- Golu
Infobox Holiday
holiday_name =Golu
type = Asian festival
longtype = TamilHindu
caption = Display ofGolu in Tamil Nadu
nickname =Navaratri Golu
observedby = TamiliansHindu s
begins = Mahalaya
ends = Vijayadasmi
date =
date2008 =September 30 -October 8
celebrations =Saraswati Pooja,Rangoli
observances =
relatedto =Navratri Golu
Also Kolu, or Bommai Kolu.
During
Navratri , it is customary inTamil Nadu, Kerala to display a "Golu ". This is an exhibition of various dolls and figurines in odd (usually 7, 9, or 11) numbered tiers ("padis"). Generally, when people come to a person's house to see theGolu , they are givenprasad (the offering given to God that day),kumkum and a small bag of gifts. These are only given to girls and married women.In the evenings, a "kuthuvilakku" (small lamp) is lit, in the middle of a decorated "kolam "(Rangoli ), before theGolu and devotionalhymns andshloka s are chanted. After performing thepuja , the food items that have been prepared, are offered to theGoddesses .Golu is adorned with dolls - predominantly with that of theGods andGoddesses depictingmythology . It is a traditional practice to have at least some wooden dolls. There should also be a figurine of a boy and a girl together.On the 9th day (Saraswati Puja ), specialpuja s are offered toGoddess Saraswati - the divine source ofwisdom and enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in thepuja and worshipped as a source of knowledge. Also tools are placed in the pooja - as part of "Ayudha Pooja". Even vehicles are washed and decorated, andpuja performed for them.The 10th day, "Vijayadasami" - is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which evil was finally destroyed by good. It marks a new and prosperous beginning. New ventures started on this day are believed to flourish and bring prosperity. Kids often start tutoring on this day to have a head start in their education.
In the evening of "Vijayadasami", any one doll from the "
Golu " is symbolically put to sleep and the Kalasam is moved a bit towards North to mark the end of that year'sNavaratri Golu .Prayers are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year'sGolu and with a hope of a successful one the next year! Then theGolu is dismantled and packed up for the next year.
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