Navratri Golu (Kolu) Installation at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

The festival of Navratri brings with it one of South India’s most beloved traditions – Navratri Golu (also called Kolu , Bombay Habba , or Navratri Golu ). This beautiful tradition of displaying dolls and idols in beautiful arrangements transforms homes into miniature temples, creating a divine atmosphere that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

If you’re new to this tradition or looking to set up your first golu at home, this detailed guide will tell you everything you need to know, from understanding the spiritual significance to creating stunning displays that honor the goddess and delight visitors.

What is Navratri Golu? Understanding the Sacred Tradition

Navratri Golu is a centuries-old tradition celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala during the nine-day Navratri festival. The word “golu” comes from the Tamil word “kolu,” meaning “divine presence” or “court.” During these nine holy days, devotees create elaborate arrangements of dolls, idols, and miniature scenes that tell stories from Hindu mythology, particularly focusing on the divine feminine.

Spiritual significance

The Golu tradition serves several spiritual purposes:

Celebrating the Divine Feminine : Each arrangement honors Goddess Durga and her various forms
Teaching tools : These exhibits teach children and visitors about Hindu mythology, moral values and cultural heritage
Community ties : Families visit each other’s golu, strengthening social bonds
Meditation and Concentration : Making and watching Golu helps in developing concentration and devotion
Culture preservation : This tradition keeps ancient stories and customs alive for future generations

Ingredients you need for your Navratri Golu

Before you begin your Golu installation, gather these essential items:

Basic Requirements

Wooden planks or sturdy platforms (various sizes to make stairs)
Clean white cloth or colored cloth to cover the stairs
Dolls and figurines (made of clay, wood, or metal)
Small oil lamps or LED lights
Incense sticks and stands
Fresh flowers (marigold, jasmine, rose)
Rice or lentils to make the pattern
small container for offerings
Pictures or idols of gods and goddesses

decorative items

Coloured powder (rangoli colours)
Small mirrors to create a water effect
Miniature furniture and accessories
Natural elements (leaves, branches, stones)
pieces of brightly colored fabric
Small toys and modern figurines (optional)

Step by Step Guide for Navratri Golu Sthapana

Step 1: Choose the right location

Choose a clean, well-ventilated area in your home that receives natural light during the day. Popular options include:

Sitting corner : Easily accessible for daily worship and visitors
Dedicated Pooja Room : Maintains sanctity and provides a peaceful atmosphere
Hallway or Entrance : Welcomes guests with a divine presence
Covered balcony or veranda : Provides natural light and air

Ensure that the chosen location has adequate electrical points for lighting and enough space for visitors to view and circumambulate comfortably.

Step 2: Create a Traditional Stepped Platform

The heart of any Golu is its staircase arrangement, usually consisting of an odd number of stairs (3, 5, 7, or 9), with 7 or 9 being considered the most auspicious.

Making your stairs:

Use sturdy wooden planks to build a pyramid-like structure of decreasing length
Ensure stability by placing heavy, long planks underneath.
Check the load capacity before placing the dolls
Leave enough space between the stairs for arranging dolls and decorations
Create varying depths to accommodate different sized sculptures

Alternative options:

Use a sturdy cardboard box covered with fabric.
Reuse old furniture like tables and stools
Buy ready-made golu stands from Indian craft stores

Step 3: Cover and Decorate the Stairs

Transform your basic platform into a divine environment:

Cover with a clean cloth : Cover each stair with a fresh, clean cloth. Traditional options include:
- White cotton cloth for purity
- Red silk for prosperity
- Yellow cloth for good luck
- A mix of bright colors for the celebration
Secure the fabric : Use safety pins or small weights to ensure the fabric stays in place.
Add border embellishments : Use gold lace, colorful ribbon, or traditional border designs
Create texture : Layer different fabrics or add pleating for visual interest

Step 4: Plan Your Theme and Arrangement

Traditional Golu themes include:

Classic Mythological Theme:

Scenes from the Ramayana : Depictions of key events from the life of Lord Rama
Krishna Leela : Stories from the childhood and youth of Lord Krishna
Devi Puja : Display of the various forms of the Goddess
Marriage ceremonies : Celestial marriages like Rama-Sita or Shiva-Parvati

Contemporary Theme:

Scenes from Village Life : Display of traditional Indian village activities
Modern social messages : environmental awareness, importance of education
Historical Events : Important Moments in Indian History
Seasonal celebrations : harvest festivals, regional traditions

Step 5: Arrange the dolls with devotion

Upper Step – The Most Holy:

Place the main deities (Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati) or your family’s chosen deities
Make sure these idols are placed facing east or north.
Provide adequate space for daily offerings

Middle Stairs – Supporting Characters:

Arrange the related gods, goddesses and mythological personalities
Create short scenes or episodes
Maintain visual balance and storytelling flow

Lower Steps – Daily Life and Nature:

Have dolls depicting common people, animals, and everyday activities
Include miniature houses, trees, and landscape elements
Add contemporary elements if desired.

Arrangement Tips:

Follow visual hierarchy : place larger, more important sculptures higher up
Create depth : Place some dolls slightly behind others
Maintain balance : Balance the system on both sides
Tell a story : arrange dolls to act out specific scenes or stories

Step 6: Add Lighting and Lights

Proper lighting turns your Golu into a magical display:

Traditional lighting:

Oil lamps : Place small earthen lamps filled with oil and cotton wicks
Multiple levels : Make sure each stair has adequate lighting
Safety first : Keep lamps away from clothing and in a stable position

Modern lighting options:

LED String Lights : An Energy-Efficient and Safe Option
Spotlights : Highlight specific dolls or scenes
Color-changing lights : Create dynamic visual effects
Battery-operated candles : Provide a traditional look without the fire risk

Step 7: Make Beautiful Rangoli Patterns

Enhance the base of your Golu with traditional Rangoli designs:

Simple patterns for beginners:

Concentric circles : using rice flour or colored powder
Floral designs : lotus, rose, or geometric flower designs
Traditional symbols : Om, swastika, or kalasha pattern
Border Design : Frame your entire Golu area

Materials for Rangoli:

Rice flour (traditional white)
Colored powder (red, yellow, green, blue)
fresh flower petals
Coloured rice or lentils
Small tea lights for lighting

Step 8: Prepare the Daily Prasad

On each day of Navratri, prepare special offerings for the Goddess:

Traditional Prasad Ingredients:

Coconut : Fresh coconut pieces or grated coconut
Fruits : Banana, apple, pomegranate (seasonal and fresh)
Sweets : Homemade or store-bought traditional sweets
Flowers : Fresh garlands or loose flowers
Betel leaves and betel nuts : traditional offerings
Kumkum and turmeric : sacred powders for tilak

Daily Preparation Schedule:

Morning : Fresh flowers, fruits, and water
Evening : Cooked offerings, sweets, and special preparations
All day long : Maintain cleanliness and freshness

Popular Golu themes for different interests

Traditional religious themes

Dashavatara Golu: Showcase the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, creating educational displays that teach children about Hindu mythology and impart spiritual significance.

Devi Navratri Theme: Special focus on the nine forms of Goddess Durga, with each day highlighting a different aspect of the divine feminine power.

Epic Stories: Create elaborate scenes from the Ramayana or Mahabharata, using multiple dolls to depict famous episodes and moral teachings.

Contemporary social themes

Environmental Awareness: Design exhibits that highlight the importance of nature conservation, tree planting, and environmental protection, combining tradition with modern concerns.

Educational Excellence: Create scenes that emphasize the importance of education, libraries, schools, and learning, inspiring children toward academic achievement.

Unity in Diversity: Showcase India’s cultural diversity through dolls representing different states, festivals, and traditions, promoting national unity.

Regional and cultural themes

Rural Life: Depict traditional Indian rural scenes, including farming, festivals, crafts, and community celebrations, preserving cultural memory.

Historical Moments: Recreate important events from Indian history, the freedom struggle, or regional legends using appropriate dolls and settings.

Seasonal festivals: Pay attention to harvest festivals, monsoon festivals, or regional seasonal traditions specific to your area.

Daily Rituals and Maintenance During Navratri

Morning rituals (sunrise)

Light oil lamps and incense sticks
Offer fresh flowers and change the water container
Perform a simple Aarti with prayers to the Goddess
Clean the area and dust the dolls
Prepare fresh prasad for the day

Evening ritual (sunset)

Relight all the lamps and add fresh incense sticks
Offer cooked food and special offerings
Sing devotional songs or play religious music
Welcome visitors and explain your theme
Distribute Prasad to guests and family

Daily Maintenance Tips

Carefully dust the dolls using a soft brush or cloth.
Replace withered flowers with fresh ones every day.
Fill oil lamps and trim wicks for better lighting
Check the stability of the system and adjust if necessary.
Document with photos to preserve memories

Safety Considerations and Tips

fire protection

Never leave oil lamps unattended , especially around children
Keep water nearby for emergencies
Maintain distance between diyas and fabric decorations
Use a stable diya holder that does not fall easily
Consider LED options for safer lighting

structural safety

Check the stability of the platform before adding dolls
Secure all systems to prevent falls
Keep pathways clear for safe visitor movement
Childproof the lower stairs if there are small children.
Regular security checks during the festival period

Hygiene and cleanliness

Daily cleaning routine to maintain purity
Fresh offerings only – remove stale food immediately
Cleanse hands before handling sacred objects
Separate utensils for preparing Prasad
Proper storage of dolls when not in use

Involving family and community

Educational Opportunities

Make your Golu a learning experience:

Story-telling sessions about the scenes displayed
Interactive questions for children who come
Cultural interpretation for newcomers to the tradition
Theme-related arts and crafts activities
Photography competitions among visitors

community involvement

Organize Golu competitions in your neighborhood
Exchange visits with exhibits from other families
Collaborative themes across multiple homes
Cultural events featuring music and dance
Prasad sharing to strengthen community bonds

Preservation of traditions

Documenting the process through photos and videos
Teaching children the importance and methods
Sharing stories about family Golu traditions
Making family albums of annual Golu performances
Passing down special dolls through generations

Modern adaptations and creative ideas

Technology Integration

LED programmable lights for dynamic displays
Sound system for devotional music
Digital photography for documentation
Social media sharing to spread awareness
Virtual tours for extended family members

Space-saving solutions

Vertical display for small apartments
Modular setup that can be easily modified
Foldable platform for easy storage
Multi-purpose furniture that comes in handy year-round
Compact themes focused on specific stories

Eco-friendly approach

Natural materials for decoration
LED lighting instead of oil lamps
Recyclable decorations and platforms
Organic offerings and flowers
Durable storage solutions for dolls

Conclusion: Embracing Divinity Through Navratri Golu

Setting up Navratri golu at home is more than just an artistic endeavor—it’s a spiritual journey that connects us to our cultural roots and provides opportunities for family bonding, community interaction, and divine contemplation. Whether you choose a simple arrangement or an elaborate display, the key lies in the devotion and love you invest in the process.

Remember that perfection isn’t the goal; devotion is. Your first golu may be modest, but with each passing year, you’ll develop skills, acquire more dolls, and create increasingly beautiful displays that reflect your growing understanding of this beautiful tradition.

When you light those oil lamps each evening and watch your carefully arranged dolls illuminated by a gentle glow, you are participating in a tradition that has brought joy, wisdom, and spiritual fulfillment to countless families for generations. May your Navratri golu bring divine blessings, family happiness, and cultural pride to your home.

May the Divine Mother fill your home with prosperity, peace and eternal joy through this sacred tradition of Navratri Golu!

This guide serves as a comprehensive introduction to the beautiful tradition of Navratri Golu. As you embark on this spiritual and cultural journey, remember that each family’s Golu is unique, reflecting their individual devotion, creativity, and family traditions. Embrace the process, learn from others, and most importantly, enjoy creating these sacred spaces that honor the divine feminine and preserve our rich cultural heritage.