What are your plans for this Navratri!!

Hello Sindhuja,

sorry for the delayed reply..actually, I myself forgot and was waiting for my hub., to ask..as he has been busy, could not catch him up either..

Anyhow, there is no such name available in Home depot. Just, he got some wooden pieces & planks and you have to join both of them depending on the shape you want. Imagine a triangle with 5 steps which is ours, we can even incl.more padis.

And, AC, we are talking abt wooden steps for golu.

FYI, I was trying to attach a sample photo of my golu to see the steps, but, the attachment seems to be bigger than the given size.

Rgds.

Thank you, Ami . Appreciate your reply.

I am trying to figure out the structure of your golu padis. I am not sure if I will be able to get any help from my DH side. Hope I will be able to make it.
I will post my Golu picture during navarathiri season. Thanks again!

regards,

Sindhu

Sindhuja
If you do figure out something do let me know.

Thanks Ami.

Sure, Chithra.

Dear Friends,

Navratri is just at the bend, one of the festivals that brings all community together. Whether we are called for Paan Supari, haldi Kumkum, sing bhajans, it fun to be part of the festival. In Mumbai, as we all know, its Dandiya and Garba, and this is not played by the Gujjus, but all the community participate in the dance. Girls and Guys stitch clothes for Navratri (all nine nights) and the trend is set, with matching accessories. There are competitions and from toddlers to old couple every category gets a prize. For non dancers, they can just sit and enjoy. It also bring romance in the air......

The city takes a beautiful colour on these nine nights, whilst its still basking in the colour of Lord Ganesha, Now Durgadevi will come and splash more hue in it. Tradition is kept in mind by all and they follow it religiously.
Organizers definitely make a big "Moolah" out of it. But, thats not our concern.

During College days and my initial working days, I used to participate in dandiya dance and would attend the dandiya raas organised by Sankalp, where people groove to the tunes of the very famous Phalguni Pathak. Running around to eat "Prasad" and nodding head in negative sheepishly when they ask if I can sing Carnatic Music Songs. We were very happy as mom would put little pressure on studies during these days and happier on Saraswathi Puja day.. hi hi...

Now I go and watch the dance as I have to go to work the next day. In office, we have yantra puja and sweet boxes are distributed on the 9th day as on Dussera we get holiday.......
Offering prayers and making prasad is a routine.

Would like to hear from all of you!!!!1

Hai mals

Good Evening

Wow! its really interesting to hear about NAVARATRI in mumbai, even i heard lot about that and even i was there once, but didnt get chance to participate in anything

My Navaratri wont have lot of fun but only POOJA , i used to tell all slokams and do puja daily twice and make some prasadams and used to go to temple and also to friends and relatives place to get MANJAL KUMKUM and i also offer to lot of people , try to wear new dress not daily atleast for SARASWATHY puja

At times , used to call few ladies to my place to perform GROUP BAJANS AND PUJA

In local temples, they used to do for AMMAN different ALANKARAMS daily i.e one day like Lord KAMAKSHI, ANOTHER DAY MEENAKSHI like that for all 13 days , so will go to temple for that DARSHAN also

But i dont know this time whether i will do all this since just 4 months back i missed my dad

Thats all for me

latamurali

Good and right topic you have started..

In south india, it is totally different from the west. But, being in U.S. miss all of them; my mom never keeps golu and here, becoz of my daughter, have started keeping 5 padis golu in my home.

But in my grand ma's place, when was young, they always keep golu. My cousin and I used to take turns what song to sing in each mami's place; sometimes, my aunty would put a costume like gujarathi girls or krishna and radha for me and my cousin. Once our sundal collection is done, lots of boys from the street would go to everyone's house and ask for sundal. I would always prefer to go on friday as everyone made puttu; eating different puttu from a different house was so yummy.

But, now, everything has changed. Only when they call, one should go and that galatta is not there now as everyone's kid has got married and now, it is a very CALM golu!!

FLASHBACK IS OVER..now, the CURRENT

Here, the previous day of golu, it use to be sivarathiri for me becoz, have to arrange all the bommais, have to think of making park etc. My kids they both are excited as they always wants to do something and they fight with each other for taking turns.

During the nine days, we(my kids & I) use to sing or do bajan every day or night for devi. My daughter is very much willing to do aarati and every day, new new dress release for her; invite my guests for 2 to 3 days so that can pay some attention. Predominantly, when they are all here, chit chat all stories and look around the house for any latest upgrade and proceed further regarding that!! And, also they will ask what is the new bommai we have kept or any improvement have made in golu or in decoration, park etc. Finally, standard statement, why dont u sing or you sing and one by one, they will start singing.

In the end, will give haldi kumkum, sweets, sundals and gift articles. The little ones are very curious to know what they have got for them. My close friends are very curious to know abt sundal and as usual, will ask for recipe. Nowadays, here, everyone gives in a small goody bag instead of giving it in hand or grocery bag. It depends, anyways..

In the middle of navarathiri, will call 2 or 3 close friends with family for lunch or for tiffin which is auspicious for family as well as them. My mom, she use to call some small girl and offer her special food with dress. But, here, that is not possible and so, as soon as the neivdhyam is done, will give first to my daughter as she is also a kanya!!

Throughout these 9 days, heard elders telling not to make any podis or no stitching at home as Devi cant take these things. So, have to do these beforehand. And, strict vacation for onion & garlic!!

Saraswathi pooja, we do our standard pooja and on Vijayadasami, end of golu, rest for stomach and bommais will go to sleep. Since Balaji is our deity, we put maavilaku on that day. End of the festival golu!!

Thanks for reading my experience patiently.

I knew I would be really entertained entering this thread after reading the title !! Thanks again Mal for a timely topic.
Your Mumbai seems to be bustiling with one or the other happening things. You gave a very interesting account of this festive time.
Ami, enjoyed reading as to how you celebrate Navarathri.
Brought back childhood memories. No Kolu at home, but were invited by friends who had kolu and it was really thrilling to visit their houses and see all the dolls and especially the mini park!

L, Kamla

Hi Mals,
You brought so many memories with your post. What fun navarathri is in Mumbai. Have had my share of all nighters garba hopping. Yes and what you say is true, it is a community affair.
Here in the bay area, yes the nine days are filled with activities. I keep the golu too. Both kids love it. even though they are boys. Mornings are for puja, evenings whether going for haldi kumkum or giving it. The funny part is, all boys here also expect they be given vethalai paakku!! and thinks its not fair if only the girls get. So every time, i rack my brains to get something for the boys to give them !!

Vandhana

Hi Vandana,

Howz you!!!

I understand that you must be missing Mumbai rather India during the festivals. I miss Mumbai, when I am away from it. Its so cute, to know that the boys also demand a gift for them...

I am very touched to see moderators replying my humble post.

Thanks Vandana.