Over the years I've learn't a lot of Samprathayam (or procedures) to be followed while keeping a Bommai Golu. Thought I'd share a few pointers.
Every Bommai Golu must have the following:
1. The Golu Padi
The Golu dolls are kept on steps called the Golu Padi. Traditionally 9 steps are kept...the significance of 9 are many: in honor of 9 nights of the festival or the 9 planets (nava grahas) or the 9 forms of devotion (nava vida bhakti) or the one I personally believe in is the 9 steps to attain Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth - death - rebirth). However one could also choose to keep less than 9 steps. The steps should always be an odd number 3,5 or 7 steps and should not exceed 9 steps. The steps are covered with a cloth before the dolls are placed. Most people use a white cloth...I use a white cloth first and then drape a saree over it to add color.
2. Golu Padi reeti (or the rules to be followed while keeping the golu dolls)
The Kalasam
A kalasam is a representation of creation. A way of invoking The Goddess - Devi. Thro' the 9 days archanai (offering flowers) is performed in front of the kalasam.
First rice is mixed with manjal (turmuric powder) and kungumum (vermillion powder) and placed on a base plate. A pot (made of mud, brass, copper or silver) forms the base of the kalasam. The pot is filled with water. (5 or 7) Mango leaves and a coconut are placed at the mouth of the pot. The coconut is also smeared with manjal. Once the kalasam is placed, it should not be moved for 9 nights, hence care should be taken to ensure that the water doesn't go stale or the mango leaves don't dry up. (Tip: Add camphor and elaichi to the water). The Goddess' face is then tied on the coconut. A new red blouse piece is placed on the head of the coconut and the entire kalasam is decorated with flowers and jewellery.The method os setting the kalasam differs from region and also family traditions followed. I've explained what we have been practicing in house for the last 4 generations.
This is how the kalasam looks in our bommai golu
4. The Marapachi Bommai (Wooden Couple Dolls)
A male and a female form are chiseled out of special medicinal wood, decorated like a bride and a groom and presented to every girl at the time of her marriage. A tradition, that, perhaps began during the era of child marriages, what better gift to give a 10 year old bride...dolls. Over the years these dolls have become family heirlooms. Every Bommai Gollu reserves a special place for the marapachi dolls handed down over generations.
5. Kolam and Prasadam
Rangoli or kolam is usually put at the doorstep of the house and in front of the kalasam. The kolam is made of rice powder which attracts and feeds ants. Every day fresh prasadam is made and offered to the goddess. The prasadam is usually a different kind of sundal each day. Apart from the sundal prasadam, fresh flowers, water and fruits are also offered.
6. Kutu Velaku
A pair of kutu velakus' or a diyas are placed on either side of the kalasam.
Every Bommai Golu must have the following:
1. The Golu Padi
The Golu dolls are kept on steps called the Golu Padi. Traditionally 9 steps are kept...the significance of 9 are many: in honor of 9 nights of the festival or the 9 planets (nava grahas) or the 9 forms of devotion (nava vida bhakti) or the one I personally believe in is the 9 steps to attain Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth - death - rebirth). However one could also choose to keep less than 9 steps. The steps should always be an odd number 3,5 or 7 steps and should not exceed 9 steps. The steps are covered with a cloth before the dolls are placed. Most people use a white cloth...I use a white cloth first and then drape a saree over it to add color.
2. Golu Padi reeti (or the rules to be followed while keeping the golu dolls)
- Counting from the top, the first 3 steps are usually occupied by Gods. I personally follow the following order: the first step is for dolls of Supreme Gods: Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga or Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
- The Ashta Lakshmi's occupy the 2nd step. The order of keeping the 8 Lakshmi's is: Adhi lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi (grains: symbolizing food), Dhairya lakshmi (bravery), Gaja lakshmi (for the animals), Santhana lakhmi (for progeny), Vijaya lakshmi (for victory), Vidhya lakhmi (for knowledge) and Dhaya lakhmi (for compassion).
- On the 3rd step we have Dasavataram (the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu). The order is: Matsya (Fish), Kurma (Tortoise), Varaha (Bore), Narasimha (Half lion half man), Vamana (with an umbrella), Parasurama (with axe), Balrama ( with plough), Sriram (with bow), Sri Krishna (with flute) and Kalki.
- The 4th step is reserved for the siddhars, saints and enlightened souls: like Alvars, Nayanmars, Shankarachariya...
- 5th Step is for those who have contributed to the society...like the freedom fighters, philosophers, philanthropists, composers etc: Vivekananda, Chinmayananda, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Shaama Shaastri, Thyagaraja, Mahatma Gandhi...to name a few
- 6th step is where mere mortals are placed...most people will set the village scene, farming scene, wedding scene, temple scene etc in this step...In honor of the traders community, every Golu has a Chettiar and his wife along with bowls of salt, sugar, lentils and rice. They are also placed in this step.
- The last 3 steps are for animals, bird and crawling insects in that order.
- It is believed that every soul has to pass thro' these 9 steps to attain Mukthi from the cycle of rebirth.
The Kalasam
A kalasam is a representation of creation. A way of invoking The Goddess - Devi. Thro' the 9 days archanai (offering flowers) is performed in front of the kalasam.
First rice is mixed with manjal (turmuric powder) and kungumum (vermillion powder) and placed on a base plate. A pot (made of mud, brass, copper or silver) forms the base of the kalasam. The pot is filled with water. (5 or 7) Mango leaves and a coconut are placed at the mouth of the pot. The coconut is also smeared with manjal. Once the kalasam is placed, it should not be moved for 9 nights, hence care should be taken to ensure that the water doesn't go stale or the mango leaves don't dry up. (Tip: Add camphor and elaichi to the water). The Goddess' face is then tied on the coconut. A new red blouse piece is placed on the head of the coconut and the entire kalasam is decorated with flowers and jewellery.The method os setting the kalasam differs from region and also family traditions followed. I've explained what we have been practicing in house for the last 4 generations.
This is how the kalasam looks in our bommai golu
4. The Marapachi Bommai (Wooden Couple Dolls)
A male and a female form are chiseled out of special medicinal wood, decorated like a bride and a groom and presented to every girl at the time of her marriage. A tradition, that, perhaps began during the era of child marriages, what better gift to give a 10 year old bride...dolls. Over the years these dolls have become family heirlooms. Every Bommai Gollu reserves a special place for the marapachi dolls handed down over generations.
5. Kolam and Prasadam
Rangoli or kolam is usually put at the doorstep of the house and in front of the kalasam. The kolam is made of rice powder which attracts and feeds ants. Every day fresh prasadam is made and offered to the goddess. The prasadam is usually a different kind of sundal each day. Apart from the sundal prasadam, fresh flowers, water and fruits are also offered.
6. Kutu Velaku
A pair of kutu velakus' or a diyas are placed on either side of the kalasam.
Well written article. I was hoping to find the history behind keeping Golu and when this tradition started, would you have any ideas?
ReplyDeleteIt is generally believed that Mother Bala Tripura Sundari, being a young child, loved playing with dolls. It is in view of this, and with a view to encourage the temple craftsmen of Tamizh Nadu to spread their craft far and wide, that Golu was started.
DeleteThanks for the article, every year i had my mom in law to guide me. But now i miss her guidance. This article has proved to be a boon. Thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteHello. Can you please guide as to which direcrion the golugshould be place
ReplyDeleteCan put kalasam only at home? Without kolu
ReplyDeleteSure you can. But if you have atleast 2 mara pacchi, better.
DeleteHi..which step to keep kalasam some say at top and some say at d base
ReplyDeleteCan u pls clarify?
Some people say only if its a custom and u are able to observe all the norms you can keep kalasam so accordingly you can decide its an option to keep on the first step or last step..
DeleteIt should be in the center of the 2nd step from the top, as advised by my 83 year old mother.
DeleteAt center of second step from top.
DeleteWonder full information which was very help ful to know
ReplyDeleteGood information. Is there any specific step for placing the marapachi dolls??
ReplyDeleteOn either side of the kalasham on the second step from the top.
DeleteCan we start without கலசம். And after years, can we start keeping kalasam
ReplyDeleteKalasham is mandatory. You can skip all the rest.
Deletein my family there is no golu followed but we want to start . can we start or do we consult anyone ?
ReplyDeleteTake 2 wooden dolls as gifts from an old sumangali lady and start.
DeleteIf I plan to keep only 5 steps what should be kept in these 5 steps ?
ReplyDeleteIf I plan to keep only 5 steps what should be kept in these 5 steps ?
ReplyDeleteIs it mandatory every year to keep golu if we start it once, that we don't miss and start again ?
ReplyDeleteDue to personal reasons Can we keep Golu for last 7 days
ReplyDeleteUseful article... We started to Arrange the kolu on 2nd day of the festival only... Is it okay or not?? And it is compulsory to keep kolu every year once it started??
ReplyDeleteVery good information madam.
ReplyDeleteI have a query, in the night we need to do aarthi and place one of the doll in sleeping posture to make them sleep.is it so? Again morning as usual pooja, prasadam, lightening the lamp..
Very informative article. Have a query, in which pada should I keep the marapachi bommai?
ReplyDeleteDo we have to keep the Golu every year once started? is that so strict?
ReplyDeleteBecause I am lady and for some reasons I am unable to keep one year due to some health issue, wil it be a problem?