Have come one-third the way, two-thirds remain.
Navrātri is also an important occasion because of the opportunity to socialize. People visit each other’s houses, exchange sweets and generally catch up on the happenings of the previous months.
Today, I got a chance to visit the most happening Golu in south Dubai – the one at Gāyatri Nilayam.
Golus are dolls, mostly made by rural artisans and displayed in an elaborate arrangement in a stepped fashion – these steps are odd in number and called padis. Golu arrangements usually depict devās and ashtalakshmis, besides also depicting scenes from everyday life.
Gāyatri has been arranging golus from many years, and each year an every-growing number of eager-eyed visitors get the chance to visit her for a dekko. She has spent a lot of time building this collection, and the golus now compete for pride of place in her padi arrangements. Here are a few snapshots:
This kind of arrangement requires dedication, devotion and perseverance – and the results speak for themselves. I was unable to have the lovely sweet pongal and vada that she had made, but the Golu darshan was prasad in itself…thank you Gāyatri!
Tomorrow is the first day of the creation of the new self. I have stayed away from coffee and tea for these past three days – tomorrow I may (or may not) have a cup. The key factor is whether you are in control, or they are. The reset in Navrātri helps you gain control of some aspects of life that you willingly surrendered and now grapple to get hold of…
Avyakta Yog- Day 3
- Yogic warm up
- Tadasana
- Surya Namaskara
- Shavasana
- Balasana
- Balasana variation
- Adho Mukha Shvanasana
- Ujjayi pranayama
- Dhyana
- Shavasana
I included Shavasana, since it is mandatory after āsanas, prānāyāma or dhyana. Shavasana is easily the most difficult of āsanās in yog. You can read more about it here.
As the article says, Shavasana is preparation for death, and so tomorrow I practice swara yog – which is preparing for rebirth. The fourth day of Navrātri…
Here is the next in the Devi Mahātyama series:
ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥