Kolu or Kolu or Bombe Habba (Kannada) or bomma gullu(malayalam) or Bommai Kolu (Tamil) or Bommala Koluvu (Telugu) is a toy festival celebrated during the festival of Navratri in Southern India, it is customary in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, as well as in some Tamil communities within Sri Lanka.[1] This is an exhibition of various dolls and figurines in odd (usually 7, 9, or 11) numbered tiers (padis).
kolu or Golu in Tamil (கொலு) means Divine Presence. Bommala Koluvu(బొమ్మల కొలువు) in Telugu means Court of Toys. Kolu/Bommala Koluvu represents the divine presence of the Goddesses Saraswati, Parvati and Laxmi in the Kannada, Telugu and Tamil households during Navaratri (Nine nights).
When people come to person's house to see the Kolu, usually they give prasad (the offering given to God that day),kumkum, a holy powder and small bag of gifts. In the evenings, "kuthuvilakku" (small lamp) is lit, in the middle of a decorated "kolam"(Rangoli), before the Kolu and devotional hymns and shlokas are chanted. After performing the puja, the food items that have been prepared are offered to the goddesses.
Bhajan during Navratri Golu in Coimbatore, India
Kolu is adorned with dolls – predominantly with that of the gods and goddesses depicting mythology. It is a traditional practice to have at least some wooden dolls. There should also be a figurine of a boy and a girl together called 'Marapacchi' Bommai.[2]
On the 9th day (Saraswati Puja), special pujas are offered to Goddess Saraswati – the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in the puja and worshipped as a source of knowledge. Also, tools are placed in the pooja as part of "Ayudha Pooja". Vehicles are washed and decorated, and puja is performed for them.
The 10th day, "Vijayadasami" – is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which evil was finally destroyed by good. It marks a new and prosperous beginning. New ventures started on this day are believed to flourish and bring prosperity. Kids often start tutoring on this day to have a head start in their education.
In the evening of "Vijayadasami", any one doll from the "Kolu" is symbolically put to sleep and the Kalasam is moved a bit towards North to mark the end of that year's Navaratri Kolu. Prayers are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year's Kolu and with a hope of a successful one the next year. Then the Kolu is dismantled and packed up for the next year.
Ashta Lakshmi murti worshipped in a Golu display during Dusshera.
( hari krishnamurthy K. HARIHARAN)"
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