Navratri is one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrated with great devotion across India. While it is especially famous in North India and West Bengal, where Goddess Durga is worshipped with grandeur, South India has its own unique and beautiful way of celebrating – through the tradition of Golu (doll display).
At its heart, Navratri is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the worship of divine feminine energy (Shakti).
When is Navratri Celebrated?
There are four Navratris observed in a year:
- Vasantha Navaratri – During the Tamil month of Chithirai (March–April)
- Ashtada Navratri – During the Tamil month of Aadi (July–August)
- Sharada Navratri – During the Tamil month of Puratasi (September–October)
- Shyamala Navratri – During the Tamil month of Thai (January–February)
Among these, Sharada Navratri (Puratasi) is considered the most auspicious and widely celebrated.
It begins on the Prathamai (first day after the New Moon) of Puratasi month, following the sacred Mahalaya Amavasya. From this day until the ninth day (Navami), devotees celebrate and worship different forms of Goddess Durga every evening.
Significance of each day
The word Navratri means “Nine Nights”. Over these nine nights and ten days, we worship the nine forms of Goddess Shakti.
- First 3 days – Dedicated to Goddess Durga, who destroys evil and grants strength.
- Next 3 days – Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who blesses us with wealth and prosperity.
- Last 3 days – Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, who bestows wisdom, learning, and artistic skills.
The 9th day (Navami) is celebrated as Saraswati Puja / Ayudha Puja. On this day, books, tools, musical instruments, and even cash boxes are placed at the feet of Goddess Saraswati to seek her blessings. They are taken back only on the following day.
The 10th day (Vijayadasami / Dussehra) symbolizes victory and new beginnings. It is considered the most auspicious day to start learning anything new. In South India, children traditionally begin their education (Vidyarambham / Aksharabhyasam) on this day.
Prasad, Decoration, Fruits & Flowers
| Day | Neivedhyam Dishes | Decoration | Flowers | Fruits and Leaves |
| 1 | Venn Pongal and Karamani Sundal | Maheswari | Jasmine and Vilvam | Banana and Vilvam |
| 2 | Mango, Puliyodharai and Puttu | Kaumari | Thulasi and Mullai | Mango leaves and Thulasi |
| 3 | Sakarai Pongal, Jack fruit, Yellu Podi | Varahi | Hibiscus,Maru, Sampangi | Jack fruit, Maru |
| 4 | Curd Rice and Pattani sundal | Mahalakshmi | Jathimalli | Guava |
| 5 | Pongal, Payasam and Mochai payiru sundal | Vaishnavi | Shenbaga poo | Pomegranate |
| 6 | Coconut Rice, Pomegranate, Sweet lime, Channa dal sundal | Indrani | Kunguma poo | Narathai, Sandhanam |
| 7 | Lemon rice, Sweet Sundal | Saraswathi | Thazhambu, Thumbai | Dates |
| 8 | Paal sadham, appam | Narasimhi | Marudhani, sampangi | Grapes |
| 9 | Vella sadham, Chick peas sundal | Chamundeswari | Marikozhundhu, Lotus | Naval pazham |
| 10 | Sakarai Pongal, Thayir sadham, Puliyodharai | Maha Durgai | Sevvarali, Roja | Sevvazhai |
Mainly in Gujarat and Maharashtra, during Navratri, there is a tradition of wearing different color dresses during these 9 days. Given below are the colors for each day.
| 22 September, 2025 | White |
| 23 September, 2025 | Red |
| 24 September, 2025 | Royal Blue |
| 25 September, 2025 | Yellow |
| 26 September, 2025 | White |
| 27 September, 2025 | Orange |
| 28 September, 2025 | Peacock Green |
| 29 September, 2025 | Pink |
| 30 September, 2025 | Purple |
South Indian Style Navratri – The Beauty of Golu
One of the most unique aspects of Navratri in South India is the Golu – a grand display of dolls arranged in steps (usually 3, 5, 7, or 9).
These displays feature:
- Top steps – Idols of Gods and Goddesses
- Middle steps – Dolls depicting saints, kings, or everyday village life scenes
- Lower steps – Figures of animals, birds, fruits, and vegetables
The arrangement of dolls is symbolic – it represents the spiritual evolution from the lowest forms of life to the divine.
Golu dolls are often passed down through generations, making them treasured family heirlooms. Similar traditions are followed in other states too – Bommala Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Gombe Habba in Karnataka.
During these nine days, families perform puja, sing devotional songs, and invite relatives and friends to view their Golu. Guests, especially children, often sing classical songs in front of the display, adding to the festive charm.
Traditions & Celebrations
- Haldi-Kumkum – Women invite each other, exchange gifts, and share festive delicacies.
- Bhajans & Singing – Singing devotional songs in front of the Golu is an integral part of the celebration.
- Feasting & Sharing – Each day, Sundal (a protein-rich dish made from legumes) is prepared and shared with guests.
Three Beautiful Lessons from Golu
- Celebrating Art – Families come together to design and decorate their Golu, often experimenting with creative themes each year.
- Celebrating Womanhood – Navratri is dedicated to the three Goddesses – Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati – symbolizing strength, prosperity, and wisdom.
- Engaging Children – Kids actively participate in arranging dolls, learning stories from epics, and singing, making the festival both fun and educational.
Sundal & Navaratri
Navratri and Sundal go hand in hand. The moment we think of Navratri, Sundal naturally comes to mind – and vice versa.
Sundal, made from cooked legumes or pulses, is an essential prasadam offered during Navratri. It is prepared fresh every day and distributed to family, friends, and guests who come to see the Golu.
Traditional Sundal Varieties
Some of the popular pulses used for Sundal are:
- Chickpeas (Chana)
- Chana dal
- Peanuts
- Moong dal
- Green gram dal
- Karamani (Cowpeas)
- Mochai (Field beans)
- Dry green peas (Pattani)
- Sweet corn
- Navratna sundal (a mix of nine legumes)
Apart from the savory versions, sweet Sundal can also be made using cowpeas, moong dal, or a mix of dals with jaggery and coconut.
Neivedhyam and Sharing
During Navratri, we usually prepare Sundal along with other delicacies like sweet puttu, different varieties of rice, or payasam for neivedhyam. The offering is first placed before the Goddess, and then lovingly shared with our guests as prasadam along with thamboolam.
This tradition not only fills the home with warmth and togetherness but also brings blessings from the three Goddesses – Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati – and the elders in our family.
Neivedhyam Recipes
Sundal Varieties
Rice Varieties
Sweet Varieties
Other Neivedhyam Recipes
South Indian Style Navratri with Golu
We South Indians have a unique way of celebrating Navratri festival. Most of us have a tradition of keeping Golu (Display of dolls). Golu is display of dolls in a stair/steps arrangement. Usually the steps start from 3 and it can extend to 9. Golu features clay dolls of Gods' and Goddess', statuettes, figurine, and themed dioramas.
Is there any Significance or order in keeping dolls?
Yes, Certainly. Each step in the Golu has a greater spiritual significance. They are a metaphor for 'ascending towards enlightenment'. The top 2-3 step features statuettes of deities and gods, while the lowest steps are covered with figures of animal and fruit. The middle layers usually depict scenes from daily life, like shopping, dancing, and just a having a good time. Keeping Golu is considered as a tradition passed on from earlier generations in the family. Some clay dolls and hand grafted bead dolls are passed on from one generation to other and its considered as so precious treasure. This tradition is also found in other parts of South India such as Andhra Pradesh where it called Bommala Koluvu, and Karnataka where it is called Gombe Habba or Gombe totti.
- Celebrating Art : - We as a family sit together and plan on how to display the golu in an artistic way. Many people use different themes each year.
- Celebrating Womenhood : - This festival is mainly for all 3 Goddess (Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi) and women all over the world celebrate with great pomp
- Engaging Kids : - This is one big festival where we involve kids and make them understand and learn different themes/ stories of life.
Sundal & Navaratri
