Navarathri 2015

Every year Navarathri is a special time. The beautiful arrangement of dolls called as BommaKolu in South India is a divine pleasure. And the lip-smacking delicacies prepared during those nine days are a real treat for the taste buds.

As a child, I have enjoyed visiting our neighbors and getting engrossed in the way they have decorated. Wearing pattu paavadai (silk skirts) and dressing in traditional way is another brownie. As I grew up, due to academic and later professional commitments, I could not visit others’ houses.

Before!

When I visited Thirupathi last month, the only thing I bought was a pair of Marapaachi – it is a specialty there. It is the traditional wooden doll which would be dressed and kept as a part of the bommakolu. They would be transferred from one generation to another as a symbol of prosperity and happiness.

After!

With one week’s dedicated effort, my mother and I dressed up the Marapaachi. My mother, a passionate seamstress, stitched the clothes for them. We also made jewelries and at the end, when we saw the Marapaachi dressed up, we were elated -  A creative satisfaction that knew no bounds.

Well, my dear readers,

Wishing you all a happy Navarathri/Dussehra 2015.

May the almighty shower the choicest blessing on you!