During the Navaratri festival, the Yogi Ram ashram in Tiruvannamalai put up a spectacular and fantastic Golu in their main hall. Extending for over a hundred metres, this Golu was a real spectacle to watch. Every God of the hindu pantheon was present. Not only that, all the saints from all religions were also there. Many of the major holy places and temples in India were represented in detail.

It must have taken days for them to arrange this elaborate Golu. Hilly places were made from real mounds of earth with grass growing on them. Even the rare Amarnath Ice lingam shrine was arranged with the use of silver foil to make it look like ice. Famous Lord Muruga shrines like Palani, Lord Vishnu shrines like Tirupathi and Lord Shiva shrines like Chidambaram were displayed with the appropriate structures.

The saints were also represented in their forms including a special shrine for Shri Yogi Ram Surath Kumar, the Guru of this ashram whose remains are interred in this place. The Devi goddess was displayed in every one of her numerous manifestations. Beautiful kolams were drawn in front of each array of gods and brass lamps were burning with prasad offerings placed in front. Apart from this, there were lovely golden serial lights strung everywhere to give a  festive aura to the whole show.

The various Leelas of Sri Krishna were depicted in intricate ways and with different sorts of toys and little figures crafted in wood and stone to add ampleur to the story. Sri Krishna, the favorite deity of Yogi Ram was revered in a special shrine in the popular form of the cow herd playing the flute to the Gopika maidens. Many other events from hindu mythology were also depicted with great detail and taste. It was indeed a rare treat to see this wonderful Golu in Tiruvannamalai and devotees were loud in their praises for this  splendid and holy exhibition.

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