From royal courts to everyday households: Dolls & devotion mark the Gombe Habba

Rows of Devi in her many avatars — radiant as though painted by Ravi Varma — greet the eye. Around her are eclectic gombes: the royal Dasara procession, Shiva and Shakti with Ganesha, Bala Krishna, and musicians striking up the valaga and tabla. The fragrance of mallige hoo and Sugandha Raja flowers mingles with the aroma of usli simmering in the kitchen. This is how Navaratri unfolds across homes in Karnataka — through vibrant gombe or golu arrangements. More than just decoration, each display is an expression of devotion, storytelling, and community.

A canvas for creativity and humour

Actor, singer, and danseuse Chandana Ananthakrishna recalls being mesmerised by her mother’s gombe displays. “The dolls are arranged in odd-numbered steps — deities on top, followed by mythological figures, kings, queens, royal processions, and scenes from daily life,” she says. Families often experiment with themes, weaving creativity into the tradition. “The custom is to add one new gombe each year,” Chandana notes, adding that the ritual begins only after invoking the divine mother. Her family also keeps things light. “When my father asks my mother what she wants for the festival, she always says, Nange gombe kodsu (buy me a Dasara doll),” she laughs.

A beloved tradition that strengthens community

For actor Malavika Avinash, Navaratri turns her home into a darbar of the Goddess. Rows of dolls narrate stories of divinity, heritage, and faith. “This has been part of our family for as long as I can remember,” she says. “Some dolls are older than me, yet they remain at the heart of the display.” For her, the ritual is as much about togetherness as it is about devotion. “Arranging the gombes and inviting people keeps alive a practice that has bound families and communities for centuries,” she reflects.

Carrying it forward

Actor Archana Kottige feels privileged to have experienced the tradition both at her maternal home and now at her husband’s. “Being part of this feels like stepping into a lineage of love, faith, and creativity — something I hope to carry forward,” she says. As a child, she only watched her mother arrange dolls. “Now, with my mother-in-law’s vast collection, I’ve been promoted from observer to assistant,” she smiles. “Watching their passion makes me want to learn the custom properly so that I can one day pass it on to my children — dolls and stories included.” The food is an inseparable part of the celebration, she adds, “I love the different uslis made each day for the goddess, and offering kunkuma to our guests,” she adds.

A royal practice turned household tradition

“Gombe habba originally began as a royal practice in the Vijayanagara kingdom and was later adopted by the Mysuru royals during Dasara. Over time, it found its way into everyday homes,” explains Carnatic musician, educator, and architect Rohith Aras. “The gombe display signifies surrender to Shakti. But it also celebrates divine energy through dolls depicting the Devi in many forms.” In Rohith’s home, the tradition goes back three generations, with dolls that are more than 150 years old. “Every year, my ancestors and parents created unique themes around divinity, mythology, culture, and music,” he shares. This year, his family marks the 250th birth anniversary of Muthuswamy Deekshithar, featuring a statue of the composer alongside live performances of his works. Exclusive rooms narrating the stories of Shiva and Vishnu add to the festive atmosphere, while Rohith and his family host guests with music and food.