By As UAE has a big Indian community, all Indian festivals are celebrated in a grand manner. UAE is a very tolerant country were people of various faiths celebrate their festivals and coexist.
As in India, in the UAE, the expatriate Indians celebrate Navarathri as in their home states; Gujaratis do dhandiya, Bengalis do Kali pooja… we Tamilsbkeep Golu at home.
For those who are unaware, Golu means, arrangements of dolls in 3/5/7 or 9 steps. From the top most step to lowest step, we keep idols of Gods,yogis, gurus, humans, animals and plants in that order This signifies every creature is equal, Paramatma resides and all can reach the feet of Paramatma.
This festival gives an opportunity for elders and kids to express their creativity and team work. By involving kids in the arrangements, they learn about our festivals and values. There’s a seperate construct, other than Golu steps, where each home makes creative themes like parks,mountains, temples etc. There’s a healthy competition amongst friends to outdo each other in this creative endeavor.
We are a part of a group of families, for the past 14 years, that conducts satsang every weekend. we call this group as SSG(Sharjah Satsang Group)
During navarathri, as a group, we visit each other’s house, chant Lalitha / Lakshmi sahasranamam, do archanai & chant Devi slokas. Ladies and kids sing devotional songs and exchange thambulam ( haldhi, kumkum, flower, fruits & a small gift) . We have lunch / dinner and cherish the moments together.
It’s a pleasure to watch elders and kids in our traditional attire and following our tradition in a foreign land.
All these nine days, we invite/visit friends and have quality time with them.
Celebrating all festivals same as in India, helps the kids, raised outside India, to understand & enjoy the spirit of our festivities.
Here, I’m attaching some of the pictures & videos of our Golu and performances
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