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| Navaratri GOLU display in Chennai, 2023. Alamy.com |
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| OLU display in Tamil Nadu. static.mediawire.in |
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| women participating in Navaratri Golu. allevents.in/blog |
Navaratri Celebration in Tamil Nadu
Navaratri, which means "nine nights," is one of the most revered festivals in Tamil Nadu, celebrated with a combination of religious fervor, social gatherings, and cultural events. Each of the nine days is dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine energy, starting with Goddess Durga, followed by Goddess Lakshmi, and concluding with Goddess Saraswati. The festival, deeply rooted in Tamil traditions, sees people engaging in vibrant rituals, music, dance, and decorations.
During Navaratri, homes, temples, and public spaces are adorned with lamps, flowers, and colorful rangoli designs. Special pujas, fasting, and chanting of mantras are conducted to seek blessings. One of the distinctive features of Tamil Nadu’s Navaratri celebration is the Golu or Kolu tradition, a unique way of invoking the goddess’s blessings by setting up beautiful displays of dolls and figurines.
The Tradition of Golu
Golu is a traditional arrangement of clay or wooden dolls and figurines on a stepped platform called the Golu Padi, made with either wood or steel planks. The Golu stand typically has an odd number of steps, ranging from 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11, and each step is filled with an assortment of dolls, representing various deities, mythological characters, and scenes from daily life.
The arrangement symbolizes the evolution of human life and devotion, beginning from the simplest life forms at the bottom to gods and saints at the top. Traditionally, the first few steps are reserved for divine figurines like Goddess Lakshmi, Durga, Saraswati, and Lord Vishnu, while the middle tiers feature saints, leaders, and mythological stories. The lower steps display village life, animals, and modern-day themes, portraying a mix of tradition and creativity.
The Golu is set up on the first day of Navaratri, and a Kalasham (a brass or silver pot filled with water, adorned with mango leaves and a coconut) is placed at the top to signify prosperity and the goddess’s presence. During the nine days, families invite friends and relatives to view the Golu, sing devotional songs, and share prasadam (offered food).
Cultural and Social Activities
Navaratri in Tamil Nadu is not only a religious event but also a cultural extravaganza. In cities like Chennai and Coimbatore, music and dance concerts (especially Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam) are organized. These events draw enthusiasts and performers, adding to the festive spirit. People also organize competitions, storytelling sessions, and thematic displays around the Golu, encouraging participation from children and the community. In the villages, Pulikali (tiger dance) is performed by trained people accompanied by certain drums. This native Koothu dance is on the decline nowadays on account of lack of interest among the youngsters. Many temples in this state display Golu on the temple premises.
Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja
The ninth day of Navaratri is celebrated as Ayudha Puja, where people worship tools, vehicles, and instruments they use in their professions. Artisans, workers, and shopkeepers decorate their equipment with flowers, perform rituals, and take a day off. The tenth day, Vijayadasami, is considered auspicious for beginning new ventures, learning, or starting education.
Navaratri in Tamil Nadu is thus a perfect blend of faith, family bonding, art, and creativity, where the Golu tradition stands as a beautiful expression of devotion and heritage.
https://www.revv.co.in/blogs/road-tr
ips-to-tamil-nadu-during-golu-festival/
https://www.navrangindia.in/2020/10/navaratri-celebrtions-in-southern.html
https://www.navrangindia.in/2021/10/fascinating-festival-of-navaratri-why.html
