Of dolls, stories, & a unique Dasara: The tradition of Bommala Koluvu is still alive

Dasara festival is all about dandiya, dressing up in red and white attire, and cooking delicious food at home. But how many of us still remember our childhood days when our grandmothers were busy preparing for Bommala Koluvu, the festival of dolls? Not just in Andhra Pradesh, there are many families from Andhra Pradesh, who got settled in Hyderabad observing this religiously, keeping koluvu at their home. Many of the families living in the apartments gather at one home and make bommala koluvu in a grand way. Bommala Koluvu also known as Golu is the traditional practice of displaying dolls that depict mythological stories, festivals of Andhra Pradesh, animals, water parks, cultural activities, and several other stories. Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari who likes toys and children is worshipped every Dasara through Bommala Koluvu. A Golu, with five or nine levels, is set up at home during the Navaratri festival. Neighbours and family members are invited to see the Golu. Many of them also bring a new toy which is then displayed in the Golu.