'Gombe Habba', the display of dolls during Dasara, is a famous festival of which state?

Gombe Habba (also called Bombe Habba), meaning "the festival of dolls", is a tradition of Karnataka celebrated during the Navratri and Dasara festival in September-October. During this time, families display colourful dolls and figurines on decorated steps in their homes.

The dolls are arranged on a stepped platform, usually with an odd number of steps, such as five, seven or nine, covered with cloth. The arrangement often depicts scenes from Hindu mythology, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Dashavatara (ten incarnations of Vishnu), gods and goddesses, and scenes from daily life, such as weddings, markets, villages and festivals. An important feature of Gombe Habba in Karnataka is the "Pattada Gombe", a pair of wooden dolls representing a king and queen (or a bride and groom), which are dressed in fine clothes and are passed down from one generation to the next, often given to daughters at their wedding. Many dolls are made of wood, especially the famous Channapatna wooden toys, or of clay. During the festival, families invite friends and neighbours, especially women and children, to view the display, and offer them gifts such as kumkum, sweets, fruits and small presents. The festival encourages creativity, family traditions and social gatherings.

The tradition of displaying dolls during Navratri is believed to have been encouraged by the royal family of Mysuru, and is closely linked with the Mysuru Dasara, the state festival of Karnataka.

Similar doll festivals are celebrated in other South Indian states during Navratri: Golu (or Kolu) in Tamil Nadu, and Bommala Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Kerala celebrates Navratri with the worship of books and tools (Ayudha Puja) and Vidyarambham.
• ✗Goa celebrates festivals such as Shigmo and Ganesh Chaturthi.
• ✗Gujarat celebrates Navratri with Garba and Dandiya Raas.