Navaratri
is a major Festival celebrated throughout India each year around late September
or early October. This year the nine day Festival started on Thursday September
21, 2017 and ended on Friday September 29, 2017. Dasami (Day of Victory) fell
on the 10th day, i.e. Saturday, September 30, 2017.
Navaratri
is not celebrated as lavishly at Tiruvannamalai as in other parts of India.
Perhaps one reason is that many people at this place are busy anticipating the
upcoming Deepam Festival.
One
very fascinating aspect of the Navaratri Festival, is the Kolu (Tamil=Golu)
which means “Divine Presence”. This celebration incorporates the exhibition or
display of dolls and figurines at home and in some cases at Ashrams and public
halls.
Kolu
figurines can be simple or very complicated and based upon Gods and Saints,
depictions of the Epics and Puranas (i.e. Mahabharata, Ramayana, Krishna Leelas
etc.), Demigods and National leaders, marriage occasions, musical instruments,
shops, current affairs and scenes from everyday life; such as shops, bus stop,
cars, street scenes etc.
Historically
Kolu had a significant connection with the agricultural economy of Ancient
India. In order to encourage de-silting of irrigation canals the Kolu
celebration was aimed at providing demand for clay that was needed for the
celebratory dolls. It is believed that the tradition of Kolu has been in
existence from the reign of the Vijayanagara kings.
Below
are photographs of the very elaborate, beautiful Kolu display at the ashram of
Yogi Ramsuratkumar. There
are many sections including displays depicting the abodes, life and legends of various Gods and
Goddesses.
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| Greetings from Lord Ganesha |
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| Statues of the Gods displayed on different levels of display |
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| Different aspects of the Goddess |
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| The above photograph shows the loving details of all the displays |
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| The display available to view while the Ashram was open |
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| The section on Krishna Leelas was beautifully exhibited |
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| Display of the Pancha Sthalams |
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| Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram |
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| The Navaratri Display at Yogi's Ashram gets more elaborate each year |
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| Arunachala with attendant Gods and Goddesses |
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| Major Siva Sthalams in the Country |
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| This year the Ashram displayed a large section dedicated to Lord Rama |
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| Making a bridge of stones to Sri Lanka |
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| Musicians played traditional music in the Auditorium |
