Through the dense Malleswaram market sidewalk, we stopped at a small joint. It seemed small from outside but as you get inside, it never ends. The more you indulge - chances are that you won't be able to come out with your wallet intact. All kinds of different dolls, terracota statuettes, traditional wooden pieces, plastic and moulded stuff for fancy - essentially all kinds of stuff that Navaratri can bring on.

There was a beautiful and ornate pair of wooden pattada gombe (wedding couple) complete with all the ornaments, traditional clothing and a set of nadaswara players etc...it was incredibly beautiful. And all beautiful things that are meant to be decoartive pieces tend to be expensive :) I ended up coughing more than 4 thousand rupees on those.

The pleasure of these 9 nights are incommensurate with the money spent on seemingyl trivial stuff! Setting up the stage for display of these various colors and spectres, rummaging through old trunks to bring up some old brass pieces, going out in the sun to select some tiny rocks to create Kailasa parvata...unending stream of work, but very rewarding!

This year, we have this wonderful couple sitting atop the Kailasa, we have a lovely cricket ground with all players intent on pushing themselves to win! All the lights are dazzling and creating a sight hitherto unknwon to my little daughters!

I take a step back, look at these small creations and feel good! As we slowly move into the middle ages, we value some things more than we did them some years ago! I can see myself going through these moments that are almost "aha" to me!
This year Navaratri has added a new flavour to our lives! Navarasas are making our lives complete and navadhanya are feeding many of us!
May the goddess bless everyone!