There is a tradition of buying ‘kolu’ dolls and arrange them at home/workplaces/schools during the nine days of Navaratri. While pujas are conducted in the morning, evenings come alive with people visiting each other’s kolu.
Some Navaratri enthusiasts make creative displays by bringing unique features to the kolu display. They create their own miniature versions of elaborate arrangements of theme parks, pools, palaces, etc. This is also the time when temples, dance schools and cultural organisations conduct dance and cultural programmes featuring up-and-coming talents.
Photo:
K. Murali Kumar
Handpainted Golu dolls displayed for sale at a B.R. Dasara Doll’s store in Basavangudi in Bengaluru on Sept 20, 2025. There is a tradition of buying Golu dolls and arrange them at home during the nine days of Navaratri.
Photo:
K.K. NAJEEB
Bommakolu display arranged at Sreedharma Shastra Temple, Pazhaya Nadakkavu Pandisamooha Math, in Thrissur on Sept 21, 2025. While pujas are conducted in the morning, evenings come alive with people visiting each other’s kolu.
Photo:
NIRMAL HARINDRAN
The annual procession carrying Navaratri idols starts from Padmanabhapuram palace every year. Here it is seen passing through the streets of Karamana in Thiruvananthapuram on Sept 22, 2025.
Photo:
H.S. MANJUNATH
Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha temple being illuminated on the occasion of Navaratri celebrations, in Mangaluru on Sunday, Sept 21, 2025. Some temples also display a version of their kolu figures.
Photo:
M. PERIASAMY
An exhibition and sale of golu dolls at Poompuhar on Big Bazaar Street in Coimbatore. The dolls are made of clay and paper mache, have been sourced from Selvapuram and Madhampatty near the city.
Photo:
R. RAGU
Governor R.N. Ravi looking at the Navaratri Kolu Festival at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Sept 22, 2025. Some workplaces, temples and other organisations arrange a display of dolls every year to bring on a festive cheer.
Photo:
PTI
People look at the Navaratri festive display, arranged by the Bharatha Brahmana Maha Sabha, in Chikkamagaluru, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.
Photo:
K. MURALI KUMAR
Handmade ‘Golu’ dolls made by Lalitha Prasad with 25 concepts on the day 1 of Navaratri festival (Dasara), at her residence in Poornaprajna Layout Uttarahalli, in Bengaluru on Sept 22, 2025. Some Navaratri enthusiasts make creative displays of their own version by bringing unique features to the kolu display.
Photo:
H. VIBHU
‘Bommakolu’ displayed as part of Navarathri festival, at the Gramajana Samooham in Kochi. People step out and soak in the Navaratri festivities as the celebrations reach its peak.
Photo:
NIRMAL HARINDRAN
The streets near Saraswati temple in Poojapura is lit up in colours as part of the ongoing Navaratri festival in Thiruvananthapuram on Sept 23, 2025. This is also the time when temples, dance schools and cultural organisations conduct dance and cultural programmes featuring up-and-coming talents.
Published – September 27, 2025 12:33 pm IST
