Over 2000 Km by road, in around 10 days. Stunning landscapes, wonderful people. That sums up our Ladakh trip. But how did it actually work? How did we make it happen? Read on to find out! Leh, the capital of Ladakh , is accessible by air and road. Flying into Leh is the easiest, and time-saving option, while the road is the time consuming one, but with the added advantage of driving past some of the most beautiful landscapes in our country. Each option has much to recommend it, and we chose the road for just one reason – altitude sickness. Altitude sickness was one of my biggest concerns, since I suffer from motion-sickness. Yes, I do travel a lot, but that is despite my condition, and, over the years, have learnt how to handle it. I struggled with it when we visited Nathu-La in Sikkim, and wondered if I would be able to manage a week at the even higher altitudes that we would encounter in Ladakh. This was the reason we stuck to a basic plan, of only 9 days in Ladakh, though we
I live in an area which is predominantly South Indian, and has three temples within the colony itself. Today, I am taking you along to the smallest temple - dedicated to the Goddess Mariamman (the most popular form of the goddess worshipped in the rural areas of Southern India). This temple keeps a Golu every year, and the interesting thing is that all the dolls have been donated by people. I enjoy visiting this temple during Navaratri just because I can see some old and wonderful clay dolls of Gods and Goddesses, which are infinitely more beautiful than their newer counterparts.
Here is the overall view.... there are two sets of steps which have been combined to keep all the dolls...
And here are some interesting dolls....
These are Samhith's favourites....
The houses.....
..... and this pumpkin!
I liked this Dakshinamoorthi with his disciples - the four sages.
There are two sets here... one is the marriage set and the other is a group praying to a Ganesha near a tree.
I loved these two dolls... one wearing a six yards saree and the other wearing the traditional nine yards one...
And here is a closer look at the tree. There are idols at the base, such as a Ganesha and a lingam. There are also four statuettes of snakes, a sight commonly seen in temples in Southern India. Wish I had one of these!
And finally, here is the Devi herself, all decked up for the evening pujas....
A closer look at her...
Here is the overall view.... there are two sets of steps which have been combined to keep all the dolls...
And here are some interesting dolls....
These are Samhith's favourites....
The houses.....
..... and this pumpkin!
I liked this Dakshinamoorthi with his disciples - the four sages.
There are two sets here... one is the marriage set and the other is a group praying to a Ganesha near a tree.
I loved these two dolls... one wearing a six yards saree and the other wearing the traditional nine yards one...
And here is a closer look at the tree. There are idols at the base, such as a Ganesha and a lingam. There are also four statuettes of snakes, a sight commonly seen in temples in Southern India. Wish I had one of these!
Here is a new set I have not seen before. This one depicts the Lakshmi Kubera Puja. The pair at the centre are Kubera, the God of wealth and his wife Sittarini. Above is Goddess Lakshmi, pouring Gold Coins, symbolizing wealth. On the two sides are Yakshas, and in front are pots of puffed rice and coins covered with sugar candy. To read more about Kubera Lakshmi, click here. Incidentally, there is a lotus placed in front of Kubera with a golden fish on it. I have been unable to find the significance of this, except that the fish is considered auspicious and signifies the presence of Lord Vishnu in Matsya avatar. If anyone can throw any light on this, please do write in and I shall update this post with your information.
And finally, here is the Devi herself, all decked up for the evening pujas....
Thats all for today....Lets see what tomorrow brings!
Lovely pictures all, I like the pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteThis is a grand Golu! Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDelete(To read more about Kubera Lakshmi, click here. - This is not hyperlinked).
:)
@Mridula: thanks... it was so real...
ReplyDelete@Bindhu: thanks so much.... seem to have missed linking it... have done it now!
Sooper
ReplyDeletewas just wishing I could take my kids to see an authentic Golu, and here is one... I shall show it to them surely
BTW where is yours in its completed version
sorry I somehow missed your first post on N...
ReplyDeletewonderful
By showcasing a golu each day, you are sparing us a temple visit. Lovedthe previous blogs. Excellent photos. will watch regularly.
ReplyDeleteVery colorful! You have started a wonderful series.
ReplyDelete