What does GOLU stand for? 

Golu

Golu is the festive display of dolls and figurines in South India during the autumn festive season, particularly around the multiday Navaratri (Dussehra, Dasara) festival of Hinduism. These displays are typically thematic, narrating a legend from a Hindu text or a secular cultural issue. They are also known as Kolu, Gombe Habba, Bommai Kolu or Bommala Koluvu.Each displayed item in a golu display is sometimes called golu doll or equivalent. These are typically made by rural artisans from clay and local materials then brightly painted. They are generally arranged in an odd number of padis (tiers) to tell a story. Goddess-related themes are common, along with developments such as anticipated wedding within the family and of friends. During the golu display season, families visit each other with gifts to view and chit-chat over the golu display, share festive foods, and sometimes play music or sing devotional songs together. Major Hindu temples such as the Meenakshi temple arrange elaborate golu displays each year for Navaratri. Golu displays are particularly popular in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and among their diaspora communities.

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