Namaskaram! This is Vishnupriya, in the previous blog I shared about the importance of the Navaratri festival, now in this blog I am sharing about the procedures, do’s and don’ts to celebrate Navaratri Golu for beginners and newbies.

First, on Mahalaya amavaysa day clean the place with raw salt and draw maa kolam (rangoli with rice flour). After keeping Kalasam Navarathiri Golu Dectoration starts and needs to be odd-numbered steps like 3,5,7 or 9 steps.

Now let's look at do's and don'ts

1. Do we need to take a head bath daily?
   Yes, if we use the bed. Also daily we need to wear madisar (dried up separately) nowadays it's optional.
2. How to arrange kalasam?
   This is followed by most of the family but few don't follow. Kalasam is kept on silver or brass sombu along with mango leaf, turmeric, rice, and a few coins within. On top, a coconut is kept by applying manjal and kumkum, adding with a blouse bit every day flower has to be changed on the kalasam.
3. At what time we should do pooja?
   Morning before 7:00 AM and also Evening from 6 PM.
4. How many faced lamps we should light? Morning & evening?
   Yes, both at morning and evening 5 faces lamp is better.
5. How many steps do we need to keep?
   1, 3, 5, 7, 9 like that. The total steps count should be an odd number.
6. What are the must-bommais and most important?
   Single-sense dolls to Devathas. Kolu dolls should be made up of clay since it alone includes (pancha bootham) so please avoid keeping paper mesh dolls.
7. What should we keep in thamboolam to offer? To whom do we have to give?
   Thambulam has to be given to sumgali and kaniya ponnugal (betel leaves, coconuts, manjal, fruits, flowers, bangles, kumkum, and prasad) gift as per our wish and capability.
8. Do we need to take arati daily? What should we do with arati water?
   Yes. After the arati is done, the arati water should be poured to Tulsi or any other equvalent home grown plants.
9. Can we study on Saraswathi pooja day?
   Not on the day of Saraswati pooja. The next day morning between 4-6 AM we could study and practice the arts (vocal and instruments kept on pooja).
10. Do we have to put kolam in the vassal in the evening also?
    Yes, both in morning and evening. Keep the house clean, neat and fragranceful.
11. Can we clean the house these days?
    No. You should not do any cleaning work during these 9 navaratri days. Can do after navaratri is over.
12. Can we do haircut, nailcut, or any stitching work these 9 days?
    Not at all. Also you should not sleep in the afternoon times or at least till and after lighting the lamps. Should not stitch clothes in the house.

- Vishnupriya, Chennai