The Navratri dolls are interesting. They can teach you a lot. Here is one such mythological story that golu dolls depicted this year at Dhaatu.
Navratri dolls have often depicted stories. Ramayana and Mahabharata scenes are quite common and are kept during Dasara times. Here at Dhaatu centre this year, it was also about Krishna. The image above shows the various antics of Krishna.
The main stories in Krishna Leela are depicted here. The birth of Krishna, the childhood Leelas of Krishna,his youthful Leelas at Brindavan, slaying of Kamsa etc are some the stories retold in these colourful panels. It is one wonderful way of introducing Krishna story to children isn’t it?
The panels bring to life birth and miracles of Krishna. Here are some of the stories that were shown at the center.
Birth of Krishna in prison, and miraculously carried across the Yamuna to Gokul by his father Vasudeva, Krishna’s early years are all showcased vividly.
Next comes his childhood Leelas. Krishna playing with friends in the forest, killing demons like Putana, Trinavarta, Vatsasura, Bakasura, Aghasura, and Pralambasura, dancing on Kaliya the serpent, lifting Govardhan Hill, stealing butter and playing the flute are some of the antics of Krishna in Gokul.
The youthful Leelas of Krishna include the Rasa Leela with Radha and the gopis and then leaving Vrindavan to slay Kamsa in Mathura. The image above shows the story of Krishna and the intoxicated elephant Kuvalayapida. This event takes place when Krishna has grown up and arrives in Mathura to confront King Kamsa — the tyrant uncle who had tried to kill him since birth. Kamsa ordered his guards to release his giant elephant Kuvalayapida, drunk and furious, at the palace gate to block their way. Krishna defeats him and later walks calmly into the wrestling arena, where Kamsa had arranged further tests.
Two of Kamsa’s strongest wrestlers — Chanura and Mushtika — step forward. They are huge, trained warriors, while Krishna and Balarama appear as young, unarmed cowherd boys.
Krishna wrestles Chanura, while Balarama fights Mushtika. After this it is Kamsa’s turn to see defeat. Krishna faced his uncle Kamsa, who had ruled with fear. With courage and calmness, he ended Kamsa’s cruelty and freed his parents.
There are other stories too like Krishna getting the parijata tree from heavens, his Mahabharata scenes etc.
A visit to this place during the festivities is a good way to bring stories to life and make family time more educational not to mention fun.
What do you think?
Not just Mathura scenes, there are other stories from Dwaraka period too. The picture above belongs to Krishna’s Dwaraka period — the story of Parijata tree. Krishna defeats Indra and brings the Parijata tree to Earth, for Satyabhama.
From baby Krishna to wise Krishna, every leela teaches something — courage, joy, love, or truth. Some of these lovely scenes get depicted during Navratri and teach the children moral stories. So enjoy the dolls, enjoy the conversations with your family and enjoy the festive moments in Dasara by visiting a golu exhibit.