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Odisha Part 2 - Puri: The Experience of Jagannath

The temple of Jagannath at Puri is one of the four most important temples across India. Sometimes called the Char Dham – Badrinath in the north, Rameswaram in the South, Dwarka in the west, and Puri in the east – these temples mark four corners of our country, and each of these temples has a connection to Adi Shankara. He is said to have travelled to each of them, thus marking a sacred geography of India, long before the country actually existed. Among these 4 temples, 3 are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, while only Rameswaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva, though the lingam there is said to have been installed by Rama. Further, Shankara set up Mutts at 3 of these sites (or very close to these sites, like at Badrinath, where the mutt is at Joshimutt), while the mutt in the south is at Sringeri in Karnataka, quite a distance away from Rameswaram. Coming back to the topic, I have visited Rameswaram most often, Badrinath during my childhood, and Dwaraka a few times, but Puri had stayed out of re...
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Navaratri 2015 : The Chembur Fine Arts Golu

The Golu at the Chembur Fine Arts is one we look forward to, every year. Not only is it huge, and the dolls are beautiful, but there is always something new and interesting to see, to appreciate. Besides, the experience is enhanced by the music, with students of the institution performing in the evenings. Here is a glimpse of this year's golu..... 

The Main Golu... all of 15 steps! 


The lower steps, with the elaborate kolam

A new addition... the kalasam with the coconut being extended to resemble Ganesha!

Some of the impressive dolls





I first thought this was Vishnu and Lakshmi on Garuda...
a closer look revelaled that this was Gajendra Moksham! 

Samhith's favourites were of course the animals! Esp the cow, which resembles the one we have at home!



The smaller Golu on the side... 

I loved these dolls... dressed so beautifully in costumes from various states / religions

These steps had dolls of saints... including Gandhiji and Swami Vivekananda



Kolam with Nava dhanyam.. nine grains

A village temple scene


people praying to Ganesha under a tree

At the pond

Snake Charmer


And finally, handmade dolls depicting the story of Srinivasa Kalyanam...
the marriage of Srinivasa and Padmavathi, at Tirupati



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Location: The Fine Arts Society, Postal Colony, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400071, India

Comments

  1. NatalieGOctober 22, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    Wow, so elaborate! Is this the biggest Golu of the ones you saw this year? It must have taken a long time to set up! The kolum is very beautiful.

    I am slowly learning more about various deities/gods/goddesses in the Hindu pantheon as I read your blog, Anu! :) Thanks for the detailed captions on the pictures you post.

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