Navratri Golu Decorations - Ideas and Tips

Navarathri Kolu - Importance & Procedures....

Dear All..,

Just want to share this INFO With u all....


In Southern states of Tamil Nadu and to a lesser extent in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the festival of Navrathri is called Kolu or Navratri Golu, where women set up decorated planks in a corner of the house and decorating it with dolls which are collected over the years. The origin of the word Kolu can be traced to Tamil Kolu or Telugu Koluvai, which means a sovereign sitting in his royal durbar. As per belief the concept of arranging these Navrathri dolls on the plank is to depict that Goddess Mahishasuramardini is sitting in her Kolu, prior to the slaying of the demon Mahishasura.
The dolls are only decorated during these ten days but the collection of dolls may have started over years. These dolls can be very simple to very complicated ones as per ones likes. Every year women enthusiastically arrange these dolls as per their tastes. They either remodify the existing dolls with some new additions or they add couple of new dolls to the existing stacks to decorate the plank every year.

These Navratri dolls are arranged in several tiers. Maximum no of tiers in which dolls are arranged are 9 depending on time and space constraints.

Steps 1-3: These steps are dedicated to— are devoted to the Gods. So all the different idols ofvarious Gods are arranged here. The kumbham or the ceremonial jar for holy water, which is a conical vessel, is filled with fresh water. A silk cloth covers the mouth of the vessel, a coconut and mango leaves are placed on top of it. This is kept on the first step.

Steps 4-6: The next three steps are devoted to saints like Sai Baba, great men like Swami Vivekananda, demigods and even national leaders who have sacrificed their lives for the country.

Steps 7: Various sets such as the marriage set and pongal set, which signify the various human activities, are placed on the seventh step.

Steps 8: The eighth step is devoted to various businesses and crafts, say the Chettiar dolls (equivalent of Sethji)—a businessman and his wife are placed and their commodities like rice, pulses in cups and other utensils are kept in front of them.

Step 9: The ninth step is the last stage where the traditional wooden dolls called Marapachi — the male and female dolls that are dressed in colorful and shining clothes — are placed. Dolls of animals, birds, reptiles and other forms of evolution are also kept on this step.

On the 10th night after the ceremonial arti and prayers, the dolls are put to ‘sleep.’ And the next day, the exhibits are packed carefully in cloth or paper and preserved for use the next year. Another novel trend is the concept of `community kolus’, when many women, unable to keep kolu in their homes, join hands and put up a Navratri kolu in a common place.

Arranging Navrathri Kolu is also an event in itself it means inviting neighbors, friends and other relatives to visit your home and view the Kolu decorated. Pleasantries and small gifts are exchanged amongst women generally women exchange coconuts, cloths and sweets amongst themselves. Sumangali (married) women also exchange bags containing a small mirror, turmeric, comb, beetle leaves with supari.

Hope it was Useful....

Sowmya Raman

 

Re: Navarathiri Golu

I think there are some websites like hasvini.com,navrathri.com and sisshopping.com which have golu dolls and sets which you find in India. For a park I lay aluminium foil on the floor and buy green confetti from michaels(they have very fine ones) to resemble grass. I also have a farm set which has 60 animals plants and stones from target for $10. You can put a fountain or use a small tupperware and line it with blue sheet and pour water to resemble a pond. I also use my daughters barnyard and trucks and use cardboard to build roads. I also have some fences from michaels from the wood section. Hope this helps.

 

Navratri Pooja

Hi,

Can any one tell me the pooja to be performed/chanted during Navratri...

I have been fasting for all the Nine days of avratri since collage days, but now I have got to know that there are special prayers to be offered , which I am unaware of...

I do keep the kalash and also have the nine days colour dress for the kalash.

Awaiting your replies..

thanks

 

Re: Navarathri Kolu - Importance & Procedures....

Here is a step by step method on how to perform Navratri Puja.

Getting Ready

Get the house cleaned and ready.You are inviting Goddess into the home.Usually this is done on the Amavasi day,a day before the beginning of Navratri.Mango leaf festoons are installed on doors, windows and in puja room.Fresh Kolams are drawn.If you are keeping Kolu,get all the Kolu dolls ready.Repair broken pieces and use natural colors to paint them.Decide upon the Bommai Kolu Theme.Plan early about the pooja prasadam(neivedya)and also about gifts that you plan to give to women guests.

Requirements for Navratri Puja:

If you are keeping Kolu dolls,purchase new dolls at least a couple of new ones.most important doll needed is Marapachi dolls(Male and Female pair of dolls).A pot for Kalasha or Kumbha(brass pot)Face of Goddess to be stuck on Kalasha.Some people do not opt for this. Sweets.Ingredients of the Prasadam to be prepared (this depends on what neivediya you are preparing) Betel leaves Betel nuts Bananas Coconut Usual fruits

Usual pooja items like lamp,incense,agarbathis etc.Lotus flower for Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Lakshmi.Jasmine for Durga.Avoid wild flowers.

If you are giving gifts to women invited for Navratri Pooja,then the bag should contain betel leaves,betel nuts,a pair of round turmeric roots,a coconut,fruits,sweets,flowers,a small gift.You can also include cosmetics like eye kohl,kumkuma,bangles,comb etc.

A day before Navratri Puja:

Navaratri Puja begins on the Bhadrapada Amavasi day or Puratasi Amavasai day,a day before Navratri begins.All arrangements are done on this day.In some communities male members perform Tarpan or Shardham dedicated to dead ancestors in the morning.

In the evening,Kalasha or Purna Kumbha is prepared.This is an invitation to Goddess to enter your home.Purna Kumba or Kalash is kept on a kolam in such a place that there is space behind to keep the Bommai Kolu.You can attach a face of Goddess to the Purna Kumbha and decorate the Kumbha with jewelry,turmeric,sandal paste,flowers etc.Those who do not keep Kolu,keep the Kalash in the Pooja room.Betel leaves,Betel nuts,a coconut is placed in front of the Kalasha.Cooked rice or boiled and sweetened milk is kept as prasadam or neivedya in front of the Kalasha.This Kalasha is to be kept for next nine days–it symbolizes Goddess.A lamp is lit every evening and morning for 9days.Normal puja is performed.

Arranging the Bommai Kolu.

Next you can start arranging the Kolu dolls.Some people keep Lord Ganesha on 1st step.Others opt for the Marapachi dolls.

Navratri Puja Begins.

Women perform all the pujas during Navratri.You install the Goddess in the form of Purna Kumbha.Light a lamp morning and evening on all 9 days.Elaborate pujas are conducted in the evening.Other women are invited on any 1 of the evening.The 1st 3days is dedicated to Goddess Durga.The next 3days is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.The final 3 days is dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi.Fresh kolams are done on all 9 days.Slokas that are recited on 9days include Durga Ashtotaram,Devi Mahatmiyam,Shyamala Dhandakam,Lakshmi Sahasranama,Lakshmi Ashototaram,Lalitha Sahasranama,Saraswathi Stotram,Saraswathi Ashototaram.Sholakas are recited while performing the puja.Sweets and neivedya prepared are shared with neighbors,relatives and friends.

A kannika(young girl)is invited and she is given lunch and new clothes on first day.Some people do Kannika Pooja it on all 9days.lamp is diffused after the puja daily.puja concludes on 9th day evening.

The Mantras and Bhajans to be recited:

Devi Mahatmya(Durga Saptashati)and Sri Lalita Sahasranama are recited during period.important Navratri mantra is ‘Aaim hreem kleem chamundayai vichche.’

Some devotees conduct special homas and pujas during the period.

On the 9thday,all books,pen and whatever implements that a person uses for his/her livelihood is worshipped and is not touched on the day.

On the 10th day,that is Vijayadashami day in South India,especially in Kerala,young children are initiated into world of learning.

There are no hard and fast rules for any fasting in Hindu religion.There is always scope for flexibility.Some people just abstain from non-vegetarian food during period.Some people just visit temples all 9days.Some people read Bhagavad Gita or other holy books during period.

How to perform rituals:A Kalash is prepared at home and water is changed daily for nine days.kalash is placed on grains on raised platform or in the Puja room.Durga is worshipped during 1st 3days,Lakshmi for the next 3days,and Saraswathi during last 3 days.Each day fresh flowers and fruits are offered...

These Procedures was Taken from A HINDU BLOG...

 

Re: Navratri Pooja

you can chant
"Lalitha Sahasra Namam",
"Devi Mahatmyam - Shri Durga Saptashati - Chandi Path".

they are all very powerful and fruitful.

Sujatha.

 

Re: Navarathri Kolu - Importance & Procedures....

hi soumya,
very nice information about the navaratri golu..
thanks
aarthi

 

Re: Navratri Pooja

hi,
normally during navratri the first three days are for durga,the next three for lakshmi and the last three for saraswathi,so you can recite the corresponding asthotras and namavalis during those days.if you have a lamp(diya or vilakku),you can do archanas with kumkum and flowers to the diya too.in addition you can also do the lalitha sahasranamam and devi mahatmyam.and on the ninth day it is celebrated as saraswathi pooja,when you do a proper pooja with saraswathi ashtothram.
during the nine days ,we south indians normally make a variety with lentils and beans called"sundal" for naivedhyam.
during navartri goddess is present in every woman,so you can invite ladies and small girls(kanyas)to your house for haldi kumkum and if feasible give them some gifts.
you can worship the devis in whatever way you like during navratri and all you need is sincerity,love and decication..this will help us to make any pooja ,a grand one
cheers
aarthi

 

Re: Navratri Pooja

Hi,

Chitvish has a detailed puja format for all major occasions including navarathiri. Please check out her religious forums. Very cool about changing the dress on the Kalash.:thumbsup

 

Re: Navarathiri Golu

Madhu....myself n hubby have started park theme preparation..from day before yesterday...

jus select some theme or you can have ur own innovative ideas to make it brighter. For small park...hmm....you can depict indian state of ppl....by varying with different dresses with ur own make of dolls or available dolls for esp which comes as a pack for park themes.
last time, in one of my cousin has kept chinese, japanese tradition dolls......kinda! try out! or you can keep typical TN VILLAGE.

This time, i am trying to do a big set of park with all over lights...huh! NEW YORK nagaram kondu vara try pana porean...

hmm....will post pic once its done.:cheers

 

Re: Navratri Pooja

Thanks a ton