Navaratri begins on October 17
K.A.Viswanathan
With Navaratri starting on October 17, with many restrictions, housewives are busy buying new dolls in a shop at Matunga, to be kept in their house for display. Though this year no ladies will visit any house for "Haldi Kumkum" due to restrictions, some families still follow the rituals by keeping some symbolic dolls.
The owner of the Giri's Shop Rekha Giri said this year the customers are very less due to Pandemic and dolls have also come few in numbers from Tamil Nadu due to fewer workers to make and also transport problems.
Some of the dolls in demand are Mumbai Mahalaxmi temple, Kerala's Kathakali, Dasavatharams and dancing dolls. One family who had come to buy a few dolls said this year they are keeping only three steps Golu instead of regular five steps as no one will be visiting the house to see.
The pot makers at Dharavi are however busy making colourful pots to be kept for Navaratri pooja and the size of the Durga Devi idols also restricted to 4 feet in height.
Photo credits: K.A.Vishwanathan
