4 things to know about Bommai Golu

Navratri – the festival of worshipping the Divine Mother – is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In Delhi, numerous events around Ramlila marks the celebrations, while in West Bengal, Durga Puja captures the essence of the festival. In Gujarat, it is celebrated by performing Garba and in South India, the celebration takes place in the form of Bommai Golu or Navratri Golu, which refers to the artistic display of dolls.

Celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, the festival includes placing dolls of a multitude of gods, goddesses, men, animals, and children on a steps-like set-up. In Tamil, Bommai Golu or Kolu means Divine Presence. Bommala Koluvu in Telugu means Court of Toys and Bombe Habba means Doll Festival in Kannada.

#1 What is the significance of Navratri Golu?

A Golu can be depicting scenes from ancient times, celebrated stories, or the sequence of evolution. Their depiction reminds us all of the lessons of these stories and the evolution ladder that everyone is treading upon.

#2 How is the display rendered?

The dolls are placed on steps set-up in the house in odd numbers. The numbers could vary from one to 11 depending on the number of dolls available. Many families place nine steps, each step representing the nine days of Navratri. The steps are covered with a decorative cloth and the dolls are placed on it.

#3 How to decorate Navratri Golu?

The topmost step is decorated with a kalash (ceremonial jar). The water-filled jar is decorated with a coronet of mango leaves and a coconut is placed on top of it. It is considered to represent Goddess Durga. Idols of deities are placed on both sides of the kalash. According to tradition, the dolls of Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and the Marrapachai Bommai couple must be necessarily placed. The Golu could also depict scenes from ancient stories such as Ramayana or Bhagavad Gita or simply depict the evolution of life from animals to the sages and seers.

#4 How is the Golu worshipped?

The Navratri Golu can be kept for three to nine days and the assembly of dolls is worshipped twice each day. Most people light lamps, perform aarti, recite shlokas(holy chants), and offer special dishes, especially protein-rich dish called sundal (made of legumes), with some sweets and fruits every day.

On ninth day, the goddess of learning and knowledge, Saraswati is worshipped. It is marked by placing books and musical instruments alongside the Golu.

On the tenth and last day, the Golu dolls are symbolically put to sleep and packed the next day to be brought out of the boxes the following year.

During the Golu set-up, women invite other women and honor them by gifting betel leaves, coconuts, fruits, flowers, bangles, turmeric, kumkum (vermilion powder) and prasadam (devotional offering of food made to the Divine and then distributed among people).