Colours, flowers & lamps for festivity

Are you wondering how to deck up your home for Dasara without going overboard? Susheela Srinivas offers comprehensive guidelines for the perfect celebration.

For many people, the time has come to lay the red carpet and invoke the divine positive forces of Goddess Durga, as Navratri is just in the offing. This popular festival, celebrated all over the country for nine days, culminates as Vijayadashami on the tenth day. During Sharad Navratri, an auspicious time with a deep spiritual significance, the northern Indian states worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga, while in the south, Goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Durga are worshipped and accorded three days each during the nine day period.

Let us too ring in the gaiety in our homes; taking a few measures to spruce up the decor elements, bedeck your homes keeping in line with the traditional significance of this festival, and set an ambience of spirituality, austerity and vibrancy.

Preliminaries

It is customary to give the house a thorough cleaning. Choose to repaint the house as well. The colours for this season are predominantly yellow and red. Yellow symbolises positivity and radiance, while red symbolises vigour and will power. Use these colours wherever possible – cushion covers, bed spreads, curtains etc.

* Choose seasonal flowers which too are found to be plenty in reds and yellows – calendula, chrysanthemum and hibiscus. Mix and match them in vases and garlands, or as streamers all around the house for a fresh look.

* Incorporate tiny bells in the torana at the entrance. These work not only to beautify, but also jingle and sway to the breeze – an irresistible invite!

* This is also a time for display of idols and dolls in a thematic way, called the bombe golu, symbolising the holding of an audience in the divine abode.

* Keeping a golu calls for prior planning as it involves making a platform of steps, usually with wooden planks which are covered in fabric. The dolls are then displayed in themes with the idols of the deities on the topmost rack.

A minimalistic approach

If simplicity is your signature without compromising on the festive spirit, then try these:

* Make a divine golu using just photographs of Gods you have around the house, or available from calendars. Just hang them on a wall according to the shapes and sizes of frames. Finish this with hanging lamps, flowers and the puja thali.

* Else, hang a big picture of the Goddess on the wall or place an idol on a small table. Now just place the scriptures, symbols of swastika and lamp stands to complete the look.

* Try converting an open cupboard or shelf with multiple racks into the golu steps, like a crockery shelf or living room cabinet. Decorate with serial lights or make use of the built-in lamps. Layer with silk or a new piece of cloth and then place the idols in the required scenery.

All things traditional

Mythology tells us that Goddess Durga fought for nine consecutive nights before finally killing the demon Mahishasura.

Hence, the golu comprises nine steps, depicting the nine days. For a traditional element:

* Place planks and create the platforms; cover with cloth or a silk sari and then place the dolls.

* Idols of gods and goddesses are placed on these planks with decorations all round. Use sequence lights, oil lamps and diyas to replicate the divine
ambience of a temple.

* While placing the golu, make sure each step is themed. You can choose themes from the Puranas or scenes from everyday life. Place the image, idol or a symbolic idol of goddess in the topmost and central part of the steps. Keep changing the theme each day.

* The puja thali is another item which is decorated elaborately. For a silver one, decorate with flowers in red and yellow for an ethnic look. Else, brass, wooden or terracotta plates can be used and decorated with kundan, beads, lace, paints and other embellishments. All the puja items are now handy on this plate as you go about with the rituals.

* Make a green bed around the steps using sprouted seeds on planters foam. Even a layer of wet cotton will do. This needs to be planned ahead as the sprouting has to be at least an inch in height.

A feel of grandeur

* Lay out a divine walkway with a colourful rangoli, a few feet long and up to the designated place of the deity. Line the entire length with garlands of red and yellow flowers, along the rangoli and also the steps and corridors. Place lamp stands intermittently to finish the look.

* Use lamps, lights, symbols of ‘om’ and swastika around the house to symbolise power and divine knowledge.

* Place fragrant flowers, infusers and incense to set the right kind of ambience as you proceed with the austerities.

* For additional dressing of the house and puja room, bring out your bright silks with thick, broad borders. Hang them in a cascading curtain behind the golu and make it the focal point.

* Mirror work saris, dupattas and skirts can be pleated and tied together. Hang them around the house under focused lighting. The little mirrors will reflect the light to give a magical glow all around. Now each room has a special touch for everyone to admire.

* Sheer materials like georgettes, chiffons can be hung to the ceiling. With a central chandelier throwing light on them, the effect can be one of magnificence.

* Water is a positive element to have around the house. Float a few lotuses, and other light flowers in a brass display vessel. Placed anywhere in the house, it can transform and add a touch of elegance to the decor.

* Dress the golu dolls in attires and according to the selected theme.

* Enhance the look of cut outs and stands by adding mirrors, beads and sea shells. Make sure they catch the light and reflect a kaleidoscope of colours.

With the holiday season around, you can get creative with paper work too. A few folds and cuts can transform colour papers into attractive decor elements which can last longer than the festive period. So, let’s start right away and make this Dasara a colourful one!