Simple Ideas of Arranging Dasara Dolls (Golu/Kolu/Gombe)

It is the season of Dasara! In every nuke and corner of India the on-going celebration is  very grand.
Today we come towards south of India during this season for a special festive event that happens in most homes in these 10 auspicious days. The Dasara Golu/Kolu/Gombe festival.

Ladies indulge in collecting, arranging and handing over of dolls to their younger generations at home during the festival of Navaratri.

If you strictly follow the tradition and methods of arranging dasara dolls at home, there are several rules to follow.

There is a specific day, usually on Mahalaya Amavasya, to unpack all the old dolls and arrange in steps.

There is specific time/muhurtha, mostly on the first day of Navratri, to set the kalasha along with the dolls. 

The kalasha should also have a mirror placed in such a way that the kalasha should be visible in it.

Diya – oil lamps are to be lit every day for the doll sets. Flower offerings are to be made too every day without fail.

  

Puja to be performed after bath everyday along with offering prasada (any sweet recipe)

No consuming non-veg food, garlic, onion, throughout the 10 auspicious days.

Invite guests and share the prasada recipes with all other ladies.

There are much more to follow. This is usually a tradition followed by ladies. Those who have practiced this tradition for ages and generations know the rules of Dasara doll festival in more detailed manner.

Leaving behind the rules and regulations here, we proceed to share very simple and basic ideas of arranging few doll sets to decorate your home.

Dasara Doll Arrangement Activity for beginners and kids

If you are just a beginner with doll set collection, or have no background of arranging dolls in your family, or want to begin this doll arranging activity due to kid’s interest/pressure, then the below discussed ideas and arrangement will be of help.

Do not force yourself with the puja vidhi vidhana (traditional rules). Take everything easy and just enjoy the activity with your kids and interested people. With time and suggestions, you will learn to practice in a better way each year. Don’t even bother if you have no

What you need? – put together all that you have at home

Place – decide a place where you will arrange and keep all the toys and dolls in your living room. It needs to be there for the next 10 days. So make sure the setting doesn’t disturb your family members.

Stand/stool/racks – depending on your doll collection size, decide on what you need to arrange them. Choose a wide stool or cardboard box on which you can place the dolls in your desired manner. Small racks arranged in steps are best suited to arrange all the toys.

Cloth - a white cotton dhoti or cream silk shawl or any other decorative piece of cloth to cover the doll-stand.

Decorative flowers and lights – after you have placed your minimal set of dolls in your desired manner, decorate the whole setting with creative ideas. Use real or artificial flowers. Connect led lights to the entire set up for a sparkling look. Also pace oil lamps in between the oils.

Wide floral pot – Choose a wide mouthed bowl/pot/plate and fill with water. Arrange water plants and flowers in the water.

Kalash –Kalash is important part of any Indian festival. It typically includes a silver or brass pot filled with water or grains. At the mouth of the pot, a coconut is placed along with mango leaves.

Doll & Toys Arrangement Themes & Ideas

Dasara Jumbo Sawari

With gold brocade and zari clothes claded elephants carrying ambari and shiny umbrellas, the procession is a treat to the eyes. Along with elephants are traditionally dressed soldiers on their horses marching though the wide roads in Mysore.

So, why not depict this picture using wooden toys.

Random arrangement of divine figures

Collect few clay models showing stories of mythology and set them all together. Add colored led light strips for an extra effect. Also place a water filled harivana (wide mouthed brass vessel) with attractive flower arrangement.

A marriage event

In Indian wedding is a special event. Show a wedding event with pandit performing rituals along with the couple and some additional dolls who represent as family members and relatives.

A simple garden

A garden with pond, trees, tiny bushes, grasses, birds and few animals. This will fascinate kids and keep them interested in arranging whatever is present in their collectibles.

Similarly, a forest theme with wild animals in the arrangement can be built up.

All toy sets that are in your kid’s collection

Bring out everything that you have bought so far for your kids. The soft toys, the wooden puzzle toys, kitchen set, animal set, anything and everything. After all this is a toy festival.

A permanent show case stand with see-through glass racks and doors

A traditional wooden show-case stand can be made as a permanent place for your doll collection. 

Separate section for Krishna oriented dolls, Ashta Lakshmi dolls, Ganesha dolls, chariots and musicians, animals, birds,  street vendors, vegetable sellers, cobblers, such dolls that has specific themes.

Have you come across any doll arrangement? Share your ideas of doll arrangement this season.