Get Creative This Navarathri: Easy DIY Crafts for a Festive Home

Navarathri is a vibrant nine-night festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It's a time for colorful decorations, spirited dances, and heartfelt prayers. What better way to immerse yourself in the festive spirit than by creating your own decorations? Crafting your own Navarathri decor not only adds a personal touch to your celebrations but is also a wonderful way to engage the whole family in a fun and creative activity.

Here are some simple and easy do-it-yourself (DIY) craft ideas to brighten up your home this Navarathri.

1. Dazzling Dandiya Sticks

The rhythmic beats of Garba and Dandiya Raas are synonymous with Navarathri. While plain wooden sticks do the job, why not add a splash of color and personality to your dandiya sticks?

A vibrant assembly of craft materials adorns a wooden table as dandiya sticks are meticulously decorated with colorful ribbons, sequins, and glitter for an upcoming festive celebration.

What You'll Need:

• Plain wooden dandiya sticks or dowels

• Colorful satin ribbons, glitter tapes, or fabric

• Glue

• Embellishments like small mirrors, beads, or tassels

Step-by-Step:

1. Start by wrapping the glitter tapes or ribbons diagonally around the sticks, covering the entire surface. You can use different colors for a vibrant look.

2. Secure the ends of the ribbons or tapes with a dab of glue.

3. Now, let your creativity shine! Glue on small mirrors, beads, or colorful stones in beautiful patterns.

4. For an extra touch, tie tassels or small bells to the ends of the sticks.

Your personalized dandiya sticks are now ready to make some noise and create beautiful memories!

2. Gorgeous Golu Dolls from Clay

A significant tradition in many parts of India during Navarathri is the "Golu" or "Kolu," a festive display of dolls on multi-tiered steps. This year, try your hand at making your own adorable Golu dolls from clay.

Crafting of Golu dolls in progress, with careful detailing and sculpting tools, capturing the essence of this traditional art form.

What You'll Need:

• Air-dry clay or polymer clay

• Acrylic paints

• Paintbrushes

• Toothpicks for detailing

Step-by-Step:

1. Take a portion of the clay and knead it until it's soft and pliable.

2. Mould the clay into the desired shape of your doll. You can create simple human figures, animals, or deities.

3. Use toothpicks to carve out finer details like facial features and clothing folds.

4. Allow the clay dolls to dry completely according to the instructions on the clay packaging.

5. Once dry, it's time to paint your creations. Use vibrant acrylic colors to bring your dolls to life.

These handmade dolls will not only add a unique charm to your Golu display but will also be a testament to your creativity.

3. Majestic Durga Devi Face on Paper

Create a stunning centerpiece for your Navarathri decorations with a handmade Durga Devi face. This craft is a beautiful way to honor the Goddess and can be a meditative and enjoyable process.

A creative paper craft featuring the vibrant and intricate face of Durga Devi, surrounded by art supplies ready to bring the divine visage to life.

What You'll Need:

• A paper plate or a thick sheet of card paper

• Pencil

• Acrylic paints or watercolors

• Paintbrushes

• Colored paper (red and black)

• Glue

• Decorative items like glitter, beads, and small ornamental stones

Step-by-Step:

1. Start by drawing the simple outline of Goddess Durga's face on the paper plate or card paper. You can find many simple templates online for reference.

2. Paint the face with a base color, like yellow or orange watercolor.

3. Use a fine brush to outline the eyes, nose, and lips.

4. Cut out the eyes, eyebrows, nose with a nose ring, lips, and a bindi from the red and black colored papers.

5. Carefully stick these facial features onto the drawing using glue.

6. Now it's time to decorate! Use gold glitter to enhance the crown and jewelry. You can also add ornamental stones and beads to give it a divine look.

This beautiful paper craft of the Durga face can be framed and used as a wall hanging to adorn your prayer room or any space in your home.

4. Traditional Torans (Door Hangings)

Welcome your guests with a beautiful handmade toran adorning your doorway. Creating a toran is a simple yet elegant way to add a festive touch to your home's entrance.

Intricately crafted traditional torans featuring vibrant orange hues and mirrored accents, symbolizing a warm welcome and festive spirit.

What You'll Need:

• Cardboard or thick cardstock paper

• Colorful paper (in traditional Navarathri colors like red, yellow, and green)

• Scissors

• Glue

• String or ribbon

• Decorative items like beads, small mirrors, or paper flowers

Step-by-Step:

1. Cut the cardboard into a long strip that will form the base of your toran.

2. Cut the colorful paper into leaf or flower shapes.

3. Glue the paper shapes onto the cardboard base, overlapping them to create a lush, festive look.

4. Decorate the toran with beads, mirrors, or paper flowers for an added sparkle.

5. Punch holes at both ends of the cardboard strip and tie a string or ribbon to hang it on your door.

This simple craft can instantly elevate the festive ambiance of your home.

5. Hand-Painted Diyas and Tea Light Holders

Light up your evenings with beautifully decorated diyas or tea light holders. This is a perfect craft for all ages and a great way to add a warm, inviting glow to your Navarathri decorations.

A warm display of hand-painted diyas beautifully arranged, illuminating the space with their vibrant colors and intricate patterns.

What You'll Need:

• Plain terracotta diyas or coconut shells

• Acrylic paints

• Paintbrushes

• Glitter, small mirrors, or beads

Step-by-Step:

1. Clean the surface of the diyas or coconut shells.

2. Paint them with a base color of your choice.

3. Once the base coat is dry, use finer brushes to create intricate designs and patterns.

4. While the paint is still slightly wet, you can sprinkle some glitter for a shimmery effect.

5. You can also glue on small mirrors or beads to create a more ornate look.

Arrange these decorated diyas around your home to create a magical and serene atmosphere.

Engaging in these DIY crafts is a wonderful way to celebrate the spirit of Navarathri. So, gather your materials, let your creativity flow, and make this festive season a truly special and personalized one.