Bombehabba at Sankalpa

Bombehabba at Sankalpa

“Amma, who is that giant?”, “Krishna is trying to steal benne!”,“Such cute chairs!” There is no end to the questions and exclamations. Curiosity and enthusiasm are the secrets to a life filled with wonder. The bombehabba brings this wonder not just to the children but all those involved and lucky to come across it. Though we don’t have the custom of displaying dolls during navratri, my child is lucky to be a part of the beautiful Bombehabba at Sankalpa.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Policeman at the forefront of all the celebrations
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
A view of the display
A snapshot of the Dolls Display
Bombehabba is celebrated as part of the Navratri festival in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Known by different names such as golu, kolu, bommala koluvu, bommai kolu and gombehabba, the spirit of the festival is the same…unmatched enthusiasm for the dolls. The meanings for the different names are ‘Divine presence’, ‘Court of dolls’ and the ‘Dolls Festival’. The children love this festival and it brings out the child in the adults. It is believed that when the Devi took on the demon Mahishasura, all the gods gave their powers to the Devi. This rendered them to a doll like state. The Bombehabba at Sankalpa and everywhere else is an ode to their sacrifice. An offering is made to the dolls on display and distributed as prasadam. Festivals in India are occasions for celebration and socializing. The Bombehabba is more so because of the unique arrangement in each household depending on the different themes. The “ooohs” and “aahhss” are countless. Usually arranged in steps, some opt for odd number of steps and some houses are totally ruled by the dolls, ranging from one to several rooms.
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The New Town featuring malls, apartments and cafes
This navratri was all about Mangalore Dasara for me and I had decided to write about Bombehabba only next year…but when I saw the beautiful Bombehabba at Sankalpa, I HAD to write about it…let me show you all that I saw.

The Pattda gombe – Also called Pattath Bommaikal or Marapacchi bommai, they are the main dolls, depicting the husband and the wife. Given to the bride by her parents, they are the first of her collection of dolls to be displayed at Dasara. Made of teakwood, rosewood or sandalwood, they are dressed and decorated in silk and accessories. Alongside the Pattada gombe, a wedding ceremony is also featured here.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Pattada Gombe
The Pattada Gombe decked up in jewellery and silks
Goddess Saraswathi – She is the inspiration, the centre and being of Vidya or learning. Children are seen at her feet, bowing to her in humility and prayer.

Ma Durga – Riding the tiger, she is the epitome of courage, bravery and will.

Gowri and Goddess Lakshmi look resplendent and complete the Devi in all her forms. The Goddess is the epitome of compassion, learning, courage, goodwill and wealth. The Navanayikas, the Ashtalakshmi are all symbolic of her benevolence.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Navanayikas
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Saraswathi Puja is an important aspect of the display
Krishna – many of Lord Krishna’s Bala Leelas are depicted at the Bombehabba at Sankalpa. The Benne Krishna, trying to steal butter, the scene of the Govardhan mountain being lifted by Krishna with just his little finger, Krishna eating butter are some of the depictions that are very popular with the kids. Instead of us telling them about it, they will be the ones to educate us on these pranks. Krishna’s marriage to Rukmini and Rukmini Shringar are not to be missed. I especially loved the maid holding the mirror…Shrinivas Kalyana is also depicted with all the Gods and Godesses in attendance.
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Krishna and Balram stealing butter
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Krishna Rukmini wedding ceremony
The couple selling provisions – I loved the small vessels around them with the chillies, spices, grains and grams. The vessels in sandstone, brass and copper are truly appealing.
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Vessels in different materials
Prahlad Pattabhisheka – Prahlad, the king who brought back happiness to his kingdom, who replaced the evil with the good and who set a new benchmark for devotion.

Kumbhakarna and Bakasura – with all the tasty snacks before them captured the attention of the kids and then it was all about them and their stories.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Kumbhakarna being woken up
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Prahlad Pattabhisheka attended by the Gods and Goddesses
Ram and Hanuman – Hanuman bringing the sanjeevni and the monkeys building the Rama Setuve needed some elaboration. Miss A has a question…”If I write Shree Ram on a rock, will it float? Then we could also go to Srilanka! What fun!” Well….I wish.

Village life – The scenes from a village are beautifully translated in this Bombehabba at Sankalpa. The grinding stone immediately transported me back to my childhood home. When I used it for the first time, what pride I felt! The first masala ground by me maybe when I was 10 or so..
Not because I had to do it, but because I wanted to!

The Harvesting season and Pongal– I loved the simple yet effective way of bringing the reason and the celebration together. The many stages of growing our food are all seen here.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Grinding stone
Stories I say – Stories are an all time favourite with kids and everyone else as well. The lion and the mouse, the thirsty crow, the cunning fox, the crocodile and the monkey are all there waiting for you at the gombehabba at Sankalpa.

The star of the show- is definitely the Mysore palace and the Dasara Procession. Including the ambaari, the cultural extravaganza and the band leading the way, it’s amazing. The view from the archway is awesome, right up to the palace. Flanked by the zoo on one side and a park on the other, it gives us a glimpse of the festivities around Dasara. The lions, Ms. Jyothi Chetan tells me, are inherited by her and are more than a hundred years old!

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The beautiful display of dolls during the Dasara Festival.
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Dasara proccession
The Kondapalli toys were looking majestic and I have decided the minute I go off my ‘no shopping phase’ Iam going to buy some for myself…ok not some but at least a pair!

The School – complete with the building (a DIY made of chart paper), the teacher, students with benches and desks, a blackboard and a fan! Most apt when the Bombehabba is at Sankalpa Montessori School.

The Town – The cityscape is depicted with high rise buildings, quaint houses ( a DIY of paper cups), channapatna toys, vehicles, roads with humps and bumps( the speed breakers), the streetlights and vehicles. The cute chairs and tables in plastic, the malai kulfi seller, the play area for kids are all super cute.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The school with the teacher and students
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Kondapalli toys
When I visited, I couldn’t resist asking the visitors about their favourite doll in the display…Check out the video on that.
All in all, a wonderful team effort to showcase the gombehabba at Sankalpa in its full glory. Kudos to Ms. Jyothi Chethan and her wonderful team.
Bombehabba at Sankalpa

The team at Sankalpa headed by Ms. Jyothi Chetan

Lots of Twinkles to all of you.

May the festivities continue to bring light and goodwill in our lives.

Anupama.

PS- If you miss it this year, no worries. You can always take this as an inspiration and have one of your own next year. Don’t forget to send me pictures though.

Swarna Jewellers – The Goddess Beckons

Swarna Jewellers – The Goddess Beckons

This season is all about the Goddess and her different forms. And I am all inspired by the Devi. Celebrating all that is feminine, I wanted to do a blog post on jewellery featuring the Goddess. As I was thinking of approaching a jewellery house, I could only think of Swarna Jewellers. Reasons were many. It is not just the BIS mark which is the hallmark of good quality but more importantly, it is a matter of trust and the bonds formed. Swarna Jewellers have always believed in forging bonds with their customers, with excellent service and customized designs.

Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Beautiful combination of pearls, pink stones and Lakshmi
Swarna Jewellers have their own team of expert craftsmen who bring these designs to their customers, working on them at their production unit ‘Swarnodyama’. Swarna Jewellers was established in 1964 by the Late Gujjadi Narasimha Nayak and the legacy has been passed on to the family. All their branches are managed by the family, which gives it the distinctive touch of a family owned business with traditional values and modern outlook. Having traditional and contemporary designs, I was spoilt for choice. I decided to go with the theme of Devi and love it that I got the opportunity to present my readers with the different designs featuring the Goddess and all that is divine.
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Devi
Just as the Lotus rises above the murky water with its pristine beauty intact and unblemished, the Goddess calls to us to rise above our ego and reach the divine state of self realization. It is the Lotus, which is divine that inspires divinity. The Goddess Mahalakshmi sits in a pink lotus in full bloom and also has it in her right hand. She is the Goddess of good fortune and wealth. Ma Durga, the Goddess of power is adorned with a garland of lotus. Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped for wisdom and her divine seat is the white lotus. Lotus has a divine significance not just in Hinduisim but also in Buddhism. The Lotus is purity, spiritual awakening and rising in divinity. Swarna Jewellers have many beautiful pieces with the Lotus as inspiration.
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Inspired by the Lotus
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- The Lotus and Lakshmi
Saraswathi is the one who leads to the essence of self knowledge…She is the Goddess of knowledge, music, wisdom and learning. Raja Ravi Verma’s painting comes to mind, whenever we think of Goddess Saraswathi. The Veena is her musical instrument and she is the muse of the artist. Swarna Jewellers have translated this Goddess of wisdom to Gold with designs inspired by traditional features.
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Saraswathi with the Veena
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers – Intricate designs with the peacock
The Ashtalakshmi are the eight forms of Mahalakshmi symbolizing the eight forms of wealth. Wealth is not just money or riches, but also good health, progeny, abundance, knowledge, strength and power. Ashtalakshmi is popularly depicted on Kalashas (the urn used to water the holy basil and in Puja) in silver which is an integral part of any household. At Swarna Jewellers, the Ashtalakshmi is seen on this waistband in solid gold.
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers – Ashtalakshmi
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Jhumkas in antique finish
Using antique dyes, there were many pieces in antique to tempt me. I especially loved the beautiful Jhumkas with Lakshmi, the parrots and the peacocks which have a special significance in our Vedas.
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Parrots and pearls
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- A small budget but a class apart.
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Jhumkas in antique finish
The handmade Nakasu work with Siva’s family being lifted by Ravana was one piece I couldn’t resist in this post. The beauty and intricacy of the work is mind blowing. Gold as such needs no introduction, but this piece is truly marvelous.
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Ravana in the service of Eeshwar’s family
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers- Intricate Nakasu work
Swarna Jewellers have their branches in Mangaluru, Udupi, Hubballi, Sirsi, Dharwad and Bengaluru (Click here for the address). Swarnodyama, the production centre provides a platform to the creativity of their designers and craftsmen. In fact, they also promoted and helped Manipal institute create a Jewellery Design and management course. Motivated by excellence and traditional values, they have also crafted jewellery for the GSB Seva Mandal Ganapathi with no profit margin. When I spoke to Ajay Gujjadi at their Mangaluru branch, he said that it was an act of service and not business. They also specialize in temple art and jewellery.
Swarna Jewellers
Swarna Jewellers -The traditional Mishri in a contemporary design. With a screw it can also be used as a waistband for kids
Though I am in a ‘no shopping’ phase, a girl can always dream and plan. So this festive season I have earmarked the designs I loved and have made plans to make these my very own. The ‘Swarna Sanchaya’ scheme is just the thing for me. I get to fix the amount for a monthly investment for ten months and have to buy the jewellery by the twelveth month. The best part is that I can pay the monthly amount on any day of the month and the gold rate of that particular day is considered for the purchase. So it works quite like an SIP and the prize is my favourite piece of jew ellery. Yippee!!

This festive season if jewellery shopping is on your agenda, do check out their designs.

Lots of Twinkles to all of you.

Happy Festival!

Anupama

PS- This is a sponsored post but the opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.