Golu Padi | Navrathri Steps

Navrathri or Golu brings back very special memories from my childhood. A festival that spans 9 days, with friends & family making it a point to visit each other , displaying dolls that have been handed down generations and setting the space to a theme. Add to that the little gifts for all guests and delicious 'sundal' every evening. Ah, it's beautiful.

The men are tasked with climbing up the attic & picking out the dolls from locked away trunks that come alive every season. 

The dolls are to be displayed in a shelf with odd number of steps (3/5/7/9 etc...) Back home (home is Chennai, India) one has the luxury of using steel frames that can be screwed in to position. I remember being my dad's little handy girl & slowly graduating to his apprentice over the years. I have to give him a lot of credit for not stereo typing the role of the woman and disregarding the occasional remark from my old fashioned grandmother that would go something like 'pon kozhandhai ta en sutheel kudukareL?' (Why hand a hammer to a girl child?).

Anyhow, appa dearest taught me to use the tools n made me take pride in building things. I enjoy woodwork, handy girl jobs & doing odd jobs around the house. 

Now, in our new home I have enough space in the garage and a workbench to take on bigger projects. Thus came along my fall project - the 5 step golu padi!

Here's what it entails

In one trip to Home Depot, get

1. 5 step stair stringer (2), ensure it's level when you buy ( pocket spirit level helps)

2. 2x2x8 furring rod cut in four to measure up to the height of the stair's 5th step & 3rd step

3. Two/Three Wood planks cut to make horizontal support bars, cut length to be as wide as you want your steps. Make sure they can get it through the main door after assembly

4. Wood board cut to size to place on stairs to make the 5 steps

5. Cordless drill. I have black & decker.

6. 3 inch nails & a suitable drill bit

7. Spirit Level

To start, find a place where the ground is level. As first step - fix the furring rod legs to either side of stair stringer.

Use 2 screws to attach the pole to the top edge of the step. Understand that the pole needs to be flush to the top so that your plank can sit without wobbling or the need to be screwed in place.

Similarly fit it flush to the side.

Tip : I found it easier to drill a small but deep hole to mark my position n then drill the nail through. It gets easier after the first trial.

Repeat the same for the other side so both legs are attached to the inside edge.

Next, find a way to balance these legs and begin attaching the horizontal board to determine width of step

I had decided on 32" so it fits comfortably through my main door. I leaned one side on the wall, n the other on a cardboard box as below n screwed the horizontal board in place.

I drove the nails from behind into the furring rod. 

Beginner's error : the 3 inch screw was too long for this combination of board n rod. But it was workable as the tip of the screw is on the inside.

Once this is done. Repeat for the bottom stair to provide base support

Now you can remove the cardboard box n the frame will stand by itself. You can test to check how sturdy the stairs are, n provide additional leg support from the third step if required. I was prepared to do it, but didn't seem necessary.

Place pre-cut planks on top n voila, your own customized golu padi is ready!

 

Simply dismantle the stairs by unscrewing the 2 support boards. That collapses the construction to store and reuse next year.

It's really simple n just about anyone with a basic vision can achieve it. I'd say - if you can assemble ikea furniture - you can build your own steps.