A massive fan of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth from Madurai has found a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate Navaratri this year. Instead of the traditional idols of Gods and Goddesses, Karthik, a Rajinikanth devotee, has created a bommai kolu filled with 230 figurines of the actor.
In a video shared by ANI, Karthik can be seen performing a puja to a figurine of Rajinikanth, placed on a pedestal like a deity. The kolu, a South Indian tradition where figurines are arranged in steps to mark Navaratri, is decorated with images of Rajinikanth from various stages of his career. The 15-step arrangement features the actor dressed as Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, and in iconic looks from his blockbuster films. Karthik says, “We consider Rajinikanth as a deity, and that’s why we have placed dolls depicting him as gods.”
Building this unique bommai kolu was no small feat. Karthik spent two months creating and arranging the figurines. Each figurine represents Rajinikanth in different roles, ranging from mythological depictions to his famous film characters. Karthik plans to perform “special pujas” throughout the nine days of Navaratri, offering aarti to the figurines as part of the traditional ritual.
Bommai kolu traditionally showcases idols of deities, but over the years, the display has evolved. People have started including toys, film figurines, and even dioramas representing pop culture figures. Karthik’s kolu is a testament to how this tradition has become a space for personal expression, blending spirituality and fandom.
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Rajinikanth continues to be a huge star, with his recent appearances in Lal Salaam and Vettaiyan in 2024. He is currently working on Jailer 2 under director Nelson Dilipkumar. Fans like Karthik continue to celebrate his larger-than-life persona in unique ways, even turning him into a deity.