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| {{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
| | '''Golu''' may refer to: |
| {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
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| {{Infobox holiday
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| | holiday_name = <small>Tamil: Bommai Kolu<br>Telugu: Bommala Koluvu<br>Kannada: Gombe Habba</small>
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| | type = Hindu
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| | longtype = [[Hindu]]
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| | image = Navratri Golu.jpg
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| | caption = Dasara dolls arrangement
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| | nickname =
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| | observedby = Residents of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
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| | begins = [[Mahalaya]]
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| | ends = [[Vijayadashami]]
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| | celebrations = Navratri
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| | observances = Story telling with dolls, family visiting
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| | relatedto = [[Navratri]]
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| '''Golu''' is the festive display of dolls and figurines in South India during the autumn festive season, particularly around the multiday [[Navaratri]] (Dussehra, Dasara) festival of [[Hinduism]]. These displays are typically thematic, narrating a legend from a [[Hindu text]] to court life, weddings, everyday scenes, and miniature kitchen utensils. They are also known as '''Kolu''', '''Gombe Habba''', '''Bommai Kolu''' or '''Bommala Koluvu'''.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Unique-artistic-creative-Kolu-plans/article12547720.ece Unique, artistic, creative: Kolu plans], The Hindu (6 October 2012)</ref><ref name="ClausDiamond2003p443">{{cite book|author1=Peter J. Claus|author2=Sarah Diamond|author3=Margaret Ann Mills|title=South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ienxrTPHzzwC&pg=PA443|year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-93919-5|pages=443–444}}</ref><ref name="Bado2010p35">{{cite book|author1=Nikki Bado-Fralick|author2=Rebecca Sachs Norris|title=Toying with God: The World of Religious Games and Dolls|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jq8sAQAAIAAJ |year=2010|publisher=Baylor University Press |isbn=978-1-60258-181-4|pages=35–36}}</ref> | |
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| Each displayed item in a Golu display is sometimes called G''olu doll'' or equivalent. These are typically made by rural artisans from clay and wooden materials then brightly painted. They are generally arranged in an odd number of ''padis'' (tiers) to tell a story. Goddess-related themes are common, along with developments such as anticipated wedding within the family and of friends.<ref name="ClausDiamond2003p443" /><ref name="BornetBurger2012p192" /> During the Golu display season, families and neighbors visit each other with gifts to view and chit-chat over the Golu display, share festive foods, and sometimes play music or sing devotional songs together.<ref name="BornetBurger2012p192">{{cite book|author1=Philippe Bornet|author2=Maya Burger|title=Religions in Play: Games, Rituals, and Virtual Worlds|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=t3X18dopUoMC&pg=PA188 |year=2012|publisher= Theologischer Verlag Zürich|isbn=978-3-290-22010-5|pages=188–194}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Vasudha Narayanan|editor=Knut A. Jacobsen|title=Routledge Handbook of Contemporary India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=--9WCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA342|year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-40358-6|page=342}}</ref> Major [[Hindu temple]]s such as the [[Meenakshi temple]] arrange elaborate golu displays each year for [[Navaratri]].<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Navarathri-celebrations-Meenakshi-temple-golu-display-steals-the-show/articleshow/54706589.cms Navarathri celebrations: Meenakshi temple golu display steals the show], The Times of India (6 Oct 2016)</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/crowds-throng-madurai-meenakshi-temple-for-golu/article5206661.ece Crowds throng Madurai Meenakshi temple for ‘golu’], The Hindu (6 October 2013)</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/gods-and-gopurams-in-full-glow/article6465343.ece Gods and gopurams in full glow], The Hindu (1 October 2014)</ref>
| | *[[Golu (festival)]], a festive display of dolls and figurines in South India |
| | *[[Golu Devata]], a deity of the Kumaoni community of India |
| | *''[[Golu Hadawatha]]'', a 1968 Sinhalese language romance film |
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| ==Etymology==
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| Bommai Kolu in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] means ''Doll Decoration''. Bommala Koluvu in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] means ''Court of Toys'' and Gombe Habba means ''Doll Festival'' in Kannada. It is a part of the annual Dasara-Vijayadasami Hindu festival where young girls and women display dolls, figurine, court life, everyday scenes along with the divine presence of the Goddesses [[Saraswati]], [[Parvati]] and [[Laxmi]] in the Tamil, Kannada and Telugu households during [[Navaratri]] or The Nine nights.<ref name="ClausDiamond2003p443"/>
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| ==Description==
| | {{disambiguation}} |
| [[File:ಒಣ ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿ ಕೆತ್ತನೆ.jpg|thumb|left|Traditional bride and groom dolls made from dry coconut at homes, Karnataka.]]
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| On the first day of [[Navaratri]], following [[Ganesha|Ganapati]] puja, a welcoming ritual is performed for goddesses [[Saraswati]], [[Parvati]] and [[Lakshmi]] by Hindu ritual called Kalasa Ahvanam which is performed by an elderly male or female of the family at an auspicious time. This is then followed by building a rack of odd-numbered shelves of ''Kolu'' (or ''Padi'') (usually 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11), set up using wooden planks. After the Kolu has been covered with fabric it is then adorned with various dolls, figurines and toys according to their size, with the deities at the top.<ref name="BornetBurger2012p192"/>
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| The Kolu is predominantly displayed with depictions from Hindu mythological [[Puranas]] text, court life, royal procession, ratha yatra, weddings, everyday scenes, miniature kitchen utensils, anything a little girl would have played with. It is a traditional practice to have wooden figurines of the bride and groom together, called '[[Marapachi Dolls|Marapacchi Bommai]]' or 'Pattada Gombe', usually made of sandalwood, teak or rosewood or dried coconut and decorated with new clothes each year before being displayed on the Kolu. In southern India, bride is presented with 'Marapacchi Bommai' during the wedding by her parents as part of wedding trousseau to initiate the yearly tradition of 'Navaratri Golu' in her new home with her husband. {{citation needed|date=November 2017}} These dolls come as couples dressed in their wedding attire, depicting husband and wife symbolizing prosperity and fertility and the start of the bride's Golu collection. Display figurines are passed on from one generation to another as heirloom, and are often several generations old. In old Mysore area 'Pattada Gombe' is also believed to be a tribute to the Wodeyars the benevolent and progressive monarchs who ruled of the region for around 600 years.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
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| [[File:బొమ్మల కొలువు.JPG|thumb|A Bommala Koluvu display in early 1950s.]]
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| In the evenings, women within the neighborhood invite each other to visit their homes to view the Kolu displays; they also exchange gifts and sweets. A ''Kuthuvilakku'' lamp is lit, in the middle of a decorated [[Rangoli]], while devotional hymns and [[shloka]]s are chanted. After performing the [[puja (Hinduism)|puja]], the food items that have been prepared are offered to the Goddess and then to the guests.<ref name="BornetBurger2012p192"/>
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| 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.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
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| The 10th day, [[Vijayadashami|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. Later, on the evening of [[Vijayadashami|Vijayadasami]], one of the doll from the display is symbolically put to sleep, and the Kalasa is moved a bit towards North to mark the end of that year's Navaratri Golu.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} Prayers are offered to thank the Lord for the successful completion of that year's Kolu and with hope of a successful one the next year. Then the Kolu is dismantled and packed up for the next year.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
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| ==Significance==
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| Kolu also has a significant connection with the agricultural and handicrafts professions in India. Besides the economic aspect of the festival, it is an important occasion for socializing. During this season relatives and friends in south India make it a point to visit each other's homes. This is also a very important occasion that promotes creative expression for women and for the family to work together on an aesthetic aspect.<ref name="BornetBurger2012p192"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Vasudha Narayanan|editor=Knut A. Jacobsen|title=Routledge Handbook of Contemporary India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=--9WCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA342|year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-40358-6|pages=341–342}}</ref>
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| ==Gallery==
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| <gallery>
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| File:Golu1.JPG|Navarathri Golu in [[Tamil Nadu]]
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| File:Navratri Golu.jpg|Navarathri Golu display
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| File:Golu Full View.jpg|Display of the ''Navratri Golu'' in seven steps in Tamil Nadu
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| File:Navratri kolu special.jpg|Navarathri Golu
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| File:Golu australia 2018.jpg|Display of Navarathri Golu in Australia
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| File:A Tanjore doll.jpg|A dancing Golu doll from Thanjavur
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| File:Masked shop owner in Melbourne golu 2020.jpg|Trader with mask showing COVID-19 safe in Golu display
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| File:Golu in melbourne Australia.jpg|Temple village Golu display in Australia[[File:Temple village setup in Australia Golu display.jpg|thumb]]
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| </gallery>
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| ==See also==
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| *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp_hMs4wreo An Indian Railways Train model kept as part of Navaratri Golu/Koluvu]
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| *[[Navratri|Navaratri]]
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| *[[Vijayadashami]]
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| *[[Hinamatsuri]]
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| *[[Marapachi Dolls]]
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| == References ==
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| {{Reflist}}
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| == External links ==
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| *[http://casualwalker.com/navarathri-kolu-dolls-street-shop-trail-north-mada-street-mylapore-chennai Navarathri Golu / Kolu Dolls Showcase and Display - Photos]
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| *{{commonscatinline}}
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| [[Category:Hindu festivals]]
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| [[Category:Tamil festivals]]
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| [[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
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| [[Category:Religious festivals in Sri Lanka]]
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| [[Category:September events]]
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| [[Category:October events]]
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