The image shows a bomma golu(kolu) that has been done beautifully by the ladies of our village in the Ganapati temple. Various dolls have been arranged, and ladies and children are given a tamboolam that consists of betel leaves and kumkum. Prasad is given to all after the evening pooja to all devotees present in the temple premises. This goes for the period of Navarathri.
The dolls that are usually kept are the wedding set, the Dashavatar set, the musician set, and various forms of goddesses. Other dolls are also arranged beautifully, and people come to admire them. Sometimes, even replicas of fruits and vegetables are kept on the bottom row. People are not allowed to touch the dolls or play with them, as it is part of the worship process, and in my experience, when we practiced this tradition when young, naughty children from our neighborhood used to try and knock the dolls off. So, we used to distract them by giving them smaller versions and sweets too. Sigh, sometimes, even the elders were also very unruly.
Today evening, books and musical instruments will be placed before the gods for worship. The books will be placed on a mat or table, and then covered with a cloth, and flowers will be used to worship. Sweets must also be offered as Nivedya. Those who find it inconvenient to worship at home will take their books to the temple to be worshipped.
On the Vijayadashami day - Vidya Arambham day, toddlers will be initiated into the world of reading and writing by knowledgeable persons. People usually go to Ma Saraswati temple as she is the Goddess of knowledge.
Children also prostrate before Gurus on that day to start learning music, dance, and various musical instruments. It is a very delightful time to visit India during this festival, as the whole nation grandly celebrates Navaratri, and a tourist can experience different cultures in various states of the country. Needless to say, free food is given daily to all those who visit the temples.
Wishing you all a happy Pooja.
Jai Sai Ram
image - own
