MAIN KOLU
Main Kolu
The Central Theme
Traditionally , Navratri Kolu consists of arranging dolls in a stairs format. The number of stairs are as per the interest of the householder and are in odd numbers (3, 5, 7 & 9). The Kolu symbolizes that Divinity will be a presence in the house during Navarathri.
Her Army
Story of Goddess Durga & the vistory over Mahishasura
Goddess Durga is believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation and destruction of the world. She is the divine mother who protects mankind from all evils and miseries and also destroys selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger and ego. Thus Goddess Durga represents a united front of all Divine forces against the negative forces of wickedness and evil.
Mahishasura was a demon king with the head of a buffalo. He was a staunch worshipper of Lord Brahma. After years of penance by Mahishasura, Brahma was finally pleased and offered him a wish. Mad with power, Mahishasura demanded immortality. His wish was that he should not be killed by a “man or animal” on the face of Earth.
Mahishasura believed that there is none in the world who could cause him any harm and on illusion that he has immortality, attacked Trilok (the three worlds of earth, heaven and hell) with his army.
The gods decided to wage a war on Mahishasura but due to Lord Brahma’s boon nobody was able to defeat him. The gods thus approached Lord Vishnu , Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma for help. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined all their powers together to give birth to Durga.
Goddess Durga then fought Mahishasura over a period of nine days during which he kept changing his shape to become different animals and misled her. Finally when he transformed into a buffalo, Goddess Durga stabbed him with her trident and thus Mahishasura was defeated and killed.
Significance of Stair display
It is a Hindu belief that Goddess Durga descended to Earth on this day in response to prayers from devotees and planned the war against Mahishasura . The Mother Goddess then held a durbar (court) of all the Gods, Demigods, Human beings , animals and all living beings every evening while she fought with the asura for 9 days. and killed the demon on the 10th day.
This Golu display for 9 nights represents her durbar. Some families extend the kolu with a few other themes along with the Main steps.
How are the dolls displayed
The Nine steps for Navarathri Kolu are said to represent the evolution of beings from the ‘lower’ animal lives to divine. Dolls and toys depicting any theme may be placed on the side of the golu stand or even on one of the steps.
The Kolu steps are set in a corner of the house facing East or North direction on the new moon day in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which typically falls in the months of September and October. This Navaratri is also known as Sharad Navaratri and is celebrated in the autumn season. The Kolu is arranged on the new moon evening after 6pm.
After arranging the dolls, a rangoli is drawn in front of the Kolu using rice flour, lamps/diyas are lit in front of the Kolu every morning and evenings. One of the most important ritual in Kolu is exchanging thamboolam. Young girls, Ladies are invited to see the golu and honor them by giving thamboolam and prasadam. Neighbors , Friends , extended family members are all invited to the Kolu making it a memorable evening for all present . People also sing songs , dance and entertain each other during these events.
On each day of Navratri, protein rich snacks (sundal) are made and shared with all the visitors . The scientific reason behind offering sundal is that during the months of September-October the agriculture activity will be less and people would be in need of health food options . Through Kolu people shared protein rich foods to rejuvenate.
Stair 1
The first and topmost step is for the Mother Goddess . Idols of Ganesha, Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswathi are placed of the top step.This is done to represent that this Kolu is lead by Goddess Durga. A kalasam is also placed in center. A kalasam is a silver, copper or clay narrow necked vessel filled with rice or other materials (as advised by the scriptures) and a coconut is placed on top to close the vessel. Alternately, kalasam can be placed in the bottom of golu.
Stair 2
The second step from the top is used to display the other gods and goddesses . Idols of Lord Vishnu (the Protector) , Lord Lakshmi (The goddess of wealth and consort of Lord Vishnu) , Lord Shiva (The destroyer), Lord Parvati ( also known as Sakthi , the goddess of strength and consort of Lord Shiva) are displayed here. Also displayed are various forms of these gods that appeared on various scriptures
Stair 3
The third step is also used to display the various forms of the primary gods and goddess namely the Trimurthis (Three main gods Brahma (Creator) , Vishnu (Protestor) & Shiva (Destroyer) , Their consorts and their forms. Also displayed in the step are the Marapaacchi bommai, though some customs place it on the topmost shelf with the kalasam. These are a pair of dolls, a male and a female figure, carved out of a medicinal wood. In olden times these two dolls are said to represent the King and the Queen, and traditionally a pair (usually a heirloom) is given to a bride at her wedding and are handed down to the next generation.
Stair 4
The fourth step is used to display the Dasavataram, depicting the 10 avatars of Vishnu – Matsya (Fish), Kurma (Tortoise), Varaha (Boar), Narasimha (Half lion half man), Vamana (with an umbrella), Parasurama (with axe), Balrama (with plough), Rama, Sri Krishna and Kalki, Scientifically these avatar represents the evolution life cycle with Life starting with Fish , moving to Amphibian to Mammals to evolving human(half animal and half man) to man of shorter stature to Human beings living in Jungle . Then comes man acquiring agriculture skills, Then Human beings with well defined , honest governing skills , Then comes politics and prioritization in governance eventually leading war and end of life only to start back again from sea life.
Stair 5
The fifth step like the above step is used to represent the various avatars taken by the Gods and goddesses to save lives. Step 5 is used to display idols of Ashtalakshmi , The eight forms of Mahalakshmi- Adhi lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhairya lakshmi, Gaja lakshmi, Santhana lakshmi, Vijaya lakshmi, Vidhya lakhmi and Dhana lakshmi. These forms of Lakshmi represents the various qualities and wealth that a human being should posses to succeed in like namely Agricultural wealth, Courage, Progeny , Victory in all efforts , Education etc.
Stair 6
The sixth step is used to display idols of six important forms of Lord Muruga ( also known as Karthikeya) . He is the younger son of Lord Shiva, the warrior prince.He is known as Devasenapathi ( Warrior general of the Devas ) . The six forms depicted on the step represents the important phases in Lord Muruga’s story
Stair 7
The seventh and eighth step is used to display the saints and blessed humans who were showered with the grace of the gods. These saints devoted their entire life to the god and some did have mystical powers to. Depicted in the sevent step are the 12 Alwars .Alwar means ‘One who is immersed’ , they are tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused bhakti (devotion) to the Hindu god Vishnu in their songs of longing, ecstasy and service
Stair 8
Depicted in the eighth step are other saints like Shirdi Saibaba, Bhaktha Mirabai, Patanjali (the founder of Yoga) . These are saints and gurus showed the path of devotion to god and guided the right way to attain salvation
Stair 9
The ninth and last step is used to display the normal human beings , animals, birds , insects and other life forms . This depicts the hierarchical position of the life forms in this universe.
