Swetha's Golu

Bommai( doll) golu is the artistic display of dolls on numbered tires or steps (we arranged 9 steps)represent the nine days of navratri. The steps are covered with white cloth attaching big and small borders.The dolls are arranged on it.Arranging golu is an event in itself, for us It means an occasion for neighbours, friends and other relatives to visit each other homes to view and admire the navratri golu.
     There's a lesson and story to learn from each doll. Navratri Narratives is a collaborative campaign between the alternative and youth ki awaaz .this festival season, to urge us to reconnect with our cultural roots in meaningfulways.
    The important item in golu is kalash( ceremonial jar) here we used silver asthalakshmi chambu with rice,dal,jaggery,elachi inside and covered the top with beetal leaves, coconut.we kept the godesses durgadevi's face on the top of the coconut and decorated her with pattu pavadai, jadai,nethichutty with some more jewels.
    Bussiness is usually represented by the chettiar set of dolls with fruits and vegetables infront of them. Wooden dolls called marapachi dressed in colorful clothes.
   This time our golu has the thematic representation of some Hindu festivals like

Festival
பண்டிகை
Deity
கடவுள்
Month
மாதம்
Food / Fruits
உணவு / பழங்கள்
1) Pongal
பொங்கல்

Sun God, Bhooma Devi, Kamadhenu / Cow
சூரிய பகவான், பூமா தேவி, காமதேனு
January
தை
Sugarcane, Turmeric, Milk, Sakkarai Pongal, Ven pongal, Ghee
கரும்பு,மஞ்சள்,பால், சர்க்கரை பொங்கல், வெண் பொங்கல், நெய்

Get rid of our old school thoughts on Bhogi, Welcome new changes, Thank the Sun God for giving us the necessary warmth and sunlight without which the plants/trees will not bear any fruits or vegetables. Thank the Cow who selflessly holds Milk along with her blood and helps the human race multiply in enormous numbers. Milk from cow can be used for Curd, Butter, Ghee, Milk Sweets.

2) Ratha Sapthami
ரத சப்தமி
Sun God
சூரிய பகவான்
February
மாசி
Sugarcane, Rava Porridge
கரும்பு, ரவை பாயசம்

Thank Sun God who is on the 7th day of his journey towards North along with Aruna and 7 Horses(Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup, Pankti), indicating the end of Spring and start of Harvesting Season. Recite Aditya Hrudayam.

3)Maha Shivarathri
மஹா சிவராத்ரி
Shiva
சிவன்
February / March
பங்குனி
Adai, Appam, Bilva leaves
அடை, அப்பம், வில்வம்

Shiva is the GOD who instantaneously answers your prayers and comes to your rescue sooner. Learn to be humble and pure. Story on Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva on who is Supreme over the other.

4) Sri Rama Navami
ஸ்ரீ ராம நவமி
Rama
ராமர்
April
சித்திரை
Paanagam, Butter Milk, Thayir Saadam, Mango, Pineapple
பானகம்,நீர் மோர், தயிர் சாதம், மாம்பழம்,அன்னாசி

Celebrating the birth of Rama to Dasaratha and Kausalya. Never forget your duties. Respect Elders. Accept life as it comes. Learn to respect brothers and friends.

5) Narasimha Jayanthi
நரசிம்ஹ ஜெயந்தி
Narasimha
நரசிம்ஹர்
May
வைகாசி
Paanagam, Butter Milk, Aval Paayasam, Saabudana Vadai, Mango, Watermelon
பானகம், நீர் மோர், அவல், ஜவ்வரிசி வடை, மாம்பழம்,தர்பூசணி

Devotion through Perseverance and determination. Know the story of Bhaktha Prahalada

6)Naga Chathurthi / Garuda Panchami
நாக சதுர்த்தி
Naga
நாகராஜன்
July
ஆனி
Milk, Wheat Puttu, Cumini Fruit, Strawberries,Kiwi, Peaches
பால், கோதுமை புட்டு, நாவல் பழம், செம்புற்றுபழம், பசலிபழம்,குழிப்பேரி

Learn to be wise, embrace Brotherhood, Keep your thoughts focused. Don’t ponder over what has happened or lost, you will soon be rewarded for all the hardwork and faith.

7) Krishna Jayanthi
கிருஷ்ண ஜெயந்தி
Krishna
கிருஷ்ணர்
August
ஆவணி
Seedai, Butter, Murukku, Appam, Grapes, Cumini Fruit, Kiwi, Peaches
சீடை, வெண்ணை, முறுக்கு, திராட்சை, நாவல்பழம், பசலிபழம்,குழிப்பேரி

Embrace Bhakthi Marga to attain Moksha, Never deviate from the path of dharma. Learn one verse of Bhagavath Gita a day and read Bhagavatham. Story on Krishna and the epic Mahabharata

8) Vinayaga Chathurthi
விநாயக சதுர்த்தி
Vinayaga
விநாயகர்
August / September
ஆவணி
Idli, Kozhukkatai, Sundal, Guava, Pomegranate, Corn, Banana
இட்லி, கொழுக்கட்டை, சுண்டல், கொய்யா, மாதுளை, வாழை, மக்கா சோழம்

He is the first GOD who comes to your rescue to remove all obstacles. He doesn’t need a temple. All he needs is your utmost devotion and faith.

9) Navarathri
நவராத்திரி
Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi
துர்கா, லக்ஷ்மி, சரஸ்வதி
September / October
புரட்டாசி
Variety Rice, Sundal, Puttu, Apple, Orange, Pomegranate, Banana, Grapes
சித்ரான்னம், சுண்டல், புட்டு, ஆப்பிஆரஞ்சு, மாதுளை, வாழை, திராட்சை

Unity among family and friends. Relieve yourself from Arishadvarga : kama-lust, krodha-anger, moha-emotional attachment, lobha-greed, mada-pride, matsarya-jealousy

10) Karthigai / Kanda Shashti
கார்த்திகை
Subramanya
சுப்பிரமணியர்
October
கார்த்திகை
Pori Urundai, Banana, Apple, Pears, Grapes
பொரி, வாழை, ஆப்பிள்,பேரிக்காய், திராட்சை

Learn to respect children and elders alike, Destroy the evil and conquer your senses. Know about Arupadai Veedu – Thiruparunkundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani, Pazhamudircholai

11) Deepavali
தீபாவளி
Krishna
கிருஷ்ணர்
October / November
கார்த்திகை
Deepavali Marundhu, Sweets and Savories
தீபாவளி லேகியம், இதர பட்சணம்

Narakasura was killed by Satyabama, his mother on this day. Learn to be selfless and see value through light. Light is all pervading though there is a black spot in it.

12) Maargazhi Maha Utsavam
மார்கழி மஹா உத்சவம்
Aandal
ஆண்டாள்
December
மார்கழி
Orange, Papaya, Grapefruit, Pears
ஆரஞ்சு, பப்பாளி, பம்பரமாசு, பேரிக்காய்

Unity. Attain Moksha through daily duties to one’s own family and friends. Strive to please the Supreme Lord through Music and Thiruppavai

13) Hanuman Jayanthi
ஹனுமான் ஜெயந்தி
Hanuman
ஹனுமார்
December / January
மார்கழி
Papaya, Orange, Grapefruit, Thayir Saadam, Butter, Puliyodharai, Vadai
பப்பாளி, ஆரஞ்சு, பம்பரமாசுதயிர் சாதம், வெண்ணை, புளியோதரை, வடை

Read Hanuman’s brave acts from Sundara Kandam in Ramayana. Learn to be brave, selfless, devoted, pure. Dwell over the qualities of Supreme Lord to attain moksha.

Besides this we kept somany sets to attract kids like chota bheem set,school set, ear boring set, porcelene doll set in that damayanth porcelene doll is 123 years old.
 Ladies n kids recite slogas ,sing songs and eat special dishes offered by us especially the protien rich dish called sundal, with some sweet and fruits. Here the list of the neivedyam to specific godess on specific days

Navarathri  Day 1
Devi : Maaheswari
Flower :Malligai
Neivedhyam :Ven pongal
Thithi  : Pradhamai
Kolam :Arisi maavaal (rice flour) pottu kolam poda vendum.(Draw rangoli by using rice flour.)
Raagam  : Thodi Raagam
Slokam   : Om swethavarnaayai  vidhmahe
soola hasthaayai dheemahi
Thanno Maaheshwari Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 2
Devi: Kowmaari
Flower:Sevvarali
Neivedhyam: Puliyodharai
Thithi: Dwitheeyai
Kolam:maavinal kolam . (Draw rangoli by using wet flour.)
Raagam:kalyaani
Slokam: Om Siki vaahanaaya vidhmahe
Sakthi Hasthaayai Dheemahi
Thanno kowmaari Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 3
Devi: Vaaraahi
Flower:Champangi
Neivedhyam:Sakkarai pongal
Thithi:thrutheeyai
Kolam:malar  kolam poda vendum . (Draw rangoli by using flowers-pookolam.)
Raagam:kaambhodhi
Slokam: Om Magishathvajaaya vidhmahe
Thanda HasthaayaDheemahi
Thanno Vaaraahi Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 4
Devi:  Lakshmi
Flower: JaathiMalli
Neivedhyam:Kadhamba Saadham
Thithi:chathurthi
Kolam:Atchadhai kondu padikattu pola kolamida vendum (Draw rangoli in shape of steps by using atchatai (mix of rice,turmeric,ghee.))
Raagam:bhairavi
Slokam: Om Padma Vaasinyai cha Vidhmahe
Padmalochanee sa Dheemahi
Thanno Lakshmi Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 5
Devi:  Vaishnavi
Flower: Paarijaatham & Mullai
Neivedhyam: Curd Rice
Thithi: panchami
Kolam: kadalai maavaal paravai kolam poda vendum (Draw a bird like rangoli by using Bengal gram flour.)
Raagam:panchamaavaranai  keerthanai paada vendum.bandhuvaraali
Slokam: Om Syaamavarnaayai  Vidhmahe
Chakra Hasthaayai Dheemahi
Thanno Vaishnavi Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 6
Devi : Indraani
Flower:Semparuthi
Neivedhyam:Coconut rice
Thithi:sashti
Kolam:kadalai maavinaal Devi naamathai kolamida vendum  (Write the name of the goddess  using Bengal gram flour.)
Raagam:Neelaambari
Slokam: Om Kajathvajaayai vidhmahe
Vajra Hasthaaya Dheemahi
Thanno Iyndree Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 7
Devi: Saraswathi
Flower:Malligai & mullai
Neivedhyam:Lemon rice
Thithi:Sapthami
Kolam:Narumana malargalaal kolamida vendum (Draw rangoli by using  fragrant flowers-pookolam.)
Raagam:Bilahari
Slokam: Om Vaakdevyai  vidhmahe
Vrinji pathnyai sa Dheemahi
Thanno Vaani Prachodayath

Navarathri  Day 8
Devi: Durga
Flower:Roja
Neivedhyam: Paayasaannam
Thithi:ashtami
Kolam:padma kolam  (Draw traditional lotus shaped rangoli)
Raagam:punnagavaraali
Slokam: Om Magisha mardhinyai vidhmahe
Durga devyai Dheemahi
Thanno Devi Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 9
Devi: Saamundaa
Flower:Thaamarai
Neivedhyam:Akaaravadisil
Thithi:navami
Kolam:Vaasanai podigalal aayudham pola kola mida vendum (Draw weapon shaped rangoli  by using fragrant  powder.)
Raagam:vasantha raagam
Slokam: Om Krishna varnaayai vidhmahe
Soola Hasthaayai Dheemahi
Thanno Saamundaa Prachodayaath

Vijaya dasami
Devi: Vijaya
Flower: Malligai,Roja
Neivedhyam: sakkarai pongal,sweets
Thithi: dasami
Slokam: Om Vijayaa devyai  vidhmahe
Mahaa Nithyaayai Dheemahi
Thanno DEVI Prachoday

Lastly we offer thambulam which contains lakshmi godesses face as gift with beetal leaves,nuts, coconuts, fruits,flowers,bangles,turmeric and kumkum