Feel Your Feelings

Started arranging golu from 2011 october

Dasara 2011

Just a day before dasara was starting decided to arrange golus..well there were no dolls at all.A thought came to my mind while chatting with Deepa my friend and collegue in AMD,she was chatting with me on how to arrange golus at her home,then a flash of thought came to me and I decided to keep golu at my home for the fkirst time after a year of marriage.

After finishing my office I called my husband (Arjun) and told about my idea and he was so excited ,as he always likes these traditional things and I could sense a surprise emotions from his voice as he did not expect that I would tell him about keeping golus :-)..he thought that my idea and my personality did not match so he never thought that I would ever do such things.Arjun's ofoce is too far he has to travel about 140 kms up and down.He reached home at 8 and as always he never shows up his tiredness ,and alsways energetic,he got ready immediately and we wne tto ulsoor to bring the golus.PAssing through all the traffic reached ulsoor aroung 8.45 or so,after enquiring from people we finally got the Golu fellow.So many golus,I was confused what to buy and what not to buy.After a deep glance of all the golus we picked "DASAAVATARAM SET, MARRIAGE SET,RANGANATHAR,AANDAAL,GARUDA,HANUMAN,ASHTA LAKSHMI SET".Arjun was to impressed with ranganathar and Aandal (it was quite big but beautiful). After selecting the dolls was the billing time,I never expected the rates would reach 5K,my heart skipped a beat as this was the first time golu shopping and never expected this was such an coslty idea,but as usual Arjun never thinks of Money when he likes something,he somehow convinced me and finally drove back with all the dolls to home.

All the while when we brought the golu we never thoght of how to arrange the dolls.Now our mind started to think on arranging.We came back to home by 11.Thankfully some construction work was going on near the home,so we were able to use some bricks form there for making the steps.For next 1 hour I was busy in arranging books and Arjun and Ajeya (my brother in law) busy in getting the bricks.All three of us put our mind on making stepa with bricks dabbas from kitchen,and books.And finally made 3 or 4 steps and arranges the golus.

1st step was pattada gombe and kalasha.And the remaining steps were the golus we brought.And the setup was complete @ 2in the night.And then me and Arjun realized that we skipped dinner also :-), we 2 were very excited .Well one more thing I think i was concieived by that time but did not know because it was still not too long time to check.

And thus for next 10 days pooja and aarati was going.So every1 in home was excited that after a long time golus were kept and as there were no girls in Arjun's home they alomost had forgotten these type of enjoyments and I think my inlaws were happy with this change.So ultimately everyone was happy and everything was smooth.

Dasara 2012

One year passed on and again its a dasara season.This time there is a little doll in our home,our sweet little princess just 5 months old .After my long break from work now it was the time to get back to work,so I was making myself ready to go back from my home in mysore back to bangalore.So me my mom Akshara was ready and Arjun came with all excitement and enjoyment to take his doll to his home.My mom just gave Arjun an idea to look at the dolls exhibitiion (bombe mane ) then we all decided to go there.And the rates were really high there.So this time I was a bit experienced in Golu arrangement and also through reading on the sites I was thinking of some theme this time.So thought of coming up with krishna theme.startting ftom his birth till the raas leela (basically baal leela). And as per my idea cal it as a tailor made for my idea ,I got most of the dolls for my theme.I gathered dolls like "vasudev and devaki in jail, Vasudev taking krishna in a basket and passing thru river, yashodha and krishna with cow,kallinga mardhana,govardhana giri,jala krida,raas leela" and thus formed the theme .After this we decided that this not to go for more dolls.I was inspired by the way the dolls are arranged in GAurda MAll in bangalore,I searche a lot for a big GARUDA to keep on the first step.Searched a lot in mysore too ,to get a brass GARUDA.And thru many surfing Arjun somehow was able to contact a persin whoose shop is in garuda mall and we got a nice brass GAruda.And then as usual Arjun and I were tempted to go to ulsoor and check.There we saw a surya ratha which was something different so we decided to buy that also.This year we decided not to spend too much on the dolls but could not control and ended up spending around 9k.So last year and this year investment on dolls is 14k.Wow thats a good amount of money .We also had the plans of buying a golu stand to arrange the golus,but as we again had spent lots on buying golu we skipped to next year.

Dasara was suppose to start and we were thinking again on how to arrange.And agin with 1 table dabbas,stools,books we came up with 5 steps and a small 3 tier steps for the Krishna theme.We arranged and lights were put up around the steps.And my little one was all unawre of all these things:-).She had her good time wearing every day new dress for dusehra:-) and this time it was their own apna baccha in my in laws home,the joy was double.WE all were very happy again and everything happily went and was waiting for the next year again

Dasara 2013

October came and again the season of dolls started.This year as planned last year only gave the order to make the Golu stand.Long time back while travelling fom mysore with my parents as my dad told that there are some left out teak wood of our old house a thought arose in my mind to use that and make a golu stand.I told the same and asusual my dad was giving all non postive replies but I knew my mom will move ahead with it so she called up the carpenter and finally gave the order.This year again thought as we have already invested much on stand lets not buy too many dolls.And after 2 years of experience in keeping the dolls this year I thought making the navarasa theme (9 emotions).After too much searching I thought I will utilize existing dolls and buy only minmial dolls.Parallely the stand was ready and we had to bring it from mysore.We saw the stand it was really awesome...and some how we fit that in the car .

I was still thnikng on the theme and what dolls to keep.From somewhere we got the number of a lady who stayed near marathalli and we both with Akshara went and saw the dolls.We saw Ravan darbar and decided that we will buy for our theme (HAsya).Later we went to ulsoor and saw some dolls and Arjun not even thinking of theme finalised Ardha naarishwara,Aalwaars,gajendra moksha,Radha Krishna,Kailsas parvata lifted by Raaavan.And billl was again a lot.Came aronu 4K.After buying all this I still was not having dolls for my theme.

I got Ravana lifting kailasa for VEERA rasa,Rasha KRishna for Sringara rasa,Gajendra Moksha for Karuna,and with existing doll I thought of using Vasudev and devaki for bhayanaka rasa.But still other rasas dolls are not finalised.So already budget overshoot and still not done with the theme.We ordered mahisasura mardhini for Rowdra.After all these we also went to malleshwaram and bought dolls.Craze for dolls in us is too much :-) specially arjun.First time we had bought dasavataram,and I was knowing that somewhere Arjun is not @ all convince with the size of Dasavataram dolls and this year finally he got his required size and he couldn/y resist buying that.In malleswaram we bought "DASAVATARM,VYAS DICTATING MAHABHARAT TO GANESHA,BHARATA TAKING RAMA"S PADUKA".

Also we bought some dols in BOMBE MANE in mysore.so where ever we go to see dolls we somehoe buy and come.This Year also we spent 8500k just for dolls (4K+2500+1600+550).FInally Done with the collection of navarasa dolls.Story do not end here after all these dolls Arjun could mot resist a radha krishna buying form snapdeal.Oh man its too much this time !!!!!

SRINGARA RASA ---RADHA KRISHNA

HASYA -- Lawyer Ganesha

BHIBHATSYA - BHARATA RAMA SET

KARUNA--GAJENDRA MOKSHA

ADBHUTA -- SEETA DEER SET

BHAYA-- VASYDEV AND DEVAKI SET

VEERA --RAVANA KAILASA PARVATA SET

ROWDRA--MAHISASURA MARDINI

SHANTA --BUDDHA

This time we had better planning for the background of he steps also.It took around 2 hours to build up the stand.7 hours to arrange dolls.And Finally Done.MY dolly is so understanding she did not trouble a bit also and did not touch the dolls.She says MAAMI DONT TOUCH.I love it.

this dussehra hoping all my worries will end and vijaya will happaen for us.

Dasara 2014

One year passed and again our madness of collection for Dolls increases . This year it so happened that my mom and Dad had planned their trip to Srirangam and other parts of Tamilnadu, and we thought to get some dolls from there , and so asked mom and dad to look out for the same . They searched and got a few sets like "Panchayat, School, Raja Durbaar,Gini Shastra(Tarot reading by parrot),Laxmi Narasimha, Laxmi Narayana, Panduranga Laxmi . The cost of dols came out to 3200 :-) Comparitively cheaper .

Well we had enough collection this year also, but still as the dasara days comes me and Arjun tempted to go and have look of the dolls where ever kept for sale. This time Akshara also joined. So we started our hunt from Malleshwaram as last year we found it was reasonabale out there . But to our surprise all the dolls were very costly, we just did a window shopping and came . Then we also visited Ulsoor and Thippasandra, everywhere this year prices was exoribant . Last year we heard from someone that dolls wil be cheaper in Dharmapuri.

We had to think of the theme. we thought all kalyana theme, but looking at the prices we thought of Mythological stories theme and this we could make from the existing dolls. Ajun was more interested on Kalyana theme.

We decided to go to Dharmapuri. TO save the time we went friday and took a halt in our Aanekal home . Me Arjun Akshara and Arjun's dad went.Next day morning we were all set to go, suddenly Arjun's Dad's firend also joined .We went asking everyone, someone told that even in Krishnagiri also dolls are available. We decided to go to Dharmapuri first and on the way back we would go to Krishnagiri .We reached Dharmapuri. We went on enquiring people about where do we get the dolls. Finally we got a place . We went and we were dissappointed as there was no Kalyana set . also that lady was no able to set the dolls properly. Some old person told about another palce . We moved forward, on the way we visited Kalabhairaveshwara temple. We got into the pce there we had more options. First we saw rama Pattabhishekam, some how we went to see other places.At one place we took Ganesha musical set ,Rama sita and Laxman going to Exile, and sangeet sammemlan for 1100 Rs :-)

Total as of now 3200+1100 = 4300 :-)

Arjun wanted to buy Rama Pattabhishekam ,but I pushed him not to buy because we can get other dolls in Krishnagiri.

Came to Krishnagiri and this time it was easier to locate the place.we were looking for Kalyana sets only. Finally we got Srinivasa, Sita and Meenakashi kalyaana .So we finalised these sets and also Ravan Durbaar. The rate coated by him was 3900 and we bargained to 2900.

Now the total cost was 4300+2900 = 7200

so now we were still thinking of mythological story theme. suddenly after looking at the dolls we have, i thought of making Rama's life events till he met Ravana( want to add shabari story, may be next time I will search)

so finally the theme was decided, and also this time decided to keep theme based golus in every step at the centre.

Theme Set up

Rama’s life till he met Ravana

1)Rama sita Kalyana

2)Rama Laxman In boat

3)Bharta Paduka

4)sita haran (1 hut sita , and a deer and a rishi)

5)Ravan durbar (Story of Hanuman)

All set for theme. 3 days before we assembled the steps that took 3 hours. Next day we decorated the steps. Then a day before Navratri, we had to arrenge all the dolls. We started at 10 PM and we finishe at 5.30 AM next day morning 6 1/2 hrs . But next time we will remeber to put lights and then keep dolls.. We were out of space for some dolls like Panchayat, School, Raj burbar, we adjusted them in the show case :-) and remaing somehow took the boxes and made steps.Still park was remaining :-(...

We had the plan of making garden and zoo beneath the step, good idea though, could not make it this time. Probably next year.The dolls arrangement is

Few intial pics and videos

https://plus.google.com/photos#photos?pid=6062860989671966562&oid=105075119736039865871

photos to be conitnued .......

Dasara 2015

2015 dasara came. This year asusual excitement of keeonh dolls and searching for the theme started. Wel we planned for Krishnagiri on 2nd Oct as long weekkend was there, but Arjun had to go to Vaizal so could not make it. We had almost dropped the plan to visit Krishnagiri, but Arjun came on saturday and he decided that we will go on Sunday. we started early and took the break in Aanekal. This time my mother in law also joined , as she was keen to know how do we search the dolls :-) .

We had finalised on the theme of Devatas on thier Vahanam.But was not sure on what all the gods we would get.We reached Krishnagiri and started searching for the theme. I was very sure that we will not get Shiva on Nandi as it is not so common to get.In one of the shop, we luckily found the shiva on Nandi .There only we got Parvati on lion, Saraswati and Laxmi. we bought these for 1200 Rs. We came in search of Kartiketa on peacock and vishnu on Garuda. In one of the shop we saw this, also GAruda on vishnu in the Garudostsava. So I thought we can use this for Vahana and Garudostava both.We bought this for 2800.This year it was very less ,4k .

This year Akshara was more understanding and she could tell all the gods with their vahana's properly.The theme this was

Shiva on Nandi, Parvati pn lion, Durga on tiger,Kartikeya on Peacock, Surya on seven horses, vishnu on Garuda (2 in one ,with Garudostava)

We started to fix the stand on Friday , saturday we arrranged the steps with lights, and dolls,Sunday finished all.We made the Garden insude the stand.

Dolls Arrangement this year

Backgorund shanku Chakra Nammam

Step 1:

Dasavataram and GAruda with focus light

Step 2: Anantapadmanabha and Aalwars

Theme starts

Step 3: Kailasa pArvat,Gauri,SHIVA ON NANDI,Ganesha musical set,Ardhanaarishwar

Step 4: Mahisasura mardini,PARVATI ON LION,DURGA ON TIGER, Ashta lakshmi,Lakshmi and saraswati,Lawyer Ganesha

Step 5: Pattada Gombe, KARTIKEYA ON PEACOCK, Pattada GOmbe

Step 6: Lakshmi Narasimha,Panduranga Vitthala, SURYA RATHA,lakshmi narayan,Radha krishna (POP)

step 7: VISHNU ON GARUDA with Garudostava

SIDE:

WE got a big Plank

1 Step: all kalyana theme

2 Step: Krishna theme, Radha Krishna of Navarasa, Rama sita laxman, hanuma (Pingaani)

USed the shelves

Raja Durbar (one shelf)

School set (one shelf)

Small dasavatarm, Gajendra Moksha, Vedvyas Ganapati (one shelf)

Panchayat, GIni Shaastra (one shelf)

Wooden Corner stand

Rama theme of the previous year

So finally Done with the arrangment. This year Rani wanted to distribute gifts to kids, so they bought some gifts to the kids. all the kids came and took the gifts.FInally after 10 days , again pack the dolls that took 1 day (mng 8 to 4PM)

waiting for next year

Proposed themes for next year

1)Repeat all the themes which we kept till now

Krishna theme,Navarasa theme,Rama Theme (till Hanuman meets Ravan), GOds on their Vahana

2)Cartoon theme

3)Famous Brothers, sisters

Ganesha-Kartikeya

Rama Laxman Bharat

GAruda , Aruna (charitee of Surya)

Etc

Some more ideas next year, Break till next year. Four years Done

Dasara 2016

Again the planning for the theme started. All the ideas came to my mind were

1)AAlwars theme,

2)Veda theme

3)10 to 1 theme

4)Hindu mythology parvata lifting theme

5)Jananam theme

This time there was confusion as to where to get the dolls from, as because of the kaveri issue, we could not go to Krishnagiri. Arjun was still insisting to go there and get the dolls, but I did not want to take risk.

Mumma and daddy had plans to got to Srirangam, there also we could not get the dolls for my theme.

During Akshara's PTM, we met one of her frien's parents they told, we get good collection in Jayanagar also,so we went there, but unfortunately I could not get anything there.

FInally we went to Malleshwaram and checked , there I got the dolls for JANANAM theme. This year alsowe spent around 6k for the dolls.

so all set .

1 week before we set up the golu stand.The golu arrangement started from 10 PM and ended at 6 in the morning. Thankfully it was saturday :-)

This year even dad was interested in GOlus, so even in myssore, dolls were kept. Good overall.Waiting for next year.

Dasara 2017

Asusual it was great Excitement for dasara theme.Also as we had bought the plot , little running out of money.

We decided to go to Krishnagiri, Akshara stayed back at home. Me and Arjun went .And the theme we had almost decided was Devotees theme.

I had in mind to buy mysore Dasara also. but m0ney constraints so dropped it. I wanted something to match with Mysore Palace we got.

Finally , we got

1)Krishna Bakasur

2)Putna Vadh

3)Bhakta Markandeya

4)Meera bai

5)Bhakta Prahallad

6)Hanuman

7)Marriage set (for daddy)

Total cose was 3k thats it.

This time it was pretty fast.We also thought this time to Paint the stand. It was a long pending thing.

I tried to make little Ambari for the Mysore palace.we took days to finish the doll keeping .

It was a new start for us this time. Last year Arjun lost his job for dasara, and the same time this year he again started going back to the job, we bought a plot.

It was good statrt , hopefully new time started.Praying durga to make a path for the construction

 

I also made Chocolate house.

Dasara 2018

Theme Numbers in Myhtology.

Studied too much on to make the theme of vishnu names ,but somehow , decided on the numbers theme .This theme was in my mind from pas t 2 years finally ! this year I culd make it
Adding to my excitement , this year I was little less occupied from my office work , hence could enjoy doing the preparation with much more happiness . Well ! Akshara is 6 now and so much help from her side . Kool !
 Well ! as settled to the number theme , started on brain stoming with the dolls we already have , so that like every year I coould save some amount . Ah ! that's just a thinking , but always love too buy new dolls . Of Course ! i do keep mind the budget :-)
After so much , thinking and writing on paper I could make the theme work without any new dolls .
   Some corner in the mind , creativity woke up , and thought of using Navadhanya and made 9 cute dolls  and to their frock stuck the dhanyas . And my darling daughter helped to extent that she could

  1 -- Ardha narishwara , 2 -- Couples ,3 -- Tridevi , 4 -- 4 yugas,  5 --Panchamukhi anjaneya , 6 -- Shanukha , 7 -- Surya rtaha (representing 7 colours and 7 days),
  8 -- Ashta Lakshmi , 9 -- Navadhanya , 10 -- Dshaanan
 Still palnning to go to Krishnagiri, may be anna (my dad) also want to join us . Not Sure ! what to buy . Till now the expenditure this time is 200 Rs . Kool !

  Well Could not resisit going to buy dolls . Anna also came , super excited , but he did not buy many dolls as it would be difficult to carry .

   This time from Krishangiri we got Vishwaroopam, ramanuja, and musical trinities for us and anna got narasimha and Krishna Vasudeva

  Well all set for this year . We started preparations and as it was weekend , not too much strain . This time Akshara was also very much excited and started preparations for ZOO and named it Akshara's zoo :-) , she was actually competing with me to make her's look more beautiful . Not to forget there we made barbies in quatar . As we had few things to represent Quatar.

  Ah ! not to miss I also wrote the poem in kannada explaining the theme .

   Finally 2018 Done Successfully   .