Navaratri and Golu

Navaratri, the nine nights of the goddess in the month of Purattasi (September–October), is celebrated in Tamil Nadu above all with Golu (Kolu): a display of dolls arranged on an odd number of steps, usually five, seven or nine.

The steps hold gods and goddesses at the top, then saints, scenes from the epics and festivals, and at the bottom everyday life: weddings, markets, cricket matches and village scenes. A pair of wooden dolls, the marapachi bommai, sits on the display, and many families add a park or a theme built on the floor. In the evenings women and girls visit one another's Golus, sing, and are given sundal (spiced lentils) and a thamboolam of betel, turmeric, kumkum and a small gift.

The ninth day is Saraswati Pooja and Ayudha Pooja, when books, musical instruments, tools, vehicles and machines are cleaned, decorated and worshipped. The tenth day, Vijayadashami, is considered auspicious for starting learning; children are initiated into letters, music and dance.

In Chennai, the streets around the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore fill with Golu doll stalls before the festival, and temples host nightly concerts. Kulasekarapattinam near Thoothukudi holds the Kulasai Dasara with costumed devotees.