The festival of Navratri is celebrated all across India and different Indian states celebrate it differently according to the customs and traditions they follow. While in Kolkata and places near West Bengal people celebrate the Navratri with Durga Puja, people in Gujarat celebrate with Dandiya and Garba. Likewise, people in Tamil Nadu celebrate Navratri by placing and showcasing dolls. This is known as Bommai Golu with Bommai meaning Doll in Tamil. This festival is celebrated as Bommala Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Gombe Habba in Karnataka. In this story, we tell you more about this festival of dolls celebrated during Navratri and ways to place Golu dolls.
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Navratri Golu: Why is it celebrated?
Navratri leading to Dussehra celebrates the spirit of good winning over evil. By placing golu dolls, this thought is reiterated among the people.
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Navratri Golu: When to keep Golu in 2024?
Golu Navratri 2024 starts on October 3, 2024 and ends on October 11, 2024. October 12, is Vijaya Dashami.
Navratri Golu: Golu kalasam timing 2024
The Golu kalasam is kept in the morning on the next day after Mahalaya Amavasaya. Once the Golu kalasam is kept, kalasam puja is done and neivedhyam is offered to the god. The kalasam is generally kept in the first step of the golu in the centre with idols of Ganesha, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi beside it. You can also keep the Kalasam and the idols of the gods on the last step of the golu at the bottom by keeping it on a pedestal.
Navratri Golu 2024: Placing of the dolls and decoration
There is no upper limit on keeping the number of dolls in Golu. The Golu dolls are placed in steps with odd numbers. So, if you want to keep a small golu of only one step or one can use steps of 3 or may also go till steps of 9 or more.
The steps are covered with cloth and the dolls are placed on them. These golu dolls may be single ones or may be part of a set that depicts a story. Most dolls are made of either clay or wood. Every year people buy new dolls for golu and add to their existing collection.
Also, golu dolls are passed on from one generation to another.
Traditionally, people used to spread white cloth with golden zari on the golu steps. But nowadays people have started using bright coloured kancheepuram sarees so that the dolls look great with a nice contrast.
Dolls kept in golu mostly tell a story like the Dashaavatar, Ramayan, Raas Leela, Sita Kalyanam or depict landmark religious places like the Tirupati Balaji temple, Siddhivinayak temple etc.
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Navratri Golu: Dolls that are kept
With Shakti being integral to golu, goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga and the wooden doll- known as Marapachi dolls are placed as part of the Navratri golu necessarily. Some people according to their customs also place the ‘Kalash’ on the Golu steps. Some of the Navratri golu doll sets that are kept as Navratri Golu are the Raas leela, Lanka Dahan, Marriage set, School set etc. Chettiar Golu Dolls (shopkeepers)and dancing dolls are also traditionally kept dolls.
Nowadays the dolls available are also very contemporary and quirky. For example, the below shown pani puri set kept in Navratri Golu.
As the tradition goes, people place golu dolls on Amavasya day and then invite people to see the display from the next day. On Dashami day, one doll is put to sleep with an idea to greet them again next year. Next day, all the dolls are packed nicely to be kept again next year.
In addition to the steps, people make gardens and parks as part of the golu decoration. Mustard seeds are used for making the trees of the park. While in the olden days people used to keep animals and traditional parks, now people are using newer ideas like making theme parks etc.
Source: Pinterest
Navratri Golu 2024: Colours to be followed
Each day of Navratri has a colour attached to it and people across the country dress up according to the Navratri colour chart as these colours on these days are considered to be very auspicious.
Navratri colours for 2024 are
| Date | Colour |
| October 3, 2024 | Yellow |
| October 4, 2024 | Green |
| October 5, 2024 | Grey |
| October 6, 2024 | Orange |
| October 7, 2024 | White |
| October 8, 2024 | Red |
| October 9, 2024 | Royal Blue |
| October 10, 2024 | Pink |
| October 11, 2024 | Purple |
Each day during Navratri is associated with a colour which signifies something auspicious. Mentioned above are colours associated during Navratri this year. October 12, 2024 is Vijaya Dashami.
Marapachi Dolls in Golu Navratri
The Marapachi dolls are wooden dolls that are an important element in Golu Navratri. They are also known as Pattada Gombe. The Marapachi dolls are made of either teak wood or sandalwood. These are dressed and placed in the Golu step.
Golu Navratri Haldi Kumkum
Once Golu Navratri is kept at home, people are invited home to see the dolls and take blessings of the god. As part of the Haldi Kumkum, married women are gifted betel leaf, betel nut, comb, mirroe, haldi, kumkum, blouse pieces or some gift like lamp, dry fruits etc.
Golu Navratri 2024 Prasad
Sundal a popular south Indian snack is the prasad for Golu Navratri. Based on the day, that particular sundal is made and given as bhog to god and distributed among people.
FAQs
When does Golu Navratri 2024 start?
Golu Navratri 2024 starts on October 3, 2024 and ends on October 11, 2024. October 12 is Vijaya Dashami.
What is marapachi doll made of?
Marapachi dolls are made of teak or sandal wood.
What is the prasad given during Golu Navratri?
Sundal is the main prasad given during Golu Navratri.
Can you make Golu Dolls with clay?
Yes, you can make Golu Dolls at home using clay and acrylic paints.
What are the other things you can use to make Golu Dolls?
You can make Golu Dolls using Coconut shells, wool, paper mache, etc.
Is it necessary to keep golu dolls for all 9 days of Navratri?
If you are unable to keep golu for all 9 days, you may keep the golu dolls for the last 3 days.
How many steps should be there for placing the golu dolls?
While there is no limitation on the number of dolls placed, the steps in the golu should be an odd number.
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