About Navaratri
Navaratri - Celebrating the good winning over evil
Kolu is a Hindu autumn festival celebrated over 9 nights (Navratri). It is an exhibition of dolls and figurines. Spiritually, it is believed that Goddess Durga fought with a demon and won on the 10th day. Every night, all the Gods/Goddesses and living beings visited to seek her blessings. The Navratri Kolu doll exhibition is said to represent this scene.
Socially, it was a time when agriculture was inactive due to the weather. The only business that thrived was doll making. So people used to buy/exhibit these dolls and invite their family/friends and offer them healthy food , sing and have happy time together . This was one of the way that a community ensured that they take care of each other.
Our family has a tradition of expressing a new theme every year through stories from Hindu mythology every year. This way, we stay connected to our culture. We wanted to share this season with everyone and created this website and a supporting iOS app as an effort towards it. We will be adding 3D /AR experience and detailed stories behind each scene soon. Watch out for updates!
Glad that you visited our virtual Kolu and happy Navratri to you all!
Displays
This is the central part of the Kolu display , where dolls are displayed in 3,5,7,9 or 11 stairs. Click image to learn more…
The three primary goddesses are depicted in various forms every year. Click image to learn more….
Nine forms of emotions or “Navarasas” are depicted through stories from the Hindu Mythology . Click image to learn more…
Nine forms of devotions or “Nava-vida Bhakthis” are depicted through stories from the Hindu Mythology . Click image to learn more…
Nine forms of wealths or “Nava-Nidhis” are depicted through stories from the Hindu Mythology . Click image to learn more…
Nine stories from the life of Saint Shirdi Saibaba that shared life lessons to humans are depicted through stories from the Hindu Mythology . Click image to learn more…
Nine personal virtues or Nava Gunas to be practiced for attaining freedom from the cycle of birth and death are depicted through symbol and stories from Hindu scriptures. Click image to learn more
There are many situations and stories related to the divine marriages , they are presented in the displays. Click image to learn more…
Festivals are conducted in the temples during the different seasons of the year and each of them have a significance associated .Some of the Divine festivals are presented in the displays , Click this image to learn more….
Temples in India have mythological stories associated with them , We These stories are depicted in different displays . Click image to learn more…
The Daily life in Indian villages and towns are presented in the Kolu displays. More here……
There are many fables associated in Indian culture which teach moral values to the Children, Some of the stories are presented in the Kolu display, Click image to learn more….
Stories from the Western world , that the children could connect , learn / enjoy are also part of the Navaratri Kolu, Click image to know more…
