Our ancestors were brilliant at creating traditions that uplift the human spirit. In engaging in traditions that honour the spirit and energy around us, we bring joy to ourselves and the community around us. 

This time each year I am in Bangalore to soak in the spirit of Navratri at the international Art of Living centre in Bangalore. I usually spend little time in my parents home as my focus is usually on the programs and events at the AOL centre. 

This time however I had a full day at home because I took ill last night and  spent the day resting while at the same time marvelling the tradition of “Navratri Kolu” in my parents home. 

My parents have been following this tradition for the last 38 years each year without a break. 
Navratri Kolu is a tradition where families put on display dolls in a step arrangement with an odd number of steps. This lasts for the 9 days of Navratri in which the divine energy that sustains the material world is worshipped. Every morning and evening my father chants the many names of the goddess each name depicting a different quality of existence. Setting up the Kolu gives a creative expression which again uplifts the spirit. My parents are invited to others homes and they in turn invite others to their homes. Through this activity the beauty of creation is honoured and there is recognition of life in its various forms for time immemorial. 

For those who follow this tradition, the dolls themselves are collected over many years. The most important ones are called the Marapachi dolls that depict prosperity and a holistic life 

These pieces were given by my grandmother  to my mother as is the tradition of passing these on to the daughter by the mother. 

While the Marapachi pair is a common feature across all Kolus, the rest of the dolls are left to the imagination and creative expression of every Kolu arrangement. 

Below is a set of dolls in my parents Kolu depicting the 12 Avatars of Vishnu. As explained beautifully in a post that was doing the social media rounds recently, the 12 avatars are a depiction of the science of evolution starting with the Matsyaavataar which is Vishnu incarnated as a life form in water to the more evolved forms of Krisha, Buddha and Kalki. That life has evolved over time was depicted in the ancient Indian texts long before Darwin espoused the theory of evolution. 

This band of musicians is over 60 years old passed on by my grandmom to my mother 

This is a depiction of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, the last an example of a devotee of the highest order 

This image of goddess Kali, who is an expression of divine energy destroying lethargy was picked up by my parents from Kolkatta. The crown has been created using paddy seeds 

Another depiction of goddess Kali

And then there are seeds that are allowed to sprout during this period in a tray of mud. It is to depict the renewal and rebirth that symbolises Navratri. Just as a baby gestates for nine months in a mothers womb, the nine days of Navratri depict a new beginning in the womb of the Mother divine, honouring life force energy in its various forms. 

Following these traditions without a break provides the human spirit a sense of commitment and purpose that lifts the human mind above negative tendencies that are lurking around to grip us and pull us down. 

And now my sister who lives in the US has picked up this tradition to carry it forward to keep the next generation connected to this wonderful tradition. 

Below is one of the pictures of my Sister-in-law’s Kolu in Dubai