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About Navaratri Golu

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About Navaratri Golu

Golu (or Kolu) is the South Indian custom of arranging dolls on steps for the nine nights of Navaratri, in September or October. It is called Bommai Kolu in Tamil, Bombe Habba in Kannada and Bommala Koluvu in Telugu.

Families set up an odd number of steps, often five, seven or nine, and arrange dolls of gods, saints, wedding scenes, village life and favourite themes, with the wooden marapachi couple and a kalasam at the top. Many pass dolls down the generations and add new ones each year.

Each evening, women and children visit friends' golus, sing songs, and receive sundal and thamboolam. The nine nights honour Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, and end with Saraswati Pooja, Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashami.

  • Nine nights of Navaratri
  • Dolls on 3, 5, 7 or 9 steps
  • Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra
  • Sundal and thamboolam

Where it began

Golu, also called Kolu, Bommai Kolu or Bombe Habba, means a display. The steps show the order of creation, from plants and animals up to people, saints and gods at the top.

Legend says all the gods gave their powers to goddess Durga to fight Mahishasura, standing still like dolls while she fought. The golu honours that moment.

The dolls are often passed down for generations, and a pair of wooden dolls called marapachi bommai, given to a bride, sit on many golus.

A home golu with dolls set out on stepsTamil Nadu

How it grew over time

  1. Old custom

    Navaratri worship with displays was kept in royal courts and temples of South India.

  2. Vijayanagara times

    Royal Navaratri festivals in Hampi were grand events, and the custom spread to homes.

  3. Family tradition

    Clay and wooden dolls became heirlooms, with new dolls added every year.

  4. Today

    Golus include theme displays, from village scenes to cricket matches and space missions.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Tamil Nadu

    Bommai Kolu fills homes and temples, and women visit each other with gifts.

  • Karnataka

    Bombe Habba, with the royal doll pair, is part of Dasara, especially in Mysuru.

  • Andhra Pradesh

    Bommala Koluvu is set out in many Telugu homes.

  • Diaspora

    Tamil and Kannada families in the US, Singapore and UK keep the golu and visit each other.

Navaratri Golu moments

The Chettiar couple, a much loved golu pairTamil Nadu
Dancing dolls ready for the golu stepsTamil Nadu
A Thanjavur dancing doll, a golu favouriteThanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Horse and rider dolls for the goluTamil Nadu

Navaratri Golu today

Each evening women and children visit golus, sing songs, and receive sundal and a gift of betel, fruit and kumkum. On Vijayadashami a doll is laid to rest, and the golu is packed away for the next year.

How people celebrate Navaratri Golu

  • Dolls arranged on steps
  • Marapachi wooden dolls
  • Sundal every evening
  • Visiting golus and singing
  • Thamboolam for guests
  • Theme parks on the lower steps

How to wish well

  • Golu wishes are sent through the nine nights; an invitation to see your golu is a lovely wish in itself.
  • Dolls, sundal, songs and the three Goddesses make great themes.
  • "Iniya Navaratri Vazhthukal" is the common Tamil greeting.

Questions about Navaratri Golu

When does Navaratri Golu start in 2026?

Golu is set up for the first night of Navaratri. In 2026 that is expected on 11 October; see the date shown on this page.

Why are there odd steps in a golu?

Golu steps are traditionally odd in number, such as 3, 5, 7 or 9, said to be auspicious.

What are marapachi dolls?

A pair of wooden dolls, a bride and groom, placed in every golu and often given to daughters at marriage.

What is sundal?

A dish of boiled chickpeas, peanuts or beans with coconut and spices, offered and shared each evening of Navaratri.

What do you say when visiting a golu?

"Happy Navaratri" or, in Tamil, "இனிய நவராத்திரி வாழ்த்துகள்"; guests often sing a song before receiving sundal.

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