This set of 68 terracotta dolls is part of the traditional Navaratri Golu display that is common to many South Indian, particularly Tamil, households. During the Navaratri festival, households will display these dolls which include figures of gods, goddesses, leaders and everyday folk on tiered platforms. Villages and scenes from everyday life will be at the lowest level, with deities on the uppermost level. The dolls are symbolically “put to sleep” at the end of the festival, and brought out again the following year. A few new dolls will be added to the collection every year.
