Skip to main content

Featured Post

The Vaishnodevi Experience 2023

My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.

Navaratri 2015 : Family Kolus

You have seen the Bommai Kolu we have kept at our home. You have seen a few of the Devis who have captured my attention during my travels. The last few days have been ultra busy, visiting friends and relatives, and hosting a few at our home. Today, let me share with you two of the most impressive Kolus from our family..... The first one is the one kept by my mom and aunt....




They do an impressive job, and its apparent where I get the interest and the creativity from :) Here is their effort this year....

The steps...

Manu-needhi Chola holding court
A marriage set

Band Baaja

Rama and Sita with Lakshman and Hanuman (not in order), a set we bought at Tirupati, years ago! They are so beautifully carved, they were hard to resist!

Assorted vessels and scenes

A whole collection of Marapachis. Samhith had fun counting them!

These aren't store bought, but made by my aunt! And these are just a few!! 

The second one is a new one for me, kept by Shankar's niece, Aparna. It was our first visit to their home for Navaratri post her marriage, and we were blown away by their dolls! Samhith spent quite some time simply sitting by their Kolu, admiring the huge and beautiful dolls! Here is a glimpse.  

An overview of their golu.. simply beautiful! 

This one was my favourite! 
A closer look at the steps

Viswaroopa Darshanam, as shown by Krishna to Arjuna

Aala-elai Krisna... so beautiful! Wish I had the space to keep such huge dolls!


And here is their unique touch! Decorated with handmade jewelry... Yes, we have lots of creative people in the family!!

And finally, a look at the whole set up..

Though there are many kolus I have seen this year, these are the only two from the family I will be posting this year, since I, rather surprisingly, forgot to take my camera along to most homes! 

Also, this year, we miss Mr. Swamy's superb arrangement, since he has shifted to his hometown. There are still a few I have to visit, like the ones at Fine Arts and our local Mariammman Temple, and I shall post photos as and when I do so.... 

Comments

  1. Happy Navarathri Anu, love ur kolu pics

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this festival. We don't have this tradition. But every Navaratri I don't miss to go to the street where they sell dolls. Loved the arrangements here. You are right, you have many creative people in your family.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The vishwaroopa darshanam is really a very beautiful set! Hard to find such what we call "kalai" in dolls they make today :)
    I was also hoping you would put up the photos of that uncle's creation.... The one who made a replica of rasika ranjani sabha n railway

    Kanthi

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please leave a comment for me so that I will know you have been here....

Popular posts from this blog

Gokarna Part II – The Five Lingams

We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavanteshw

The Power of 8 - The Ashta Dikpalas and Ashta Vasus at Khajuraho

The four cardinal directions form the axis on which a temple is built, and are thus the basis of temple architecture. Leading from them are the eight directions, which are believed to be guarded by the eight guardians, or Ashta Dikpalas . In the temples of Khajuraho, great care has been taken by the sculptors to carve the Ashta Dikpalas on the walls, both inside and outside. They not only guard the temple, but also look over us as we circumambulate the shrine, protecting us by their presence. They are augmented by the Ashta Vasus , celestial beings which represent natural phenomena. Together, they enhance the idea of the temple as cosmos, enfolding within it, all the aspects of nature, both, on earth, as well in space.

Rama Temple, Gokarna

To my right , the waves rush to the shore, eager to merge with the sand. To my left, the same waves crash against the rocks, their spray diverting my reverie as I ponder over the beauty of nature, and wonder what first brought people here. Was it this beauty that encouraged them to build a temple here, or was it the fresh, sweet spring water flowing from the hill here that made this place special? No matter what the reason, I am glad my auto driver brought me here. We are at the Rama temple in Gokarna, just a few minutes away from the Mahabaleshwara Temple, yet offering so different a perspective.