INTRO

Golu festivals and celebrations are the platform of sharing the culture tradition and happiness to each other. Navratri is a Hindu festival that honors Goddess Durga and her various incarnations. The celebration of navratri also represents the triumph of good over evil and light above darkness.
The word Navratri is broken into two words `Nav’ which means nine and `ratri’ which means night. It is a major event in maharashtra, west Bengal and Gujarat but it is celebrated world wide.
We are proud to say that we are celebrating Golu every year in our institution in the month of (September / October ). Every year we had Golu in certain theme this year also we had a theme of spreading the culture of our ancestors in the form of religious spirit. We started Golu with three steps in the beginnings but now it was developed upto 9 steps with such a big count of dolls.
Every day of celebrations was organized by every sector of our institution which is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga including Annapoorani, Dhatchayani, Mahalakshmi, Sri Durga ,Kanji kamatchi, kaliyamman, kasi vishalatchi Madurai meenakshi and saraswathi.
On the eighth day we celebrated kanya Pujan on that day the young girls symbolizing the Goddess are worshiped and offered food, clothes ,gifts and sweets as part of Kanya pojan saveries, was also given to all the students as `prasatham ‘. Including this `Bhajans’ and `dance’ was performed.
Navratri is not just a time of festivities but also a period for spiritual renewal, meditation and self-discipline with many people taking time for personal reflection. It is a reminder that through faith, perseverance and unity . We can overcome any hurdles in life just as Goddess Durga overcame the forces of darkness.

Wishing you all a very Happy Dasara 2024.
This year along with Traditional Golu we present rich cultural, traditional heritage of India as diversification is the identity of our country.
Theme:
1. **Musical Instruments of India** along with Kudroli Sharada Devi. These instruments represent a glimpse of the extensive and diverse musical heritage of India.
2. **Classical dance forms** along with 9 Navarasa of classical dance form originated from Natya Shastra.
3. **Folk dance of India** represents culture and tradition of different states and communities.
4. **Great Indian thalis** of both North and South India along with different miniature food items. Indian Thalis are one of the most delicious and inexpensive dishes that you will encounter throughout your travel in India. As we move from one state to another, the dishes and spices change rapidly. Thali is the epitome of cultural exploration on a plate or plantain leaf.
5. **Brides of different states** of India.
6. **Costumes of India**
7. **Mysore Dasara procession**.

Krishna theme golu

My Golu theme and sets about educating children about how the kids played back in 80’s and how the mythological events had significance. And kavadi kolattam , asura samharam.

Golu is our festive and family traditions @ Amruthavarshini, which is celebrated since 1990 and designed by Mrs. Prabhavathi Prakash. As we in family grow old the traditions also took the pace of growing old and spreading love and happiness within and outside family for a better well-being till date. We keep adding (plus) Golu's each year for a larger section of story telling which also includes mythology as a theme for a good family values.

Our Complete golu is made with Handmade Beaded Dolls and we are keeping this golu for last 10 Years in Dubai
This Year aTheme is Durga/Lakshmi/Saraswathi dolls made by Beads along with dussera /Thirupathy Bramosthavam

Regards

Kamala Hariharan
Dubai

Hello
Navaratri wishes to all...
This year our Golu has 5 parts -
1. Main golu of Gods and Goddessess
2. Krishna Leela - this year's theme Krishna stories
3. Mysore - chamundi, palace
4. Chettiyars celebrating Golu
5. Cycle of life - upanayanam set, wedding set, baby shower set and naming ceremony set.

Navaratri Golu is a cherished tradition, showcasing a captivating display of dolls and figurines that holds great significance during the Navaratri festivities in South India. Our Golu is elegantly arranged over nine steps, each narrating a unique story.

Step 1: At the pinnacle, Lord Mahaganapathi takes center stage, flanked by our family deity, Subramanya Swamy, along with the enchanting Valli and Deivanai. Their placement is nothing short of breathtaking. We invoke the divine blessings of our Guru, Maha Periva, wishing for peace and success for all. Following them, the revered musical legends—Shyama Shastri, Muthuswamy Dikshitar, and Thyagaraja—are represented in doll form, while Lord Vithoba (Vitthal) and Rukmini grace the display with their auspicious presence.

Step 2: Here, the Ashtalakshmi, a symbol of prosperity, blesses our Golu, accompanied by a melodic Carnatic music ensemble. The tale of Kanapan Nayanar, a devoted Shiva bhakta, is beautifully brought to life through the artful arrangement of dolls. This step also illustrates Lord Rama performing pooja to Lord Shiva in Rameswaram to absolve the Brahmahatya dosha, alongside the depiction of Guhan selflessly aiding Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita as they cross the river.

Step 3: Dominating this step is Dakshinamurthy, revered as the ultimate teacher or Guru, resplendently depicted alongside Adi Shankaracharya and his esteemed disciples—Padmapadacharya, Sureshwaracharya, Hastamalakacharya, and Totakacharya. A magnificent Thanjavur-style representation of Lord Shiva and Nandi adds grandeur to this step, showering blessings upon all. The captivating tale of Gajendra Moksha, where Lord Vishnu rescues the elephant Gajendra from a crocodile, symbolizing liberation from the cycle of birth and death, is artfully illustrated. Additionally, the divine union of Srinivasa Kalyanam is thoughtfully arranged alongside representations of Brahma and Mahavishnu.

Step 4: This step features the lively depiction of Chettiar and Chettichi, busily selling vegetables and provisions—a tribute to prosperity and trade. A treasured Marapachi Bommai, a wooden doll over a century old, graces this display, infusing it with rich heritage and history.

Step 5: The towering figure of Ghatotkacha reigns in this display, surrounded by an abundance of food items symbolizing plenty. Alongside him, a delightful scene of Lord Krishna surrounded by the Gopikas captures the playful and divine essence of Krishna's life, inviting joy and celebration.

Step 6: This step portrays the enchanting story of Govardhan Giridhari, where Lord Krishna lifts the Govardhan hill on his finger, shielding the villagers from the tempest unleashed by the wrathful Indra. This scene epitomizes Krishna's divine protection and care for his devotees.

Step 7: In this segment, Lord Palani Murugan is depicted atop a hill, surrounded by devotees carrying Kavadi, symbolizing their unwavering devotion and acts of penance. A representation of the sacred temple at Thiru Avinan Kudi is thoughtfully placed, enhancing the traditional essence of the display. The Mysore Dasara Golu set shines brightly, with the centerpiece being the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, elegantly positioned on a golden mantapa weighing approximately 750 kilograms, atop a beautifully adorned elephant.

Step 8: The Garuda Vahana Seva takes center stage here, a significant religious event in the carrier processions of Srivaru, symbolizing the eternal bond between the deity and His devotees. Garuda, the divine eagle, embodies unwavering devotion and service.

Step 9: Lastly, the cricket set and my mother’s exquisite handmade items, including the Mani-style chair and other crafts, are artfully arranged, adding a personal touch to our display and celebrating the spirit of creativity.

Happy Dasara everyone. Have been keeping gombegalu ( called in Karnataka) since childhood and continuing the same legacy with the patada bombe gifted by my parents after marriage. In karnataka, patada gombe holds utmost significance and can be kept alone without the dolls during navratri till lifetime. Patada bombe signifies love, affection, and peace.

This year, have included dolls from Ramayana covering Rama's marriage, his journey during his exile ( stories such as sethubandanam, shabari, Sanjeevini buti for lakshman), and highlighting the devotion of Hanuman to Lord Rama using dolls- Japa Hanuman, Ram and Hanuman hugging eachother, and Hanuman carrying Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders. Rama's return to Ayodhya with RamaPatabhishekam dolls and our ayodhya temple. We have showcased Ravan darbar too.

Life history of krishna:Vasudev and Devaki praying to Lord Vishnu, Devaki in Jail, vasudev carrying him to Vrindavan. Dolls depicting Krishna's childhood playing with his friends using top, naughtiness by stealing the clothes during gopika's bath while also highlighting his bravery fighting the demon-Bakasur, Kalinga Mardan, Indra's anger (Govardhana Giri), and Kamsa's death. Doll depicting his bravery as a child when two devatas get relieved of their curse when baby krishna pulls a branch of a tree is also kept.

A doll showing Vishwaroopa darshan. Incarnation of vishnu showing the entire universe. A supreme commander of the universe.

Astalakshmi : Goddess of wealth, health, and prosperity is worshipped with utmost devotion during navratri.

Village: In the digi savvy world, our kids are not aware how we grew up in a village before moving for livelihood to cities. The name of the village is Nandanapura. Nandana means happiness or heaven. We all have realized what heaven is today being in city. The village covers two temples across the small river. The boatman waits to take the devotees from one temple to the other. There is santhe happening on the banks of the river. There is a kannada medium primary school and a person is selling sweets outside the school. Have showcased the daily lifestyle at village. At the highway, a lady is selling idlis and dosas.

Mysore dasara:

The world famous mysore dasara procession with the elephant carrying the king and the golden howrah with goddess durga is depicted along with people dressed as freedom fighters being part of the procession. Navdurga- the nine forms of durga is shown on the Chamundi hills along with Mahisasur. Here how she takes nine forms to actually kill the demon is the highlight for everyone.

Ganesh rebirth @ Kailas

Here we have tried to cover the story of ganesh after he was killed by shiva for denying his entry based on parvati's instruction and later got back to life wth the elephant trunk. All the 3 devas - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahaeshwara is shown along with mother Parvati's love for bal ganesh.

Moral stories:

Have kept dolls showcasing a few well known moral stories for the kids:
3 monkeys: Eyes closed, Ears closed and mouth closed. Moral- See good, Hear good and talk good.

Thirsty Crow: Pebble by crow to lift the water. Moral: Determination

Hare and the Lion: Lion jumps into the well thinking one more lion is there when animals in the forest were tired of him killing all animals for his food.

Hunter and the lion story: A small rat helps the lion escape from the hunter's net..Moral: You may need anyone's help. Dont judge anything bu its look or size. A small rat helped a mighty lion when the lion had made fun of rat.

Last but not the least, our guru Sri Shankaracharya is worshipped diring navratri by chanting his scripts such as kalyanavrishtistavam, devi sthuthi and so on. Goddes Lakshmi, Saraswati and durga is prayed for good knowledge. A group of Ganesha musicians are there to entertain during navratri. We do worship musical instruments in navratri. Dashavaratara set is also kept.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to share my learnings with you all.

Our Golu is an exceptional piece of art this time due to its perfect combination of the themes, light and colour, which produces a lively, cheery visual interpretation of the joy, hope and happiness of existence. The light theme indicates intelligence, wish and triumph over the dark side, whereas the colour theme indicates diversity, harmony and freedom. Each and every part of Golu has been selected to illustrate these ideas through the use of some classic elements and subtle new elements like light and colour. The merging of these two elements, light and colour, in the visual presentation is made appealing not just for the eye but also for the spiritual essence. Every step of the Golu is a story, with light, life's leading direction, and the countless bright, manifest colours unifying us in all areas. My creation stands out as not just a decorative piece but a means of engaging all those who see it, and it will stick in memory as one with warmth and spark of imagination. It combines the principles of old and new in an extraordinary manner; thus, it is truly a pearl of its kind.