As the nine-day vegetarian diet commences, Navara-tree (Navaratri) remains a sacred tradition for Indians alike. 

Golu is the South Indian way of celebrating Navaratri, using dolls to convey the story of Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is the Goddess of Protection and War, who defeated the evil demon, Mahishasura. 

Navaratri can be understood by breaking up the words, Nava and Ratri– namely, in Sanskrit. Nava, meaning the number nine, and Ratri, roughly translating to, ‘nights’. Each of the nine days is dedicated to a particular form of Goddess Durga and her efforts to defeat Mahishsura, the demon who successfully invaded and took control over the Kingdom of Gods. 

After the Gods cried out for Durga’s help, she took on different forms to defeat the evil demon. In South India, it is believed that Durga only battled three days, then transformed into Goddess Lakshmi, who battled another three days, and finally, transformed into Goddess Saraswathi, who battled the final three days.

However, this is very different from the North Indian belief in which Durga, herself, took on nine forms: Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalrati, Maa Maha Gauri, Maa Skandmata, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Shailputri, Maa Kushmanda, and Maa Siddhidatri. This is why North India hosts the Durga Festiva over the course of nine consecutive days, dedicated to one form per day.

South India usually uses a staircase, the Golu, which depicts each “generation” of the gods, and the stories behind them, to emphasize the significance of Durga’s victory. South India, however, celebrates all of the gods during this sacred week, rather than just Durga. Meaning, the stories behind each Golu differs from household to household. 

For both South and North Indians alike, meat should not be consumed during the week of Navaratri. Meat is said to have strayed from the purities of these Hindu traditions, since animals are considered gods themselves. 

Golu, for South Indians, began this year on Sunday, October 15, 2023, and usually takes place near the spooky season. This holiday is long-followed by South Indians, from the intricacies of building, to the expressive stories told through each household’s perspective.