From Chennai to Pune: A Software Engineer’s Journey to Curate a Unique Golu Display
Pune, 27th September 2025: Jaya Ramesh, originally from Chennai, spent 15 years in the U.S. before moving to Pune with her family in 2008. A software engineer-turned-yoga trainer, she has been carrying forward a deep-rooted cultural tradition—the Golu display, a stepped arrangement of dolls and figurines that marks Navratri celebrations in the southern states of India.
Jaya shares her nostalgia, “When our children were younger, we used to celebrate with two parallel displays: one following the traditional golu arrangement, and another crafted by the children with themes like dollhouses, race tracks, and jungle safaris.” Over the years, Jaya has curated her own themes, ranging from Warkari traditions to Krishna Leela.
This year, her theme is the Jyotirlingas. The idea took root when a close friend set out to visit all 12 Jyotirlingas before her 50th birthday this October. Beginning in Rameshwaram last November, they journeyed month after month, covering 2–3 shrines each time.
Through her display, Jaya wants to capture the uniqueness of each Jyotirlinga. She commissioned models of every temple, recreated the sanctum sanctorums with the distinct Shiv lingas, and added mementos from each temple. She marks, “It is not merely a display, but a living tapestry of devotion, tradition, and the stories each temple holds.”
For Jaya, Navratri is as much about community as it is about worship. She welcomes friends and family to join in, celebrating the cultural and spiritual significance of the season. Each morning, she performs a puja and chants the Durga Suktam, Shree Suktam, and Medha Suktam, invoking the blessings of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Evenings conclude with an aarti, followed by prasad: Navadhanya Sundal—a wholesome dish made of sprouted legumes with a light tempering, symbolizing nourishment and grace.
“The heart of Navratri is community. The offerings, the display, and the festive cheer bring loved ones together,” she smiles.
