Marapachi Dolls facts for kids
Marapachi Dolls, also known as Marapachi Bommais, are special wooden dolls from South India. Their name means "wooden dolls." These traditional dolls are often made from red sandalwood or other red woods. People display them during the Golu festival, which is part of the Dassara or Navaratri celebrations.
Marapachi dolls usually come in pairs, representing a king and a queen. Children enjoy dressing them up and displaying them during the Golu festival, also called "Bommai Kolu." In places like Tirupati, these dolls are beautifully carved. They are sometimes said to represent the god Venkateshwara and his partner. In Kondapalli, they are also made as Raja-Rani (King and Queen) dolls, which are a must-have for the Golu festival.
A Special Tradition
Marapachi dolls are often passed down through families. It's a tradition for a mother to give these dolls to her daughter when the daughter begins her own Bommai Kolu display.
Another special custom in South India is to give Marapachi Dolls to newly married couples. These dolls are meant for their future children to play with. If the dolls are made from red sandalwood, they are believed to have a special benefit. When a child plays with and even licks the doll, a tiny bit of the wood's natural goodness might mix with their saliva. This is thought to be good for the child's health.
Displaying Dolls at Golu
The Golu festival is a big event in South India, especially in states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It's part of the Navratri festival. During Golu, people arrange dolls on steps or tiers. These displays usually have an odd number of steps, like 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11. Most often, there are nine steps.
In the traditional setup, the Marapachi Dolls are placed on the very top step. Other dolls, which can be made of clay or wood, are arranged on the lower steps. On the first day of Navratri, which is a New Moon day, the women of the house offer prayers. They pray to the goddesses Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
