Navratri Golu is a vibrant and cherished tradition in South India, especially in Tamilnadu. During the nine nights, families set up steps to showcase a multi-tiered display of dolls and figurines called Golu.
The depictions differ for each family as they could be scenes from daily life or Hindu mythology. Every evening, families offer foods such as pulses and sweets to the Golu as prasad and exchange greetings, gifts, and sweets. They sing devotional songs together and recite shlokas that give a divine vibe. Children and adults enjoy the creativity and craftsmanship involved in making these displays. Some of these dolls or figurines are carried across generations. There is a lot of happiness when you visit Golus at other houses to watch the type of dolls they’ve used in their displays. The nine days are dedicated to celebrating Goddess Durga in her different forms.
This is a good time to get together with family members and friends that foster community spirit and cultural heritage. There is a recent color code that started becoming a trend. Every year before Navratri a colour code is devised that lists out colours for each day.
Months before Navratri we take time to plan the food items to offer, dolls to display, the themes to decide, dresses to wear, and return gifts to give people who visit the house.
This trend of deciding what to wear as per the color code for the year impressed me much. In 2020, I started draping sarees as per the color code. This is a great way to wear sarees that have been lying around in the wardrobe. Restyle the sarees in different ways. My mother used to help me decide the sarees and choose what accessories that go with them.
2021, everything was all set for the golu that year from guest lists to sarees to drape, and what prasad to offer each day, but there came a big blow that we never expected. We lost mom to a sudden massive heart attack. My entire world came down shattered into pieces which I’d never knew I’d be able to build back again.
Collage of Navratri lookbook 2021
Collage of Navratri lookbook 2022
Collage of Navratri lookbook 2023
Collage of Navratri lookbook 2024
Days passed but I couldn’t gather myself, but I decided what I should do. I draped the sarees of my mom in memory of her. Every saree felt like a warm hug. Touchwood, till this year I’ve been draping sarees as per the color code each year. It gives me a sense of joy to celebrate what mom loved to do and how she would love to see me. Golu every year is so special to me, I carry forward the tradition from mom and would take it forward to the next.