Golu (also called Kolu or Bommai Golu) is one of the most loved Navratri traditions — a tiered display of dolls and figurines that turns your home into a little theatre of gods, saints, musicians and everyday life. If you have always wanted to set one up, this is your complete guide for Navratri Golu 2026: the steps, the rituals and the figurines that bring it alive.
Kept mainly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, golu runs through the nine days of Navratri (also Bommala Koluvu in Telugu and Gombe Habba in Kannada). Families build odd-numbered steps, place a kalash and the goddesses at the top, and fill the lower tiers with a whole world in miniature — then invite friends over for music, sundal and blessings.
Below is how to set up your golu step by step, the classic themes, and a curated set of handcrafted musician, dancer and village figurines from our Jodhpur workshop to grow your collection — because tradition says you add at least one new doll every year.
What Is Golu / Kolu?
Golu is a devotional doll display arranged on stepped shelves (called padi in Tamil) during Navratri. It celebrates the divine feminine — Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati — and tells stories from mythology and daily life through dolls. It is a social festival too: homes keep their golu open for visitors, who are welcomed with kumkum, sundal (a savoury legume snack) and small return gifts.
Navratri 2026 Dates
Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, 11 October to Monday, 19 October, with Ghatasthapana (the kalash installation and golu opening) on 11 October and Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday, 20 October. The golu is set up on the first day and dismantled after Vijayadashami, when one doll is symbolically laid down to rest. For the full decor plan, see our Navratri decoration ideas 2026.
How to Set Up Your Golu — Step by Step
1. Build the steps (padi)
Use an odd number of tiers — 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11 — built from wooden planks (or sturdy boxes) and draped with a clean, bright cloth. Odd numbers are considered auspicious, and the height gives each layer its own stage.
2. Place the kalash
Begin with the kalash (kalasam) — a water-filled pot crowned with mango leaves and a coconut — representing Goddess Durga. It is installed on Ghatasthapana day and anchors the whole display.
3. Arrange from top to bottom
Golu has a gentle hierarchy from the top step down:
- Top step — the deities: Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and your family gods.
- Next — saints, gurus and spiritual figures.
- Middle — kings, heroes and Dashavatara or Ramayana scenes.
- Lower steps — everyday life: the marketplace (Chettiar set), musicians, dancers, weddings and village scenes.
- Bottom — animals, birds and gardens.
4. Add one new doll every year
It is a cherished custom to add at least one new figurine to the golu each Navratri, so the collection grows with the family. The pieces below are made to be collected one by one.
Golu Themes & Figurines from Kraftskala
Hand-finished in Jodhpur, these sets map straight onto the classic golu steps — all in stock with free pan-India shipping.
The top step — goddesses & gods
Durga Maa Brass Idol — ₹2199. The presiding goddess of Navratri in brass — the natural centrepiece for the top step of your golu, alongside Lakshmi, Saraswati and Ganesha.
The orchestra — musician dolls
Rajasthani Musicians Showpiece Set of 3 Tribal Musicians Iron Statue Table — ₹1299. A trio of Rajasthani musicians — the start of the orchestra row every golu loves.
Traditional Musicians (Set of 3) Tabletop/Wall Hanging Metal Wall Decor — ₹1299. Another set of seated musicians to grow the music-band theme across a full step.
Small Cute 7.5 inch Metal Musician Dolls for Living Room Decor — ₹1299. Small, characterful 7.5-inch musician dolls — an easy way to add one new face to the golu each year.
Exquisite Handcrafted Rajasthani Band Baja Baraat Metal Showpieces — ₹1899. A Rajasthani band-baja troupe — perfect for a wedding-procession scene on a lower step.
Rhythms of Rajasthan — ₹2099. A pack of four Maharaja-era musicians — an instant orchestra in a single buy.
The dancers
Set of 3 Kalbeliya Dancers Metal Decor Items for Living Room Showcase — ₹1499. Three Kalbeliya dancers mid-swirl — colour and movement for the dance row.
Vibrant Rajasthani Graceful Dancers Tabletop Showpiece — ₹1499. Graceful folk dancers to pair with your musicians and complete the performance scene.
Village life — the lower steps
Handcrafted Ethnic Tribal Bullock Cart Showpiece — ₹1499. A tribal bullock cart — exactly the everyday-village scene the lower golu steps are made for.
Handcrafted Ethnic Tribal Boat with Dancing Musicians Showpiece — ₹1499. A folk boat with dancers — a charming vignette for the village-life tier.
African Tribal Ladies Showpiece Set of 3 Statues | 8 — ₹1199. A set of three tribal women — adds people and colour to the market and village steps.
Marapachi — the bride & groom
Home Decor Gujarati Dancing Couple Set of 2 Colourful Dandia Dancers Iron — ₹1499. A dancing couple in traditional dress — a lovely stand-in for the marapachi bride-and-groom pair traditionally placed near the top.
Lighting & Finishing Touches
A golu glows after dark. Line the steps and the floor in front with tealights and diyas, and draw a kolam (rangoli) at the entrance. Our handcrafted tealight holders & diyas are made for exactly this — and they carry straight through to Dhanteras and Diwali. See the Dhanteras shopping guide and Diwali decoration ideas for the rest of the season.
Golu Etiquette — Visiting, Sundal & Thamboolam
Keeping golu is as much about hospitality as decoration. Visitors sing or recite a few lines before the display, and are sent home with sundal and thamboolam — a small return gift of betel leaves, a coconut, fruit and often a little handcrafted token. A musician doll or a brass diya makes a lovely thamboolam; browse easy options in our festival gifts by budget guide, or for bulk thamboolam orders see the B2B catalogue.
Golu / Kolu FAQ
What is golu in Navratri?
Golu (Kolu) is a tiered display of dolls and figurines kept during Navratri, mainly in South India. It honours Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati and depicts mythology and everyday life across odd-numbered steps.
How many steps should a golu have?
An odd number — most commonly 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11 — as odd numbers are considered auspicious. Choose what fits your space; even a 3-step golu is complete.
What dolls go on a golu?
Deities on top, then saints and kings, then everyday-life scenes — musicians, dancers, a marketplace, weddings and village life — with animals and gardens at the bottom. The marapachi (wooden bride-and-groom pair) sits near the top.
When is Golu set up in 2026?
On Ghatasthapana, the first day of Navratri — Sunday, 11 October 2026 — and kept until Vijayadashami on 20 October.
What gift do you give golu visitors?
Thamboolam — betel leaves, coconut and fruit, often with a small handcrafted token such as a musician doll, brass diya or trinket box.
Build Your Golu with Kraftskala
Start your collection or add this year’s new doll — explore handcrafted musician sets, folk dancers and the Durga idol for your top step, or browse the full store. Free shipping pan-India, Cash on Delivery, and seasonal offers at checkout. Happy Navratri 2026!
