Navaratri Golu 2014

Navaratri Golu is always a fun event for my family. This time both my mother and mother-in-law were there so it was all the more fun. My daughter also stayed home all summer. So it was a big time summer project. Our Golu consists of the five main steps or 5 main padis with 2 side attractions. The main Golu features several doll sets such as Ashtalakshmi Set, Dhashavatharam Set, Meenakshi Amman Thiru Kalyanam set etc. We made a main Peedam for Lord Ganesha in the centre. We also added a 3 plates of colorful Sabudhana Rangoli Kolam this year. One of the side attractions dipslays the "Aarru padai veedu" i.e the 6 main temples of Lord Muruga in South India. We also wanted to represent the main aspects of the temple so we made dolls carrying Pal Kodam and Kavadi, we made Golden Chariot (Thanga Therru) with people pulling it. We also made Theppam with a small floating Mandabam with Muruga in it. We also depicted Muruga's Mayil Vahanam. Our other side attraction is a fun elements mainly to keep the kids engaged and interested. We made Legoland (inspired by our summer trip there). We made several rides such as Carousal (that can be wound to move around), Gaint Wheel, Free Fall, Dumbo ride, Lady bug train and a horse buggy. We also made several small things out of legos depicting a cafe, rock show stage, games section, ticket booth, kids play ground, tree house, snack carts and trolleys. All of the side attractions were made from scraps of paper/card board and other house hold things we normally throwaway. The dolls in the Aarru padai veedu were made with plastic spoons, Jumbo sticks and a whole lot of creativity. Hope you enjoy looking at our Golu.