We had an important festival, that of Navratri, earlier this month.

Navratri – the nine sacred nights - is one of the most celebrated festivals of India. This nine days festival is essentially celebrated to worship Devi and to commemorate the victory of good over evil, i.e bringing to an end the atrocities of Asuras like Mahishasuran, Shumban, Nishumban, Madhukaidapan, Thumralochanan and Rakthabheejan.

During Navrathri Devi is worshipped in the form of Sri Durga for the first three days, as Sri Lakshmi for the next three days and as Sri Saraswati for the last three days.

We celebrate it at home by keeping “Kolu”, which is a display of various dolls and idols, for the 9 day period. Mom painstakingly takes care of these dolls, many of which were passed down from her mother and so on; and during these 9 days (dedicated to the Devi) she has them on display and does daily pujas and prayer sessions and invites all her friends, neighbouring ladies, relatives home and prepares yummy delicacies!

The display at home

You can see a wide variety of dolls here, there are the main ‘Marapachi’ wooden dolls (in the centre); Ashta-Lakshmi – 8 forms of Goddess Lakshmi (in the second row from below); then there is the Dasavatharam – 10 Avatars of Lord Vishnu (just behind the Ashtalakshmis) ; then Lord Vishnu Seated on Serpent Ananta (top-centre); Sita, Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman along with Krishna and also Lord Shiva and family with Parvati, Ganesha and Muruga (top row); finally we have a marriage ceremony along with the popular Chettiar and Chettichi selling their wares (bottom row)!