Golu · Bommala Koluvu
Bommai Kolu · Gombe Habba
During Navratri, families arrange dolls and figurines on an odd number of tiered steps and invite women and children to visit, sing, and receive sundal and tamboolam.
- Where it is observed
- Tamil Nadu · Andhra Pradesh · Telangana · Karnataka
- Communities
- South Indian Hindu families
- When to send
- 1–3 weeks ahead
- Invitation shape
- A visiting invitation rather than a fixed-time event. Guests drop in across the nine days, so the invitation communicates a window rather than a start time.
Who invites whom
The household hosting the Golu invites relatives, neighbours and friends — traditionally with a particular welcome to married women of the family and the neighbourhood.
Timing & dates
Golu invitations go out about a week to ten days ahead, and often informally. Because guests visit across several days, a shareable invitation that stays accessible works better than a one-time message.
2026–27 date guidance
Golu is arranged for the nine nights of Sharad Navratri — 11 to 19 October 2026 — and concluded on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026. Some families follow slightly different start conventions; confirm with your family's practice.
The ceremonies
Practice varies by family, community and region — not every household observes all of these.
Kalasha Sthapana
A kalash is installed and the steps are arranged on the first day of Navratri.
Padi Arrangementபடி
Dolls arranged on an odd number of tiers — commonly three, five, seven, nine or eleven — with deities on the upper steps.
Daily Visits
Guests visit across the nine days, sing before the Golu, and are given sundal, tamboolam and small gifts.
Saraswati Puja
Books and instruments are placed for blessing, usually on the ninth day.
Vijayadashami
The tenth day, when the Golu is ceremonially concluded and one doll is laid down to signify its close.
What the invitation must include
- The dates the Golu is open, and the hours guests may visit each day
- Home address with a map link
- Any particular day the family is hosting a larger gathering or Saraswati Puja
- A contact number, so guests can let the family know when they plan to come
Wording examples
Adapt these to your family's own voice — square brackets mark what you replace.
We invite you and your family to visit our Golu this Navratri. Our home is open from [Date] to [Date], between [Time] and [Time]. Do come and sing with us.
Golu open [Dates] · Saraswati Puja and haaram on [Date] at [Time]
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Related guides
Navratri & Garba Nights
Nine nights honouring the Goddess, celebrated in Gujarat with garba and dandiya raas — circular dances performed nightly around an earthen lamp or an image of the Goddess.
Durga Puja
The great autumn festival of Bengal, marking the Goddess Durga's annual homecoming. Celebrated over five main days in community pandals and in family homes.
Ganesh Chaturthi
The arrival of Ganpati in homes and community pandals, celebrated with daily aarti for a period chosen by the household — commonly one and a half, five, seven or ten days — ending in visarjan.