Deck your temple for Navratri: Experts share stylish decor ideas
What's the story
Navratri, a Hindu festival celebrated over nine nights, is a time of devotion and joyous gatherings. As families honor the Goddess Durga and embark on a spiritual journey, the ambiance at home plays a crucial role. And decorating the temple area can elevate the festive spirit. Here's some expert advice on how to transform your sacred space into a festive focal point.
Fabric
Employ colorful drapes to decorate the space
Raghunandan Saraf, founder and CEO, Saraf Furniture says, "Vibrant and colorful materials, such as cotton or silk, can be used to create eye-catching drapes surrounding the temple area. Consider choosing typical Navratri hues, such as yellow and red." Adding fabric drapes is easy, and it will infuse the space with the energy and vibrancy of the festival, adding to the overall visual appeal.
Flowers
Flower power
Puja rituals traditionally incorporate flowers, and you can enhance the ambiance by including decorative blooms in and around the puja room with additional flowers. Saraf suggests creating exquisite garlands and flower curtains using marigolds, roses, and other seasonal flowers to adorn the temple area. Additionally, consider laying fresh flower petals in front of the deity's image or idol for added elegance.
Rangoli
Get creative with rangoli designs
Use vibrant rangoli powders to create elaborate designs at the temple entrance. Express your creativity by incorporating a variety of colors and unique flower petals into your rangoli design. You can elevate its visual charm by including a few diyas. Tejpal Singh Shekhawat, founder and CEO, Kalyanam Furniture recommends placing decorative diyas or candles in the temple area.
Wall decor
Add paintings and posters
To infuse your puja room with a festive spirit, consider adorning the walls near the temple with beautiful paintings or posters featuring Hindu deities or themes associated with Navratri, as recommended by Shekhawat. These can create an immersive atmosphere of spirituality and celebration. Additionally, incorporating traditional torans or banners can enhance the vibrancy of your puja space, giving it a truly festive flair.
Lighting
Light up the area with string lights
Another way of decorating your puja room is by incorporating fairy lights or string lights into your temple to create a mystical atmosphere. "You can cover the temple area with them or hang a canopy of lights over the image or idol of the deity," suggests Shekhawat. Alongside flowers, this lighting touch can add an ethereal charm to your puja room during Navratri.