Last Updated: October 16, 2023, 15:11 IST
Navratri is a special occasion to worship Goddess Shakti.
The tradition was upheld at the Shiva Vishnu temple located behind Villupuram’s new bus station.
Navratri, celebrated across India, is a festival devoted to the veneration of the Divine Mother. In states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, the festivities include the creation of intricate doll displays depicting deities, animals, children, and various other figures.
Particularly in Tamil Nadu, Bommai Golu or Kolu is believed to symbolize the divine presence. Recently, this tradition was upheld at the Shiva Vishnu temple located behind Villupuram’s new bus station. The Kolu doll display included a wide range of sets, such as wedding sets, baby shower sets, cricket sets, and more.
Likewise, many temples across the Villupuram district celebrate Navratri by worshipping Kolu dolls. The Navratri festivities commence with the arrangement of steps, typically set at counts of 5, 7, or 9. The traditional preference is to have nine steps, oriented towards the east or north direction on the Kolu platform.
Shivaratri is the auspicious day dedicated to Lord Shiva, and similarly, Navratri is a special occasion for worshipping Goddess Shakti. Throughout the nine days of Navratri, devotees partake in worship, including Kolu dolls to seek blessings. For example, individuals seeking marriage may use Kolu doll wedding sets, while those looking for blessings for a baby shower may use Kolu toy baby shower sets in their rituals.
These dolls are shaped from clay, with wax often used to form figurines of fruits and vegetables for the display. The Golu Bommai dolls are arranged in various sections, representing scenes like parks, schools, zoos, and more.
In a recent media interview, a local toy manufacturer shared insights about their production of 30 unique Kolu toys crafted from paper pulp. The manufacturer provided details on the manufacturing process, explaining that it begins with the creation of a specialized mixture for shaping the Kolu dolls. This mixture includes ingredients such as gum powder, yam flour, maida, cement, and paper pulp. Notably, the manufacturer highlighted the price range for these Kolu dolls ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 2,500.