Navratri 2007

The last 10 days were filled with fun and enthusiasm. This was my second kolu after marriage. I had a small little 4-step kolu which had a gauri-ganesha pair, a shivar poojai set, a wooden band of 4 traditionally attired musicians, a wooden set of 5 fat women in descending order of height and weight. Since amma was around this time, she made the occasion even more grand and interesting with her shlokams , poojais and ofcourse her wonderful sundals and various varieties of sweets everyday.

I had invited all office friends home for 'vetrilai paaku' or 'haldi kunku' on a friday during the 10 day festival. We had a nice mehfil which lasted for almost an hour with guests as well as hosts taking part in singing carnatic music as well as filmy songs. We visited relatives and friends over the weekend and admired the wonderful kolus that they had in their houses. The festival concluded with 'Saraswathi Poojai' and then 'Vidyarambham'. For Saraswathi poojai we follow a tradition of keeping books and musical instruments in the poojai. On this day, kids usually get an excuse not to study :-) On the last day i.e 'Vijaya Dashami' or 'Vidyarambham' we are supposed to study from the books and play the instruments kept in the poojai. This day is considered auspicious for all good beginnings. Usually children start off with their music lessons, etc on this day. Also the entire house is adorned with flowers and everything at home blessed with a dash of chandanam and kumkumam.