Navratri Golu is a vibrant and cherished tradition in South India, especially in Tamilnadu. During the nine nights, families set up steps to showcase a multi-tiered display of dolls and figurines called Golu.
The depictions differ for each family as they could be scenes from daily life or Hindu mythology. Every evening, families offer foods such as pulses and sweets to the Golu as prasad and exchange greetings, gifts, and sweets. They sing devotional songs together and recite shlokas that give a divine vibe. Children and adults enjoy the creativity and craftsmanship involved in making these displays. Some of these dolls or figurines are carried across generations. There is a lot of happiness when you visit Golus at other houses to watch the type of dolls they’ve used in their displays. The nine days are dedicated to celebrating Goddess Durga in her different forms.
This is a good time to get together with family members and friends that foster community spirit and cultural heritage. There is a recent color code that started becoming a trend. Every year before Navratri a colour code is devised that lists out colours for each day.
Months before Navratri we take time to plan the food items to offer, dolls to display, the themes to decide, dresses to wear, and return gifts to give people who visit the house.
This trend of deciding what to wear as per the color code for the year impressed me much. In 2020, I started draping sarees as per the color code. This is a great way to wear sarees that have been lying around in the wardrobe. Restyle the sarees in different ways. My mother used to help me decide the sarees and choose what accessories that go with them.
2021, everything was all set for the golu that year from guest lists to sarees to drape, and what prasad to offer each day, but there came a big blow that we never expected. We lost mom to a sudden massive heart attack. My entire world came down shattered into pieces which I’d never knew I’d be able to build back again.
Days passed but I couldn’t gather myself, but I decided what I should do. I draped the sarees of my mom in memory of her. Every saree felt like a warm hug. Touchwood, till this year I’ve been draping sarees as per the color code each year. It gives me a sense of joy to celebrate what mom loved to do and how she would love to see me. Golu every year is so special to me, I carry forward the tradition from mom and would take it forward to the next.
This post is a part of ‘Feeling Festive Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed .
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
That Madras Mom 
My two attempts at wearing a sari have been miserable. I so admire women who can live and work in a sari! It looks exotic. Also, never seen golus, so am curious to see them in 2025 now.
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I have seen these golu presentations and they were lovely. Some of my neighbours had staged them so nicely each depicting a scene of some sort.
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loved your photos and the idea of wearing sarees everyday as per the color. Never seen golu but it sounds like a beautiful thing to do, especially together with loved ones.
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This was such a beautiful post about your love/memories of your mother and the tradition of golu. I have many friends who call me for golu or Durga chalisa during navratri and they tell what colour to wear. It is a lot of fun to see different shades of the same colour.
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I am so sorry to hear about your mom. And kudos to you for showing up even after this dreaded news. I am sure she is watching over you and would be happy to see you in her sarees. A big hug. A heartfelt post !
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Heyy Chinmayee, thanks for reading
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I am so sorry to hear about your mom. But kudos to you for deciding to show up in her sarees. I am sure she is watching over you all the time. Lovely collages , btw!
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Dear Sindhu, its a very touchy, Impactful, soulful and cultural post from you. I got to experience Golu Navaratri for the first although I heard about it long back this year. After losing my father a month before Navaratri made me feel broken 💔 from within although not depressed as I atleast know that his soul is relieved from the pain he was undergoing for last couple of years. So I was in no mood of celebrating Durga Puja for me. But u know when God wants to take out of pain and when my departed father wanted to make me feel good … something they do without letting u know and I felt that this time. Malar… an smiling lady of our society whom I knew for few years not that closely ranf my Door bell 2 days before Maha Saptami along with my next door neighbor Shankari both from Tamil Nadu. She invited me for the Golu Navaratri at her place. I smiled a little that day after coming back from my parents house after the rituals… I understood Devi Durga wants me to come out of pain… trust me I stepped out of house with Shankari after so many days to visit Malar’s house. I loved the way she did the arrangements exactly as you said in steps …. 5 steps I remember in her house all decorated with dolls 🪆 and idols… what a blissful experience for me. For me Malar was send by the Goddess and my father’s soul to experience life in a better way. Yes she also talked about the colors of individual days that she also follows while wearing sarees on these days. Your post reminded me again of Golu Navaratri memories. Stay blessed Sindhu 🙌
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Wow that is really à bliss moment you experienced Samata. Thank you 👍 for sharing your experience
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India is so diverse that we don’t even know a festivities are celebrated in different parts of the country. Navratri Golu is one such festival. It is interesting that Dolls are fed with choicest food items by ladies dressed in their beautiful attire. Many of these Dolls are carried forward across generations. Isn’t this how a tradition is created? So heartening that you continued the tradition after your mother passed away.
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Sindhu, first of all let me compliment you on your festive saree looks – you look like a classical heroine – so elegant and graceful!
Festivals can be difficult when we have lost a loved one, and I am glad that you found solace in draping your Mom’s saree and reviving her memory.
Through a Tamil friend I was aware of the interesting and beautiful culture of Golu and displaying dolls too so that was no surprise but the details of the festival and visiting families was new.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post- Happy festivals!
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What a beautiful tribute to your mother, Sindhu! She would have loved to see you wearing her saris and looking so resplendent! It is wonderful that you are carrying on the traditions fostered by your mother. May God be with you!
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Everyone has a way to cope up with a loss of their loved ones. It’s a really difficult task when the blow comes out of nowhere. I am glad that you found a way start your journey.
It must have felt a step forward with every warm hug for those 9 days.
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Yes it was a great way to cope through the loss
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Festivals can be hard when we’ve lost someone dear, and I’m glad you found comfort in wearing your mom’s saree to keep her memory alive., and you look absolutely stunning in your festive saree – so elegant and graceful,
Here in Oman, I have many friends from the South and have celebrated the Golu festival with them.
One day, I was watching a Japanese cartoon and saw a similar tradition in their culture. I was surprised to see they have a festival like ours!
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Oh wow that’s nice to know Anjali. Can you let me know which japanese cartoon it was
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It is difficult to celebrate a festival when we lose a loved on but we must go on. You are looking so lovely in your mother’s sarees and it is a lovely tribute to her. God bless.
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Thank you aunty ☺️
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Lovely write-up on the golu tradition in TN. The work is backbreaking, and yet I find so many women happily embrace the hardwork. Kudos to them. Sorry about your mom! No replacement and yet she’ll always be there!
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Thank you so much. It involves a lot for work but it’s a family team
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What a beautifully heartfelt reflection on Navratri Golu!
Your words truly capture the essence of this cherished tradition and the deep connections it fosters within families and communities. I admire how you’ve honored your mother’s memory through the sarees you drape each year, transforming your grief into a celebration of love and remembrance.
It’s inspiring to see how you continue to carry forward her legacy while creating new memories.
Thank you for sharing your journey and the vibrant spirit of Golu with us! 🌼✨
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Thank you. Yes it’s my way of embracing the loss and learning to take her tradition forward
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i can’t even think how much difficult it can be to celebrate a festival without your lived one. I loves how you embraced your mom’s sarees and make her part of your celebration
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Thank you for reading the post. These are ways through which I cope up with the loss
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Deep condolences and tight hugs to you Sindhu. Losing a loved one takes a lifetime of healing and is never easy to cope with but you found a wonderful to remember your mom. Let me first just say that you look amazing in all the sarees. And I’m sure your mom is blessing you wholeheartedly and is very proud and happy to see you carrying on the tradition. Thanks for sharing about Golu Navratri with us. I have one question btw, are the dolls purchased or are they made by the families themselves in any particular manner?
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They’re purchased. It’s comes through generation and we also get them as gifts from the bride’s family during navratri with which sshe continues the tradition.
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Looking so graceful as always, Sindhu. Wrapping yourself in your mom’s sarees. I can imagine how comforting it is. I felt the same putting on my father’s jackets. Felt like a hug.
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Thank you Ritu. It’s an amazing feeling right.
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What a heartfelt tribute to both the Navratri Golu tradition and your mother! Each saree must carry a beautiful story, and it’s wonderful that you’re keeping your mother’s spirit alive in such a meaningful way. Thank you for sharing this!
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Thank you Neha ☺️
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Checked after reading your post. It is Hinamtsuri festival in Japan.
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Beautiful sarees. This trend of wearing a particular colour on each day started 2 years back; it’s become viral! Sorry to hear about your mom’s passing away but you have paid tribute to her in a beautiful way…I’m sure on each of these she would be smiling from above.
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I never knew about Navratri golu. Used to wonder what is celebrated in the South. We celebrate Durga Puja.
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That’s a beautiful tribute to your mother ❤️
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Golu during Navratri is a vibrant time of the year for joy and togetherness. Loved the saree pics.
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This Navaratri is charming 😊
Love those pics. 👍
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What a beautiful way to pay homage to your mom. You look lovely in these gorgeous sarees.
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