Golu Guide

Golu A visual guide to the Navaratri doll festival.

See how a Golu comes together, step by step: the kalash and deities at the top, saints and epic scenes in the middle, village life below, and the dolls families treasure for generations. Then go deeper with 180 guides.

By Prashant Dhingra

See the steps Browse 180 guides
A festive Golu display of dolls and figurines arranged on steps
Golu brings deities, saints, stories and everyday life together on the steps. Practices vary by family, region and sampradaya.

Golu at a glance

What is Golu?

Golu (also Kolu or Bommai Golu, Bombe Habba in Karnataka and Bommala Koluvu in the Telugu states) is the South Indian Navaratri tradition of arranging dolls on an odd number of steps, worshipping the Goddess each evening, and inviting friends and family to visit.

Guests admire the display, often sing a song, and leave with sundal and thamboolam. On Vijayadashami many families lay one doll down to rest before the Golu is packed away until next year.

  • 9 nightskept through Navaratri
  • 3 to 9steps, usually odd
  • 1 kalashoften on the top step
A decorated Golu with dolls arranged on cloth-covered steps

Reading a Golu from top to bottom

The steps of a Golu

A common order moves from the divine at the top to everyday life at the bottom. Tap a step to read its guide.

  1. Durga and Devi dolls on the top step of a Golu Step 1Kalash and the principal deitiesThe top step usually holds the kalash and the main forms of the Goddess, the focus of the daily puja.
  2. Dashavatara Golu set of the ten avatars of Vishnu Step 2Gods and their avatarsVishnu’s Dashavatara, Shiva and Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati sets often fill the next steps.
  3. Saints and acharyas in a Golu display Step 3Saints, sages and acharyasSaints, poets and teachers are placed with respect below the deities.
  4. Ramayana scene arranged with Golu dolls Step 4Scenes from the epicsRamayana and Krishna Leela scenes turn a step into a story told in dolls.
  5. Raja and Rani dolls in a royal court scene Step 5Royal courts and celebrationsRaja-Rani durbars, wedding processions and festivals bring human life onto the steps.
  6. Village life scene with farmers and animals in a Golu Step 6Village life, markets and animalsFarmers, potters, shops and animals usually fill the lowest steps.

Families adapt this order to their own dolls and customs. See how to arrange Golu dolls by level.

Signature dolls

Dolls you will meet

From the Marapachi pair to the goddesses of wealth and learning, these are the figures that make a Golu recognisable.

Marapachi wooden doll pair dressed for GoluMarapachi dollsThe carved wooden pair at the heart of many Golus. Chettiar and Chettichi merchant dolls with their shopChettiar and ChettichiThe merchant couple and their shop. Lakshmi dolls with prosperity themesLakshmi and prosperityLakshmi dolls and themes of plenty. Saraswati dolls with veena and booksSaraswati and learningVeena, books and the Goddess of learning. Shiva and Parvati Golu displayShiva and ParvatiKailasa scenes and the divine wedding.
Artisan painting handmade Golu dollsHow Golu dolls are madeRead the guide Handmade clay Golu dolls beside modern dollsHandmade clay vs modern dollsRead the guide

How do you start a Golu?

Choose a spot with room for guests, build three, five, seven or nine sturdy steps and cover them with cloth. Place the kalash and main deities at the top, arrange the rest of your dolls step by step, light a lamp and offer sundal on the first evening of Navaratri. Read the step-by-step setup guide.

180 guides in nine sections

Explore the Golu Guide

100 Golu photos and wallpapers, grouped by doll and display.

  • Krishna Leela Golu scene
  • Temple-themed Golu display
  • Royal court scene with Golu dolls
  • Shiva and Parvati Golu wallpaper
  • Traditional wedding set Golu wallpaper
  • Festive Golu display wallpaper

Open the image gallery

Golu: quick answers

What is Golu?

Golu (also Kolu or Bommai Golu; Bombe Habba in Karnataka and Bommala Koluvu in the Telugu states) is a South Indian Navaratri tradition of arranging dolls on an odd number of steps, worshipping the Goddess each day, and inviting friends and family to visit.

How are the steps of a Golu arranged?

A common order places the kalash and main deities on the top step, other deities and saints below them, then scenes from the epics and human life, with village life and animals on the lowest steps. Families adapt this to their own dolls and customs.

When is Golu kept?

Golu is set up on or just before the first day of Navaratri and kept until Vijayadashami, the tenth day, when many families lay one doll down to rest before taking the display down.

What is served to guests at a Golu?

Visitors are usually given sundal, a dish of tempered legumes offered first to the Goddess, along with thamboolam such as betel leaves, fruit, turmeric and kumkum.