Dasara is one of the biggest festivals in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Celebrated in the month of Ashvayujam (usually September or October), it includes nine nights of Navaratri devoted to the Goddess, followed by Vijayadashami, the day of victory of good over evil.
For children, Dasara means school holidays, colourful dolls, new clothes, and visits to relatives. Here is a family guide to its most loved traditions.
Navaratri: Nine Nights of the Goddess
During Navaratri, the Goddess is worshipped in different forms. In many Telugu homes and temples, she is decorated each day as a different alankaram, such as Bala Tripura Sundari, Annapurna, Saraswati, Durga, and Mahishasura Mardini.
The most famous celebrations take place at the Kanaka Durga Temple on Indrakeeladri hill in Vijayawada, where lakhs of devotees visit during the festival.
Bommala Koluvu: The Festival of Dolls
A treasured tradition in many Andhra homes is Bommala Koluvu, a display of dolls arranged on odd-numbered steps (three, five, seven, or nine). The dolls show gods and goddesses, scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, village life, weddings, and animals. Families often include traditional Kondapalli toys made from soft wood.
In the evenings, women and children visit each other’s homes to see the displays, sing songs, and receive tamboolam (betel leaves, turmeric, kumkum, and small gifts). For children, it is a creative project: many build small parks, markets, or cricket grounds among the dolls.
Saraswati Puja
On the day of Moola nakshatram during Navaratri, many families worship Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning. Books, pens, and musical instruments are placed before her. It is also considered an auspicious time for Aksharabhyasam, a young child’s first writing ceremony.
Ayudha Puja
On Mahanavami, families honour the tools that help them work, a tradition called Ayudha Puja. Farmers decorate ploughs, drivers clean and garland vehicles, and students place their books and computers for blessings. It teaches gratitude for the tools of our daily life.
Vijayadashami and Jammi Leaves
Vijayadashami celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. In Telangana especially, people worship the Jammi chettu (shami tree) in the evening. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas hid their weapons in a shami tree during their exile.
After the puja, people exchange jammi leaves as a symbol of gold and good fortune, greeting elders and receiving blessings. It is also believed to be an auspicious day to start new ventures.
Dasara and Bathukamma
In Telangana, Dasara coincides with Bathukamma, the beautiful flower festival celebrated by women with songs and flower stacks, and Saddula Bathukamma marks its grand finale.
Festive Foods
Popular Dasara foods include pulihora, payasam, garelu, bobbatlu, and sweets offered as naivedyam each day of Navaratri, such as chakkera pongali and kesari.
Celebrating Dasara With Children
- Set up a small Bommala Koluvu with toys, dolls, and handmade crafts.
- Tell the stories of Rama and Ravana, and Durga and Mahishasura.
- Place schoolbooks for Saraswati puja and talk about the joy of learning.
- Clean and decorate bicycles and toys for Ayudha Puja.
- Collect a few leaves and practise the jammi leaf greeting with grandparents.
Final Thoughts
Dasara reminds us that goodness, courage, and learning always triumph. Its traditions, from dolls to jammi leaves, give children a colourful, hands-on way to connect with Telugu culture and values.
You May Also Enjoy
- The Kakatiya Dynasty: Leadership Lessons from Ancient Warangal
- Why Teaching Your Child Their Mother Tongue Boosts Their Overall IQ
- Is Ram Setu Real? Exploring the Myth, History, and Science Behind the Sacred Bridge
✍️ Have a story or article to share? Submit it for review and get published on Srikaram.org.
