Navratri Nostalgia

I love the Navratri festival!

To me it even takes precedence over the more popular Deepavali. It probably has to do with the variety of celebrations that one can indulge in and all enjoyed over a relaxed period of 9 days.

After two years of setting up golu in Helsinki, I am in many ways happy to be back in Singapore where the festive frenzy is very visible. Helsinki golus were low key, intimate and multicultural (we once had all of Shriya's class from her International kindergarten visit our golu, another time my Estonian and Finnish dance students were the guests of honor). Singapore golu season is one to be eagerly anticipated. Falling right after the F1 mania, it can be as heady! Music and dance concerts at over 25 different temples, golu invitations, temple sahsranamam recitings, dandiya parties, the Bengali arti and Devi (the Goddess) visarjan. The celebrations are varied and endless!

Yesterday, as I was unwrapping each doll from its protective covering (done so very well by our last movers) and arranging the golu at home, I was overcome with nostalgia. There is a pair of porcelain tigers that belonged to my maternal grandmother's mother- the great grandmother I had never met! Then there is the beautiful Vaishno Devi that was gifted by my mami. The 'wedding set' complete with a bride, groom and priest, even though a little chipped, has a special place in my heart. It has adorned my mother's golu steps for several years and continues to take pride of place in mine.

Every doll has a story, a memory. And every year as I arrange the dolls and invite the Goddess to dwell in our hearts and home for the next 9 days, I feel so much closer to the long line of matriarchs in the family. I fondly reminisce the good times I've had with each one of them and imagine how the ones I had never met must have celebrated the festival in their time.


To me,Navratri golu is as much extending the tradition to the next generation as it is about connecting with the previous ones.

Happy Navratri!