Dasara

Dasara or Navaratri is one of the most famous festivals in India. In some parts of the country it is celebrated for 10 days. The word dasara comes from „dashhara“ where „dash“ means ten and „hara“ means defeated.

goddess Chamunda

Dasara celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated in different ways. It is done through worshipping of the goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga). Chamunda (Chamundi or Charchika) got her name as combination of Chanda and Munda, two monsters she killed. Chamunda is a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother and one of the seven Matrikas (mother goddesses). She is also one of the chief Yoginis, a group of 64 or 81 Tantric goddesses, who are accompanying the warrior goddess Durga.

Krishna and Gopi with dolls

The second way of celebrating Dasara is exhibiting colorful toys on the day of bombe habba in Karnataka. Karnataka is a state of about 53 million people in the south of India. Its capital and biggest city is Bangalore.

Golu exhibition of dolls and figurines

Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala organize „Golu“ (Kolu or Bommai Kolu). It is an exhibition of different dolls and figurines. They are arranged in odd (usually 7, 9 or 11) numbered layers („padis“). The Golu Padis are usually covered with white cloth, decorated with white flowers and other decorations.

goddess Durga

There is a story about it. The goddess Durga needed extra ordinary power. To help her all other gods and goddesses gave all of their power to Goddess Durga. Without power they all stood still as toys. Out of respect for this act of self-sacrifice people exhibit toys which are in the shape of gods and goddesses.

During Dasara people who have Golu receive many guests. Women wear silk saris (Kancheepuram Pattu Pudavais), jewelry and some jasmine flowers in the hair. Dasara is a chance for kids (younger than 10 years) to dress up in the evening as Krishna, Radha, Andal, Meera, Pattu Mami and other characters.

prasad

Girls and married women get a prasad (the offering given to God that day), kumkum and a small bag of presents. Prasad or „a gracious gift“ usually includes some flowers, fruits or sweets. Kumkum is a powder, made from turmeric or saffron, which is used social and religious markings in Hinduism.

In the evenings, people prepare a small lamp or "kuthuvilakku". The lamp is lit in the middle of decorated "kolam" (rangoli). Kolam is kind of sandpainting made every morning from rice flour by women in the family. Kolam is usually made in front of the family house.

kolam (rangoli)

In past Kolam was made for birds and other small animals as „invitation“ to enter the house. This was seen as a way to establish harmony among all living beings. Kolam is a sign of welcome for all guests. One more detail about Kolam. Lines in Kolam must be completed. In a symbolic way evil spirits then can not enter the house.

Devotional hymns and shlokas (prayers) are chanted. A very popular Shloka on Goddess Durga is:

Ayigiri Nandhini Nandhitha Medhini
Viswa Vinodhini Nandhanuthe
Girivara Vindhya Sirodhini Vasini
Vishnu Vilasini Jishnunuthe
Baghavathy He Sithi Kanda Kudumbhini
Boori Kudumbhini Boorikruthe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardhini
Ramyaka Bardhini Sailasuthe.

After performing the puja, the food items that have been prepared, are offered to the Goddess.

Dolls used in Golu represent different Gods and Godesses.It is believed that at least some of the dolls should be made from wood. Figurine of a boy and a girl together is a must too.