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As I had mentioned in my earlier GOLU is an important event in Tamilnadu.I remember my days of chidhood when we used to unpack,arrange dolls,buy new ones,set theme parks and invite our friends and it used to be real fun.But all households do not follow this and so after my marriage no more of Golu work.I would like to share my experiences and how we used to arrange the dolls.

The GOLU starts on PURATASI AMAVASAI also known as MAHALAYA AMAVASAI which is on September 19th this year.

The steps arranged depends on the collection of dolls and usually in odd numbers

Ready made steps are available and I remember our dining table used along with bricks and wooden planks as steps

Decorate the steps according to your creativity

Kalasam,usually a brass pot is used,is prepared and placed either in the middle of the top step or on the last one

Arrange the dolls,usually all Gods and Goddesses occupy the top step,followed by national leaders etc

Dolls made of mud and wooden dolls were a must those days but today dolls are made with paper.

Buy atleast one new doll every year

After arranging the dolls draw kolam in front of the steps and this can be done everyday

Light the Kuthuvillaku and do pooja with bettleleaves,nuts,fruits and flowers with any NeivediyamThis should be done everyday in the morning and evening

Aarathi should be taken every night for the Golu steps

Give Thambulam and Sundal to whoever visits

As I had mentioned in my earlier GOLU is an important event in Tamilnadu.I remember my days of chidhood when we used to unpack,arrange dolls,buy new ones,set theme parks and invite our friends and it used to be real fun.But all households do not follow this and so after my marriage no more of Golu work.I would like to share my experiences and how we used to arrange the dolls.

The GOLU starts on PURATASI AMAVASAI also known as MAHALAYA AMAVASAI which is on September 29th this year.

The steps arranged depends on the collection of dolls and usually in odd numbers

Ready made steps are available and I remember our dining table used along with bricks and wooden planks as steps

Decorate the steps according to your creativity

Kalasam,usually a brass pot is used,is prepared and placed either in the middle of the top step or on the last one

Arrange the dolls,usually all Gods and Goddesses occupy the top step,followed by national leaders etc

Dolls made of mud and wooden dolls were a must those days but today dolls are made with paper.

Buy atleast one new doll every year

After arranging the dolls draw kolam in front of the steps and this can be done everyday

Light the Kuthuvillaku and do pooja with bettleleaves,nuts,fruits and flowers with any NeivediyamThis should be done everyday in the morning and evening

Aarathi should be taken every night for the Golu steps

Give Thambulam and Sundal to whoever visits

NAVARATHRI is a festival celebrated in different ways in each state of India.The most important part of the the celebration in Tamilnadu is the GOLU/KOLU as it is called here.Dolls are arranged in steps called GOLU PADI.The dolls include right from Gods,freedom fighters,fancy dolls,parks,zoo etc to name a few.Today it is even theme based and it has become customery in many regions that they are held as competition where the best ones are given prizes by the sponsoring companies.

One of the traditional method during Golu is inviting friends and relatives to see and giving them Thambulam which comprises of bettle leaves and nuts,any fruit,coconut,flowers,bangles to name a few and the most important being SUNDAL which is again done in many ways.So here are some varieties for you all to relish is year

The regular sundals are made by soaking the dhals for 8 hrs depending upon when you are going to prepare overnight soaking/morning.Sundals are made using Black channa,White channa,Channa dhal,Moong dhal,Green peas,White peas,Motchai,Horse gram,Greeng gram,Groundnuts/Peanuts,Red lobia (Karamani),White lobia.We should also keep in mind the hard varieties like channa, peas etc needs more time to be soaked and cook too,while moong,channa dhal etc requires lesser time 1-2 hrs.We can also make sundals with Red,White rajma,Soya beans.So here goes the SUNDAL VARIETIES for the everyday neivediyam.

TRADITIONAL METHOD-1
Ingredients
Any variety dhal-1 cup precooked with salt
Red chillies-4 nos
Mustard-1tsp
Urad dal spilt-1tsp
Asafoetida-a pinch
Curry leaves-a few
Coconut grated-1/4 cup
Oil-for seasoning

Method
Season with mustard,urad dal,asafoetida,red chilly
Add the pre-cooked sundal,saute for 5 min
Add grated coconut and saute for another 5 min.
Serve garnished with curry leaves

TRADITIONAL METHOD-2
Ingredients
Any variety sundal dal-1cup pre cooked with salt

To Grind
Coriander seeds-2tsp
Red chillies-4 nos
Coconut grated-1/4 cup
Small onions-5nos
Saunf-1tsp

To season
Oil-as required
Mustard-1tsp
Urad dal spilt-1tsp
Ginger-a small piece
Curry leaves-a few
Coriander leaves-for garnish

Method
Season with all the ingredients
Add the precooked sundal and saute
Add the grinded ingredients and saute till the raw smell goes
Serve garnished with coriander leaves
To break the monotony we can also make a colourful sundal with the combination of a handful of all the dhals which the children would relish.We can also add grated carrot,mango,cucumber,ginger,garlic,cabbage etc to improve taste.
Here are some recipes which I've come across

MODERN VARIETIES
CORN SUNDAL
Ingredients
Corn-1
Big onions-2(chopped finely)
Red chilly-4
Mustard-1tsp
Coconut grated-2tbsp
Salt,oil-as required
Lemon-1/2
Curry leaves-a few

Method
Cook the corn with salt and remove from the cob
Season with the ingredients
Add the corn,coconut and saute for 5min
Remove and add lime juice
Serve garnished with curry leaves
Chaat masala can also be added

GREEN MOONG/KARAMANI/ SWEET SUNDAL
Ingredients
Green moong ful /Karamani-1 cup precooked
Jaggery powdered-1/2cup
Coconut grated-2 tbsp
Ghee-2 tsp
Cardamon powder-a pinch

Method
In a heavy bottomed vessel add ghee,coconut,Green moong/Karamani and jaggery
Remove,once the jaggery becomes thick and garnish with cardomon powder

TRICOLOUR MAGIC
Ingredients
Soya beans-1 cup precooked with salt
Carrot grated-1/2 cup
Coconut grated-1tbsp
Capsicum sliced finely-1/4 cup
Chilly powder-1/2 tsp
Oil,salt-as required
Mustard-1tsp
Asafoetida-a pinch
Coriander leaves-to garnish

Method
Season with all the ingredients
Add soyabeans,coconut,carrot,capsicum and saute for 10 min
Serve garnished with coriander leaves

PUFFED SAGO SUNDAL
Ingredients
Big sago-1/2 cup
Garam masala powder-1tsp
Chilly powder-1tsp
Carrot grated-2tbsp
Oil-1/2 cup
Salt-as required

Method
Heat oil in a kadai,add the sago little by little till they puff up
Remove add the powders,salt and grated carrot

BEATEN RICE (AVAL) SUNDAL
Ingredients
Thick beaten rice-2 cups
Coconut grated-1/4 cup
Jaggery-1/4 cup
Milk-1/2 cup
Cardamon-2 powdered
Cashews-a few roasted

Method
Wash the beaten rice well
Soak it in milk for 10-15 mins
Pour a little water in the jaggery to dissolve and strain it
Heat the jaggery until it becomes to thick consistency
Add cashews and coconut
To this add the soaked rice,ghee and cardamon powder
Mix well and keep it closed for 10 mins
It would come out as grains once it cools

MASALA SUNDAL
Ingredients
Fresh Green peas-1 cup precooked with salt
Big Onions-1 cut finely
Tomato-1 cut finely
Gram flour-1tbsp
Mint leaves-1/2 cup
Saunf-1/4 tsp
Garlic-3 pods
Oil,salt-as required
Chilly powder-1tsp
Mustard-1 tsp
Asafoetida-a pinch
Curry leaves-a few

Method
Take a little of the cooked peas and grind it along with,mint,gram flour,saunf,garlic
Season with mustard,asafoetida,curry leaves and saute along cut onions and tomatoes
Add the precooked peas,saute and finely add the mint paste saute for 2min
Finally add chilly powder,salt and serve hot

Do wait for some GOLU TIPS in my next post

As mentioned in my earlier post I've compiled the pooja procedure for each day.Again it is all according to your convenience.

DAY-1

Goddess Worshipped-Maheswari

Kolam-Any kolam using rice flour

Flowers-Jasmine and Vilvam leaves

Neivediyam-Venn Pongal

Music- Songs in Thodi Ragam

Instrument-Mridangam

Goddess in North India-Saila Puthri

DAY-2

Goddess Worshipped-Gowmari

Kolam-Any kolam in squares using wheat flour

Flowers-Mullai and Tulasi leaves

Neivediyam-Puliyothare

Music-Songs in Kalyani Ragam

Instrument-Flute

Goddess in North India-Brahma Sarini

DAY-3

Goddess Worshipped-Varahi

Kolam-Flower kolam using pearls/beads

Flowers-Champangi and Maru leaves

Neivediyam-Sakkarai Pongal

Music-Songs in Kambodhi Ragam

Instrument-Veena

Goddess in North India-Chithira Ganda

Day-4

Goddess Worshipped-Sri Mahalakshmi

Kolam-Sprinkle turmeric water with rice and make step kolam

Flowers-Jadhi and green leaves

Neivediyam-Kadamba Rice

Music-Songs in Bhairavi Ragam

Instrument-Kotu Vadiyam

Goddess in North India-Koosh Maanda

DAY-5

Goddess Worshipped-Vaishnavi Devi

Kolam-Any birds figure using Groundnuts

Flowers-Parijadham and Vibudhi Green leaves

Neivediyam-Curd rice

Music-Songs in Banduvarali Ragam

Instrument-Jallari

Goddess in North India-Skanda Matha

DAY-6

Goddess Worshipped-Indirani

Kolam-Devi's name using any cereals like green moong,toordal,urad dal

Flowers-Hibiscus and Sandal leaves

Neivediyam-Coconut Rice

Music-Songs in Neelambari Ragam

Instrument-Beri

Goddess in North India-Kathyayani

DAY-7

Goddess Worshipped-Brahmi

Kolam-Any type of house kolam using flowers

Flowers-Thazhampoo and Thumbai leaves

Neivediyam-Lime Rice

Music-Songs in Bilahari Ragam

Instrument-Padagam

Goddess in North India-Kaala Rathri

DAY-8

Goddess Worshipped-Narasimhi

Kolam-Lotus kolam using coins

Flowers-Roses and Pannir leaves

Neivediyam-Pal/Milk Rice

Music-Songs in Punnagavarali

Goddess in North India-Maha Gowri

DAY-9

Goddess Worshipped-Chamundi

Kolam-Any weapons like Sulam,vel using any fragrant powders like sandal,Diraviya podi

Flowers-Lotus and Marukozhundu leaves

Neivediyam-Kalkanddu(diamond sugar) Sakkarai Pongal

Music-Songs in Vasantha Ragam

Goddess in North India-Sithithathri

Pooja done on all the nine days is good according to ancient vedas,if not,doing pooja on the Ninth Day known as Mahanavami is equally good.This is the day when Goddess Durgadevi killed Mahishasuran and is celebrated as Durga Pooja in West Bengal in a grand way.

I was indeed surprised that so much of details were followed by our ancestors.Though many of us are not aware of the flowers,instruments used and not available today we can atleast know that they were used once upon a time.

Get ready for some Sundal Varieties which are done in Tamilnadu in my next post

I was new to blogging during Navarathri festival last year.Though I posted recipes for the occasion I found out that there were lot of searches about the pooja procedures and from then I tried collecting whatever information I came across about the pooja.Finally I discussed with a friend who do the Navarathri Pooja in a traditional way and compiled the post.I hope these information will be useful for those in need of the pooja procedures.As Iam translating from Tamil,please excuse me if there are any mistakes and do let me know for the correction

Also read my previous post Facts on Navarathri Festival

HOW TO DO THE POOJA

Take a Marapalakai-wooden plank

Draw a Kolam

Place a banana leaf(the tip portion) and spread raw rice

Take a Sombu wrap thread,keep turmeric and kumkum pottu

Pour clean water to fill 3/4 of the Sombu

Add Vettiver,Cardamon,Pachai Karpuram,Javvadhu,Chandanam in the water

Drop a 1 rupee coin into the water

Place some Mango leaves on the Sombu along with coconut which is covered with turmeric powder-Manjal Thengai

This is the Kalasam for which we should do pooja for the 9 days with flowers,deepam and neivediyam along with Sundal and distribute it

In Vedic books the Goddess to be worshipped,the Flowers to be used,Kolam to be drawn,Neivediyam to be done,Raaga and Instruments to be used are also clearly given for each of the nine days.Eventhough we cannot follow them strictly we can atleast know the origin of these pooja and improve our knowledge.

My next post will have details on how to perform pooja for each of the 9 days

The festival of NAVARATHRI is celebrated in different forms and names in our country.In Tamilnadu it is celebrated as NAVARATHRI GOLU
Here the dolls are arranged in steps on Puratasi Amavasai.This festival is also known as SHARADHA NAVARATHRI.The nine days are divided into sets of three days to adore three different aspects of the Goddess.

The first three days is for Goddess DURGA ,the next three days for Goddess LAKSHMI and the last three days for Goddess SARASWATHI .The tenth day on which the goddess kills MAHISHASURA is celebrated as VIJAYADASAMI,as the victory of good over the evil.


In Tamilnadu the tenth day is known as AYUDHA POOJA .On this day people worship books,instruments,machineries,vehicles....On VIJAYADASAMI it is considered auspicious to start anything new.Here we can find lot of children joining schools,music classes and dance classes.

The 10 DIVINE FORMS of the Goddess are known as

1.Kali
2.Thirupurasundari
3.Thirupurabairavi
4.Thumavathi
5.Bhuvaneswari
6.Chinnamastha
7.Rajamathengeswari
8.Tharambigai
9.Balamugi
10.Kamalatharini

In India the NAVADURGA TEMPLES are found in Tamilnadu and North India

1.Siva Durgai-Pateeswaram,Tanjore
2.Vishnu Durgai-Thirukovilur,Cuddalore
3.Raagukala Durgai-Thiruvarur,Tanjore
4.Vana Durgai-Kadhiramangalam,Tanjore
5.Kanaga Durga-Vijayawada,Andra Pradesh
6.Sulini Durga-Kollur,Karnataka
7.Rawthra Durga-Kolkata,West Bengal
8.Saantha Durga-Chandigarh,Punjab
9.Mangala Durga-Ujjaini,Madhya Pradesh

All the above informations are my collections from religious magazines and books.Iam indeed very happy to share it with you all.