Kapaleeswrar temple is the 24th of the 32
Devara sthalams in the Tondai region of South India. Each year, a number of
festivals like Spring Festival and Arupathimoovar festival are celebrated by
devotees. This year yet another festival floats the minds of devotees in
divine bliss. The Navarthiri Festival at the Mayilai shivastalam offers a
renaissance of Kolu, a kolu which is 3 dimensional in display and first of
its kind.
Ashta Dhikku Alankara Kolu as the name suggests is Kolu display which has
eight facets and has 3 dimensional views, unlike the 2 dimensional displays
beside a wall. Aesthetic design and the vedic themes Shaaktham, Saivam,
Ganapathyam and Kaumaaram exemplify novelty. This is a concept and execution
of Mylapore Trio -S. Surendranath, S. Aparna, S. Amarnath of Sri Sumukhi
Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation - who are popularly called as the ‘Cultural
Ambassadors of Mylapore. Smart Creations known for Gold and Silver lacquered
pooja items have set up this kolu as offering.
Apart from posse of huge dolls including Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi,
Saptha Kanni, Rishabavaaganar, Dakshinamurthy, Boothaganas, Datathreyar,
Dashavatharam, Ashta Lakshmi, Vishnu Vishvarupam, etc., there are small
thematic doll sets based on various events from the mythology and history.
There are also special Golden Chariot, Temple Mandapam, Kalasam, etc.,
adding glitter to the beautiful Kolu and will unleash a divine awareness to
create sacred golden temples. The floor is also traditionally decorated with
Urulis and flowers.
“Navarathri is an auspicious occasion of celebrating the womanhood with
all the nine days dedicated to the worship of goddess Sakthi. Temple kolus
like this will provide an opportunity to all those who does not know about
it. It will also help preserve our cultures and traditions and remind the
world the significance of our celebrations,” says Mr. Pankaj Bandari,
Managing Director, Smart Creations.
Witness this glorious Kolu in Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore which is on
till 28th September, 2009.
- Nirmalaa Shrethar