Navarathri

Since the day I started writing in this blog, I wanted to write about Navarathri celebrations. I had put it away as I was looking for old pics which I wanted to post along with. Now that Navarathri is here, I decided to write it anyway though I still didn't succeed in getting the pics scanned. After the long break I took from blogging, I am dedicating this post to my mother .

Navarathri is the festival I have enjoyed the most during my childhood. The credit goes to my mom. She always made all festive occasions fun-filled and interesting. Her favorite was Krishna Jayanthi, followed by Navarathri and Diwali.

Today being the first day of Navarathri 2012, I was pondering about what would have been the origin of the custom of doll arrangement known as 'Golu', which is the highlight of occasion  in the South. Clay dolls of gods and goddesses are arranged in nine steps and decorated. Normally a 'Rangoli' is painted in front of the arrangement and an oil lamp is lighted every evening and a delicious snack is offered as ‘prasadam’. I googled for some time and I came across two interesting facts.

1.  Golu was started as a custom to promote business of clay idols and generate revenue when the crops failed. I am impressed by this kind of thinking.
2.  The way the dolls are arranged in nine steps has a concept behind. The top most steps is normally reserved for idols of Gods and Goddesses, the next is for saints and divine people, and then the next for great men like freedom fighters and social workers. Then comes the space for business men followed by common people. The last few steps are reserved for animals, birds and insects. The hierarchy is self explanatory.

The second point reminded me about the way my mother used to arrange the dolls. Perhaps she was following the hierarchy to an extent.

Apart from the above facts, I have the following positive points that make Navarathri a very special occasion. 

.      Activity:

Navarathri is a festival that is buzzing with activity. The fun starts a day or two before the festival begins, when we get into the attic to un-wrap the idols and pass it carefully to the people. Then a day or two passes in carpentry to build the steps, arranging the dolls, decorating the whole space and other activities. Once we get into the nine day span, there is more fun. Visiting other houses, buying and packing gifts along with ‘manjal-kumkum’ are amusing activities that take place for all the nine days.

.       Art and Creativity:

The festival provides an opportunity and space to showcase talent and creativity. Right from decorating the steps and space with color paper, there is much scope for art and creativity. One of the dolls showcased in the Golu is ‘Chettiar bommai’, as a representation of businessmen. Every year we used think about new ideas to showcase shops for him. One year it would be provision store, the next year it would be vegetable market, mechanic shop, sports shop or even a museum. Also as an addition we used to create a miniature model of a garden, park, recreation center, dam, cricket ground or so.

Rangoli is another form of art that is displayed during these nine days.  Also it’s a great opportunity for singers, be it professional or amateurs. Singing bhajans and devotional songs in front of the Golu is a custom when we visit friends during the nine days. Also there are a number of concerts arranged specially during this festival time. This provided opportunity to many budding artists.

.       Prasadam:

Every day there is a delicious and healthy snack prepared and offered to God. The specialty is that this snack is normally made from grams and sprouts and is called 'Sundal'. This makes it protein rich and is loved by kids the most. This prasadam is offered to all the guests who come to see the golu, thus providing the chance to taste different kind of snacks everyday. Most of the days, dinner comprises different sundals.

.       Social Activity:

In this busy world, we hardly have time to visit friends and relatives. As this is a festival that lasts for nine days, visits can be planned and executed. This is one time in a year we take the pain to visit a friend in the outskirts of the city.

Though the festival is of Hindu origin, there is no bar on religion/caste when it comes to inviting friends. During the nine days we used to have about a hundred people walk in to our house just to have a look at the ‘Golu’

In this modern era of busy schedule and mechanical life, celebrating this nine day fest with full spirit can make way to  recoup social life and relationships, kindle creativity in kids and serve as a refreshment. But it is notable that like other festivals, this nine day fest is losing it's significance and value.

Now having said all this, I am awaiting the day when I can re-create the good old days of Navarathri and have my daughter enjoy the spirit of the festival as I did in my childhood days.

Below is a picture of golu that was arranged by my aunt in Coimbatore.