What are your plans for this Navratri!!

Dear Meeta,

I am posting you details about Golu collected from various websites.

Navarathri Golu

During this period, it is customary in many homes in Tamil Nadu to display a "Golu". This is an exhibition of various [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]dolls[/COLOR][/COLOR] in odd numbered tiers ("padis"). The golus vary in theme from house to house - from the elaborate, extravagant ones to the simple, traditional and [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]artistic[/COLOR][/COLOR] ones.
It is significant that the Navarathri Golu is set up with an odd number of steps (usually 7, 9, or 11), and the placement of different idols of Gods on them. It commences with the keeping of a “Kalasam” . Kalasam is a brass or silver pot filled with water and adorned with either a coconut or a pomegranate (it will remain fresh for the whole of nine days) amidst mango leaves. This Kalasam is kept in the first step.
Generally, when people come to a person's house to see the Golu, they are given prasad (the offering given to God that day), kumkum (red powder), and a small bag of gifts usually containing a mirror, a comb, a small box of kumkum, and fruits. These are only given to girls and married women. This is chiefly a woman's festival.
From the second day after the Mahalaya Amavasya, friends and relatives are invited to take a look at the Golu and receive the tamboolam.
In the evenings, a "kuthuvilakku" (small lamp) is lit, in the middle of a decorated "kolam"(Rangoli), before the golu and devotional [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]hymns[/COLOR][/COLOR] and slokas are chanted. After performing poojas, the food items that have been prepared, are offered to the Goddesses.
Golu is adorned with dolls - predominantly with that of the Gods and Goddesses depicting mythology. Common ones being Dasavatharam, Ramar Pattabhishekam, Meenaakshi Thirukalyanam, Murugan and Valli, [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Krishna[/COLOR][/COLOR] in Aayarpaadi etc., It is a traditional practice to have the wooden dolls (Marapaachi - a pair of a boy and girl) as these dolls indicate fertility
Golu does not mean that the dolls are kept only on the steps. Innovation plays a vital role. Creativity and divinity combine to form a veritable presentation. Themes such as marriage, school are adopted. Every night 'arthi' is taken for the dolls.
On the 9th day (Saraswathi Pooja), special poojas are offered to [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Goddess[/COLOR][/COLOR] Saraswathi - the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in the pooja (you may want to place your software CDs too !) and worshipped as a source of knowledge. Also tools are placed in the pooja - as part of "Ayudha Pooja". Even vehicles are washed and decorated, and poojas are performed for them.
The 10th day - "Vijayadasami" - is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which evil was finally destroyed by good. It marks a new and prosperous beginning. New ventures started on this day are believed to flourish and bring prosperity. Kids start tutoring on this day - to have a head start in their education.
In the evening of Vijayadasami, any one doll from the doll exhibition is symbolically put to sleep and the Kalasam is moved a bit towards North. - to mark the end of that year's Navarathri - Golu. [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Prayers[/COLOR][/COLOR] are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year's Golu and with a hope of a successful one the next year ! Then the golu is dismantled and packed up for the next year!​

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Golu - Ideas
Navarathri golu is never complete without a park or a zoo or a [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]garden[/COLOR][/COLOR], to add colour to the golu. Usually, these are placed near the golu steps and are laid out on the [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]floor[/COLOR][/COLOR]. It is great fun to create a zoo or a park or anything that strikes our fancy. We have given below some easy ways to make these simple things.
How to make a park
Base Crumbs1: Dry the residue of coconut after extracting milk or crumbs of coconut husk. This crumbs could be used to make parks / ponds.
Add leaf green rangoli powder to specify grass
Add brown rangoli powder to specify road / rock
Take a 2' x 2' thermo coal sheet. Draw specification for grassland and walking path. Apply gum evenly. Spread green crumbs for grassland and brown crumbs for the walking path. Acquire plastic trees, flowers and benches. Acquire tiny [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]dolls[/COLOR][/COLOR]. Make sliders and swings with broomsticks. Make lamp posts with Match sticks tipped with tiny aluminium paper strips. Place them in suitable locations. Allow the crumbs to dry.
How to make a pond
Take a deep tray (tambalam). Draw the outline of the tray in a thermo cool sheet. Draw another inner circle within 1" of the original outline. Use a sharp knife to cut out the inner circle. Insert the tray into the gap and ensure the tray-sheet remain intact. Paste deep blue [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]glass[/COLOR][/COLOR] paper covering the tray. Place small chunks of clay in the tray at random. Pour water to the ¾ of the tray. Acquire plastic swans, ducks and plants. Place them firmly on the clay chunks. Cover the rest of the sheet with glued green crumbs. Place Plastic [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]trees[/COLOR][/COLOR], flowers and dolls accordingly.
How to make a paddy field
Take a hard board sheet. Spread a thick layer of earth on it in even rows. Take two handful of fenugreek or mustard or ragi and spread on the earth. Sprinkle water. You will find thick growth of green within two days. Acquire dolls of peasants / farmers. Make scarecrow with small bits of cloth and sticks. Acquire plastic plants. Place in suitable positions.
Themes
Jack and the beanstalk
Take a firm thick stick. Take a big chunk of clay and place it on a hard board sheet with the stick on it. Spread glued green crumbs on the hard board. Coat the stick thick with dark green / brown clay. Place plastic vines or real money plant around the stick. Place a HE-MAN or BAT MAN doll at the top of the stick as the Giant. Keep a boy doll in the middle of the stick as Jack. Acquire small plastic house, hen, trees and plants. Place them in suitable positions.
Little Bo-Beep
Make a meadow (either with crumbs / or with green growth). Place trees, plants, flowers and swings. Place small dolls of sheep behind trees. Take a [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Barbie [COLOR=blue! important]doll[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]. Dress/ Wrap the doll with a long skirt and a hat. Place a stick with a bow in the dolls hand. Place the Barbie doll in the meadow.
Krishna Leela - Kalinga Nardhan
Make a pond surrounded with green growth. Dress a doll like Krishna (Peacock feather/ silk loin cloth). Acquire plastic snake(s). Place a chunk of clay in the pond place the Krishna doll with snake on the clay chunk.
Saravana Poigai
Make a pond surrounded with green growth. Acquire six pink big plastic lotus flowers. Place clay chunks six locations in the pond. Place the plastic lotus on the clay chunks. Acquire plastic [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]baby [COLOR=blue! important]dolls[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] and colour as Bala Muruga. (Otherwise get a small picture of Balamuruga and photocopy in colour for six times. Paste the pictures in card board and trim the edges carefully) Place these Balamuruga in the lotus. Acquire six big dolls. Dress them in saris and inexpensive junk jewellery and place them near the lotus flowers

 

Meetha Check the below URL for various types of Golus.


ChennaiCentral - a die-hard Chennai-loving Indian Blogger

 

When you prepare the soaked channa dal or green gram dal in a dry format dessicating it with coconut. I am giving you a small recipie. But you need to check in Mrs. Chitvish's forum for more such recipies.

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<CENTER><HR><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0>Ingredients

<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0 border=0>Dried Green Peas1 cupMustard Seeds1/2 tsp.Urad Dhal1/2 tsp.Dried Small Red Chili Peppers2-3Asafetida Powder1/2 tspOil2 tbsp.Coconut Flakes2 tsp.Water1/2 to 1 cupSalt to taste
Soak the dried green peas overnight. The next day, rinse them and cook with water, in a pressure cooker, or a covered pan until soft to touch. Drain the water and keep the peas aside. Take a pan and add oil. Drop the mustard seeds onto the hot oil. Add the urad dhal, the chili peppers, and the asafetida powder. Stir for a few seconds until brown. Add the cooked green peas and stir well. Cool. Sprinkle coconut flakes on them. Serve.


The same method is used for various dhalls. Hope I am of some informative help.
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Mumbai in Shravan, Bhadrapad & Ashwin or anytime....Mumbai rocks..this article reminds me of the Garba prizes for best saris etc & coparingnotes nxt day of how long we stayed up the whole night.....

In melb we hve a dandiya function during Navratri but I cannot go each night..on friday & sat..it is straight to Aai's darbar...

Hubby remembers his childhood days when he wld go around asking Bombe ittidirra? All for the Usal & the sweets each child wld get....he still does not like the fact his sisters got the plum Prashad & all he got was the gun powder & the Kobbari sakkare...

Mals as usual you have warmed my cold wintery Melb evening with an article on Mumbai....

vachlya nanter aai & babanchya khoop aathvan yeete:-(

 

Excellent photos, rajmiarun. felt that navarathiri is right today and wish...Yesterday only, we friends were all discussing abt the festival and today, when I opened the computer, a great feast given by you on seeing all the photos. It gives us too many ideas, wow to you and that particular person who shared in the web.

Thanks a ton.

 

Hi Rajmi,
Thank you very much for taking so much pain to describe Golu and all other rituals of Navrathri.
Oh My God...I could see how beautiful everything looks.........and it must be a great effort to create those things.......you people are too artistic yaar........
Wishing all of you a Happy navrathri and Vijaya Dashami.......
Love

 

Hi Rajmi,

You have done a good job, :clap :clap made this post very colourful with your pictures and description. You hv given a clear idea of how South Indian Tamil Brahmins Celebrate Navratri. Thanks for making this post lively... and your sundal recipe was urgently required... :-D

 

Nice thread Mals!

My childhood experience was just like that of Ami's. Now, it is mostly religious trying to chant Lalitha Sahasranamam.

That was very resourceful Rajmi. The pictures are very nice - is it your Kolu???

-Gayathri.