Memories of Navratri

Navratri. These 9 days bring back a hell lotta memories. Golu (its a creative display of dolls in odd numbered steps), Vettalai Paakku, Chundal, Naivedyam, Saraswati Poojai, Vijaya Dashami.  The building where I used to stay was Southie dominated. It was a combo of all Iyers, Iyengaars, Andhraites and Kannadigas. Here’s a glimpse of what used to happen:

The entire house was washed and Mamma drew amazing Kolams. Mango leaves torans (festoons) were put up on the main doors and in our poojai room. Though we didn’t have Golu at our place, Mom used to keep a Kalasham and do the pooja. My favourite part was the one where in I used to arrange for the Vettalai (betel leaf) Paakku (betel nut) in a plate. 2 0r 4 betel leaves, 2 betel nuts, a pair of tumeric roots, kumkum packet, a coconut, fruits, flowers, one or two rupee coins, one packet of prasadam (invariably, it was Chundal) and a small gift. Now this gift changed every year. Small mirrors, bangles, kajal, etc.  

I had an Andhra neighbour (Avva [– grandmother in Telugu]! Meeru ippudu ekada unnaru?) who used to baby sit me as a kid and I was treated like a granddaughter. Man, there’s was a big family with 4 sons, 4 daughters-In-law and their kids, where each couple had 2 kids! I, along with other granddaughters, was given complete freedom in deciding which doll needs to be placed in which step, which colour to be chosen for decorating the Mara Paachi bommai (doll), etc. My responsibility didn’t end there. I used to dress up and go to all the other flats to invite all the aunties and their girls for Vettalai Paaku. Yep, to the Andhra couple’s house as well as mine. I used to invite them in Telugu for Avva’s house and in Tamil to my place. Gosh! Those were the days.

I had 3 friends and these were my paattu class (music class) friends. We were always invited to all the houses and were supposed to sing in front of the Golu. So Navratri was something that we as kids always looked forward to. We used to decide days in advance what colour pattu pavadai to wear, how to do up hair, what colour pottu (bindi), glass bangles or plastic ones, etc. I was never in favour of glass bangles (though I love them and have an amazing collection) since they could end up getting broken while putting Thalam, while singing. So there used to be some tu tu main main before deciding to go with plastic bangles (matching ones).

Vijaya Dashami, the last day, is the one that I will always recall fondly. Our music teacher used to teach us new songs, new students would get enrolled and all this happened in Bhavani Temple. The temple used to be beautifully lit up and Goddess Bhavani used to be decorated in the most spectacular way! Yellow and Red coloured silk sari nicely draped, decked in fine jewels and flowers, the Goddess looked bewitchingly gorgeous!

These images and memories are so etched in my mind and are so fresh as if these happened just yesterday! Wonder if that temple still celebrates Navratri with such aplomb. 

 BTW, Happy Navaratri all!