
Navratri is one of the most important festival in all parts of India, especially very famous in northern parts of India and west Bengal. It is the Hindu festival dedicated for Goddess Durga.
When is Navratri Celebrated?
- Vasantha Navaratri - During the Tamil month "Chithirai"
- Ashtada Navratri - During the Tamil month "Aadi"
- Saradha Navratri - During the Tamil month "Puratasi"
- Shyamala Navratri - During the Tamil month "Thai"
Significance of each day
- First 3 days of the Navratri, we dedicate to 3 different forms of Goddess Durga
- Second 3 days of Navratri, we dedicate to 3 different forms of Goddess Lakshmi
- Last 3 days of Navratri, we dedicate to 3 different forms of Goddess Saraswathi
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.
3 October, 2024 | Yellow |
4 October, 2024 | Green |
5, October, 2023 | Grey |
6, October, 2023 | Orange |
7, October, 2023 | White |
8, October, 2023 | Red |
9, October, 2023 | Blue |
10, October, 2023 | Pink |
11, October, 2023 | Purple |
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
Neivedhyam Recipes
Sundal Varieties










Rice Varieties








Sweet Varieties












Other Neivedhyam Recipes







;">Green9, October, 2021Grey10, October, 2021Orange11, October, 2021White Blue12, October, 2021Red13, October, 2021Royal Blue14, October, 2021Pink15, October, 2021Purple
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.