• “Bommai” is the word for dolls• “Kolu” means displaying

• In South IndiaThe festival is celebrated for nine days following the new moon day during the tamil month of Purattasi (September - October). And hence be known as Navarathiri.

(nava means nine)

• Navratri is the longest Hindu festival which is celebrated all over India, in praise of Lord Rama and goddess Durga.

• The display of Dolls is on a set of steps either ready made or make shift in nature. Generally the steps are in odd numbers..

Like this,a three step…

Or a five steps like this..

If space and time permits can extend like this to nine steps also..

The first three days of the festival is devoted to the Goddess Sri Durga.

The arrangements of the dolls are also done in similar pattern.

• The first three steps are filled with dolls of the deities, various God and Goddess are displayed here.The main being Sri Durga Lakshmi and Saraswathi.

• The next couple of steps are filled with religious saints, Gurus, and notable figures of the world .

• The seventh step is dedicated to various social activities and festivals. People depict marriages and important festivals in this step …

• The next consecutive steps are filled with wooden dolls and hand made pieces, that reveals the talent of the lady of the house.

• The last step is generally done by the little children and comprise of their toys and small theme works, like a grocery shop or a playground et al.

Or a real big theme like this..India’s pride launch, Chandrayaan.

• Colorful designs called rangoli is drawn in front of the set up.

Some lovely designs..

The outlines are done with rice flour.

• One of the main doll that is placed in the center of the set up is called “Marapachi”.

• It is wooden , man and wife displayed as such or decorated according to taste..

• This festival in north is celebrated as Dussera,

victory of lord Rama over demon king Ravana.

• giant dummies of Ravana stuffed with fireworks are shot with arrows until they blow up before a large, applauding audience

Garba dance is played during Dussera in Gujarath.

Dandiya is another social event during Navratri..

• DURGA PUJA, is the name of the festival in West Bengal.

• Decorated idols of goddess Durga is worshipped for nine days.

• On the tenth day taken out in huge procession and immersed in tanks, rivers or sea.

• In karnataka, the Mysore palace is illuminated with lights,to mark the Dassera celebration.

• Majestic procession of dance and music with decorated royal elephants is the special event of the city, during Dassera.

• Dassera day is considered a most auspicious day.

• It is a time-honoured belief that if any new venture is started on this day, it is bound to be successful.

• Hence, all the undertakings be it laying-in of foundation of a new building, opening of a new commercial establishment or even initiating a child into the world of learning- are started on this day.

• Also on this day implements of agriculture, manufacturer's machines, the intellectuals pens, the household articles, the children's school books are placed before the idol of Durga and Saraswathi, the Goddess of knowledge, and worshipped.

• This day all the weapons/tools of learning and creation is worshipped, hence is also called “Ayudha puja”

• The Ayudha Puja is a worship of whatever implements one may use in one's livelihood

• Vehicles used for daily commuting is decorated specially, and offerings are made with prayers.

• Public vehicles also get their share of dressing up this season.

• Even Locomotives get a facelift..

• Thus the festival is a social cum religious affair. People from all walks of life interact with each other exchanging sweets and gifts. the victory of good over evil is the bottom line of the festival. Till date it has been followed with grand success.