Kajol writes moving note while sharing glimpses from Durga Puja celebrations

The Mukerji family marked the beginning of their Durga Puja celebrations this year with a mix of devotion and emotion. The festival, which the family observes every year, carries a different weight this time after the passing of Deb Mukherjee, who had been closely associated with the celebrations.

On the seventh day of Navratri, Kajol shared a series of pictures from the pandal on her social media, accompanied by a heartfelt caption. She wrote, “The unveiling… such an emotional moment… to step on the pandal after this past year and all our losses, somehow it was dearer and at the same time so tough to do… we miss them all.”

In the photographs, Kajol was seen wearing a cream silk saree with a red blouse, while Rani Mukerji chose a white saree with a floral border. Their cousin, filmmaker Ayan Mukerji, joined them in a white kurta-pyjama. Kajol’s sister, Tanishaa Mukerji, also took part in the rituals, dressed in a lemon-coloured saree.

A video circulating online captured an emotional moment when Kajol, Rani, and Tanishaa were seen with teary eyes as they embraced each other, visibly missing their late uncle.

Tanishaa Mukerji on carrying forward Deb Mukherjee’s legacy

Speaking to IANS about this year’s puja, Tanishaa said the celebrations are layered with both sadness and joy. “It is a time of little sadness for our family, along with a little excitement, because this year there have been three deaths in our family. Our Debu Kaka, who used to organise Durga Puja every year, is no more, and for us it would be a little difficult to attend the puja this time. However, there is a lot of excitement as well because we are taking his dream forward.”

She further added that Deb Mukherjee had always envisioned the festivities growing bigger and brighter each year, and the family is determined to honour that vision. Their efforts this year also include plans to share the spirit of the celebrations through social media, keeping his memory alive while celebrating the strength of tradition.