traditions do not have to be limited by geography. The devotion to Maa Durga, the importance of family, and the joy of celebrating together remain the same, whether one is in Calcutta or Mumbai.

For Nyrraa, Durga Puja is ultimately about faith, family, and staying connected to one’s roots. While Calcutta remains a part of her family’s story, Mumbai is where she continues to celebrate the festival with her loved ones, creating memories and carrying forward the customs and values passed down through generations.

Her perspective reflects the spirit of a city that welcomes traditions with open arms and celebrates them with immense enthusiasm. For Nyrraa M Banerji, Mumbai is not merely a place where Durga Puja is celebrated; it is home to the same devotion, cultural pride, and festive energy that make the occasion so meaningful. And when Maa Durga arrives, Mumbai, too, comes alive with the magic of the festival.