Coinciding with Navarathri, the tradition of Gombe Habba (doll festival) transforms homes across Vijayapura into miniature museums of mythology and creativity. This centuries-old Karnataka tradition sees families, particularly women and children, arranging elaborate displays of dolls depicting scenes from Hindu epics, historical events, and contemporary themes.
Families across various neighborhoods open their homes to visitors during the festival, showcasing collections that have been passed down through generations. The displays often feature themes related to mythology, history, and local culture, including depictions of Vijayapura’s monuments.
The social aspect of Gombe Habba is as important as its artistic merit. Neighbors visit each other’s displays, sharing stories behind the arrangements while children learn about mythology and history through visual storytelling. According to local tradition, odd numbers of steps (usually seven or nine) are used for the doll displays, each level representing different realms of existence.
Gombe Habba preserves cultural narratives in an accessible way. These displays make ancient stories vivid and memorable for children, serving as effective means of cultural transmission across generations.