The festival of Durga Puja, one of the grandest celebrations in India, is always marked by devotion, joy, and splendor. Every year, this celebration brings families and friends together to offer prayers to Goddess Durga, signifying the victory of good over evil. For Bollywood celebrities, Durga Puja holds a special place in their hearts, and this year was no exception. The Ashtami celebrations in 2024 saw the crème de la crème of Bollywood, including Alia Bhatt, join veteran actresses Rani Mukerji and Kajol for a grand and emotionally resonant celebration. Alia Bhatt’s presence at this star-studded event not only added more glamour but also emphasized the close-knit bond she shares with the Bollywood fraternity, particularly with actresses like Rani and Kajol. Let’s delve deeper into the details of this celebration, the significance of Durga Puja for these stars, and why this year’s event was particularly special. Durga Puja, especially Ashtami, which is one of the most important days of the festival, holds immense cultural and religious significance for Bengalis worldwide. Celebrated with much fervor in West Bengal, the festival also enjoys grand celebrations in Mumbai, where many Bollywood stars with Bengali roots participate in the festivities. Ashtami, the eighth day of the festival, is traditionally considered the peak of the Durga Puja celebrations. On this day, devotees perform Anjali, offering flowers to the goddess, and partake in various cultural rituals and events. For Rani Mukerji and Kajol, Durga Puja is a personal affair. Both actresses, known for their Bengali heritage, have been seen year after year participating in the Puja with family and friends. The Mukerji family, in particular, is known for hosting one of the grandest and most authentic Durga Puja pandals in Mumbai. This year, Alia Bhatt joined in on the festivities, showcasing her close connection with the Mukerji family. Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s leading actresses, is often seen celebrating various festivals and has always been a part of important events in the industry. Her participation in Durga Puja 2024, however, took many by surprise as she isn’t typically seen at such public pujas. Alia, who married Ranbir Kapoor and welcomed a baby girl, Raha, has always emphasized the importance of family and traditions. Her appearance at the Ashtami celebration was a significant moment for her fans and the media alike. Dressed in a stunning traditional Bengali saree, Alia epitomized grace and elegance. Her fashion choices have often been praised, and she did not disappoint this time either. Her attire was a perfect blend of simplicity and festivity, complementing the traditional Bengali cultural aesthetics. Alia’s choice to embrace the Bengali tradition in her wardrobe for the Ashtami Puja was seen as a nod to the cultural diversity and unity that Bollywood celebrates. Alia’s presence was warmly welcomed by Rani Mukerji and Kajol, both of whom share a deep-rooted connection with Durga Puja. The Mukerji family, which includes Rani’s cousins, Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji, have always had a close bond with Alia Bhatt’s family. It’s not uncommon for Bollywood to feel like a big extended family, where celebrations often overlap with professional relationships and personal connections.
Durga Puja 2024: Alia Bhatt joins Rani Mukerji, Kajol’s Ashtami celebrations. See pics
At the Ashtami celebration, pictures of the trio—Alia, Rani, and Kajol—offering prayers to the goddess and engaging in rituals went viral. These images beautifully captured the camaraderie and warmth shared between the actresses. Alia was seen performing Anjali alongside the Mukerji sisters, joining them in the traditional offering of flowers and prayers to Goddess Durga. The sight of these three powerful women standing together in front of the Durga idol was a visual testament to their deep respect for culture, traditions, and mutual admiration. Apart from Alia Bhatt, Rani Mukerji, and Kajol, the 2024 Ashtami celebration saw several other Bollywood celebrities in attendance. Jaya Bachchan, Ayan Mukerji, and Tanishaa Mukerji were also part of the festivities. These stars were seen paying their respects and participating in the rituals with great devotion. The event was more than just a celebration of religion and culture—it was a celebration of community. Bollywood celebrities are known to come together during festivals to celebrate not only the occasion but also their shared bonds and friendships. The Durga Puja celebrations serve as an opportunity for the stars to take a break from their hectic schedules and engage in a more personal, spiritual side of life. Alia Bhatt’s attendance at the Ashtami celebration speaks volumes about how Bollywood stars respect and celebrate diverse cultural traditions, even if they don’t belong to that community. Although Alia comes from a Punjabi-Gujarati background, she has always been inclusive and has embraced the various cultures she encounters in her life. Her marriage to Ranbir Kapoor, who comes from a deeply traditional Kapoor family, has further solidified her role as a symbol of modern-day cultural unity in Bollywood. Alia has always been one to advocate for family values and traditions. Whether it is celebrating Diwali with her family or attending public religious events like Durga Puja, she continues to show that despite her stardom, she holds onto her roots. Her appearance at this year’s Durga Puja was symbolic of the love and respect she holds for the extended Bollywood family and their cultural practices. The annual Durga Puja celebrations in Bollywood have become a tradition in their own right. For decades, stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bachchan, and Prosenjit Chatterjee have been part of Durga Puja celebrations across Mumbai. Bollywood’s Bengali stars, in particular, see this festival as a way to reconnect with their heritage while continuing to share their cultural traditions with the rest of the industry. Rani Mukerji and Kajol, being integral parts of this tradition, continue to keep the cultural torch burningb y inviting stars like Alia Bhatt into their fold, they show the younger generation of actors that Bollywood is more than just a film industry it’s a place where traditions are respected, celebrated, and passed down the Durga Puja 2024 Ashtami celebration was not just about offering prayers to Goddess Durga, but also a celebration of Bollywood’s.