Cultivating Cultural Significance and Discipline: Unveiling the Story of our D.I.Y Kit
Our D.I.Y Navrathri Kit
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Navrathri - The festival of vibrance, joy and colours celebrated across India and other parts of the world for a period of 9 days. Just as India's local cultures exhibit great diversity, Navratri celebrations also manifest in distinct flavours across the country. Yet, the shared essence of Navratri and the enduring wisdom embedded in these ancient traditions unite these diverse festivities.
Typically, the festival is dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine energy in various ways. In the southern part of India, generally, it's 'Navarathri Golu' or 'Golu pandigai' in Tamil, 'Bommalu Koluva' in Telugu & 'Bombe Habba' in Kannada. During Navratri, people decorate their homes and temples with colourful lights, flowers, and traditional dolls called Golu Bommai. This is the doll festival of India that is celebrated during the months of September - October based on the Hindu Lunar Calendar. This year 2023, the Navrathri festival starts on the 14th of October and concludes with Vijayadasami on the 24th of October.
Elevate Your Navratri Experience with Our DIY Kit
Embrace the enchantment of Navratri like never before with our exclusive DIY Navratri Kit. It's more than just a box of materials; it's your key to crafting unforgettable memories during this festive season. Whether you're a seasoned celebrant or new to the festivities, our DIY Navratri Kit makes it easy for you to immerse yourself in the joy, traditions, and spiritual significance of Navratri. Unwrap the magic, create cherished moments, and make this Navratri truly unforgettable with our kit by your side.
Built up of a number of steps in odd numbers, ranging between 1 and 11, the dolls/idols are arranged in different steps. You can see the mandatory presence of wooden couple dolls ‘Marapachi Bommai’ made of country wood, given to the bride at her wedding to start her golu doll collection and carry forward the practice.
Marapachi Couple
Kalasham
The golu display is set up on the auspicious day of Mahalaya Amavasya. The steps are covered with clean white dhoti with borders on both ends/silk sarees, over which the dolls are arranged. Dolls in a golu are traditionally eco-friendly and made of clay, wood, or other earthy materials. Golu always reserves a special place of reverence for Devi, featuring a 'Kalasham', usually a silver/brass pot that brims with rice, coins, and is adorned with turmeric, vermilion, and silk cloth. Crowned by a turmeric-soaked coconut and adorned with mango leaves, it symbolizes the Mother Goddess and her abundance, encompassing not only material wealth but all her blessings.
Of the nine days of celebration, the first three days are dedicated to Durga, the destroyer of impurities, the next three are for Lakshmi, the one who bestows spiritual wealth, and the last three are devoted to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. The observances offer a chance to reinforce the importance of clearing our minds from unwanted thoughts and ideas and to pursue the invaluable treasures of wisdom and divine connections.
Saraswathi
Durga
Lakshmi
Apart from devis various forms, the top two steps are generally adorned with different deities like Lord Shiva, Mahavishnu, Ganesha & Karthikeya. Followed by them are the mythological characters/incarnations of the Lord. This Navrathri festival thereby creates an opportunity for us to share stories and wisdom on all the deities, mythological characters and the superpowers that are embodied in them.
You can find the incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu as Sri Rama, accompanied by Sita, Lakshmana and his beloved friend & devotee Hanuman in our DIY kit. The entire life story of Sri Rama and Sita from the Ramayana illustrates the profound ideals of righteousness and responsibility that one should uphold, regardless of the circumstances one faces. Lakshmana, the younger brother, epitomizes unwavering loyalty and love, while Hanuman embodies the essence of selfless love and devotion. Whether it's directed towards your loved ones or your duty, selfless devotion has the power to transport you to realms beyond your wildest dreams.
Hanuman
Lakshmana
Sri Rama
Sita
When we talk about selfless love and devotion with only one thought/notion in mind, how can we even forget the beings that were madly dedicated to the Supreme? Yes, arranged on the next steps are those epic devotees with a deep desire for Lord Krishna. They are the saints/poets and the divine incarnated as humans - Andal / Godha & Meera bhai. (Do check out our Thiruppavai illustrations here!)
Andal
Meera Bhai
With so many responsibilities to juggle, not all families and kids get the opportunity to celebrate or participate in the festivities. Our idea behind this DIY kit is to kindle the curiosity in younger minds and to encourage them to be part of the celebrations and practices. The Navratri DIY kit offers a unique opportunity to celebrate this festival in a creative and engaging way. With pre-cut and pre-creased sheets, the kit allows you to create your own Navratri setup and dolls, making it an exciting project for kids and adults. The kit also includes guides to understanding the significance of Navratri, helping you connect with the deeper meaning behind the festivities.
Embrace the spirit of Navratri and create lasting memories with your loved ones by using the DIY kit to decorate your home and perform traditional rituals. Let Navratri 2023 be an experience unlike any other!
D.I.Y Navrathri Kit Assembly Instruction Video