Bommai Kolu in Navarathri Festival

Navarathri, a nine-night festival is celebrated with much devotion in India. The name of the festival has regional variations and so do the legends associated with it. In south India, especially in Kerala, this festive occasion is termed as Saraswathi Pooja.

Keralites (the people of Kerala) believe Goddess Saraswathi is the Goddess of Learning. During Navarathri, the Hindu community in Kerala performs Poojavaipu, a ceremony held at households and also in temples.

Books meant for study purpose, holy books and working tools and equipment are placed before the image or idol of Goddess Saraswathi.

One of the attractions during this festival is Bommai Kolu (a practice followed by Tamil Brahmins residing in Kerala) in which the idols of Hindu deities along with several dolls made out of clay and wood are arranged in a room.

Featured in this video is the beautifully arranged Bommai Kolu, in a Brahmin house in Thiruvananthapuram. Visitors to the house sing Carnatic music songs and are given presents and sweets.