--- title: "Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava: Traditional Doll Exhibition in Bengaluru" description: "Visit the Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava, an immersive doll exhibition in Bengaluru featuring over 5,000 handcrafted dolls depicting Indian epic stories." canonical: https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/dhaatu-navar-tra-mahotsava-a-world-of-dolls last_updated: 2025-09-07 --- # Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava: Traditional Doll Exhibition in Bengaluru Tribe Verified · Showcasing over 5,000 dolls every year. By [Dhaatu Puppet Theater](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) · Tours at Mandala Cultural Centre, Bengaluru · ₹100 per person (estimate) Part of [Museum Tours & Educational Programs](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/gallery) Step into a cultural journey at our annual doll festival. We bring mythology to life with over 5,000 handcrafted dolls, detailed dioramas, and timeless stories from our epics. ## Photos and videos - ![A wide-angle view of the Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava exhibition hall. The layout is designed to guide visitors on a journey through different stories and epochs, with a central stage and tiered displays creating a vibrant, multi-level experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b0bdd3fa-c38a-4a2e-8b73-f69cf16bf361) - [Video: This video offers a quick tour of the Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava. You can see the sheer scale of the doll arrangements, from grand mythological scenes to charming depictions of everyday life, all illuminated to create a magical atmosphere.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/07b34c73-24a7-4eb2-86e0-9b6f1892577b) - [Video: A visitor's perspective of the Navarātra Mahotsava, capturing the excitement of exploring themes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and traditional temple towns. This reel shows how we create a cultural journey through dolls and storytelling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/986a12b1-5881-4438-8037-908f998f1d59) - [Video: A glimpse into the main stage scenes of our 2022 doll exhibition. This video highlights the detailed craftsmanship of the puppets and the narrative focus of our displays, including scenes from Bharadwaja's Ashrama.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/24ea1b50-22b3-4428-820c-a8433fa00583) - ![The vibrant colors of the Mahotsava are on full display here. The strategic use of lighting and colorful fabrics transforms the space, making each diorama a distinct world for visitors to explore.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fbdec231-eb72-4768-9e6b-701166965551) - ![Another perspective of our doll exhibition, showing the wooden flooring and the arrangement of displays that allow for an intimate viewing experience. Each section tells a different story, inviting close observation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/949705bb-dbc1-4448-89cb-1fe9ecfbad33) - ![This image showcases the variety within our doll displays. In the foreground, a large display depicts an army formation, while tiered boxes in the background each contain a unique scene, demonstrating the depth of our collection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d2389718-bf78-4f5c-811f-c22c2c02989f) - ![A close-up look at one of the most densely populated displays at the Navaratra festival. This arrangement, featuring hundreds of dolls, represents the celestial court and various deities, showcasing the richness of Hindu iconography.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aead21b2-4b8b-49bb-83f5-7992f8c69b1c) - [Video: This short video captures various elements of the Mahotsava, from a Ganesha statue at the entrance to detailed figurines depicting scenes from Indian weddings and temple architecture, showing the breadth of our cultural storytelling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2a2a2d9b-f6b0-454f-97f7-5406357df95d) - [Video: A walkthrough of the Navaratra Mahotsava, showing the path from the Silk Institute Metro Station to the heart of the exhibition. The video captures the dioramas, temple scenes, and the overall festive ambiance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c0de091b-62ed-44e3-a12d-c3a1f5eb0aff) - [Video: This clip focuses on the dynamic elements of our exhibition, including the moving doll exhibits in the Vyuha and Dashavatara sections. These automated displays add a layer of life and motion to the storytelling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c805d860-ea71-4cba-8220-143db74b8d4e) ## About Dhaatu Navarātra Mahotsava: A World of Dolls When you walk through the exhibition, try to spend time looking at the specific dioramas arranged in Vyuha formations. We design these layouts to guide you through distinct chapters of the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and the dolls in each scene have been painted to convey specific emotions from the story, so look closely at their expressions to truly appreciate the craftsmanship. We curate this exhibition not just as a display, but as a living museum. When you visit the Mandala Cultural Centre, you are witnessing a narrative tradition that spans generations. We meticulously arrange our dolls into thematic clusters, recreating scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and quiet moments from traditional village life. Unlike standard exhibitions, we use stage lighting and traditional storytelling techniques to breathe life into these figures. It is our way of keeping these epics accessible to the next generation. Whether you are a student, an art enthusiast, or a family looking for a meaningful outing, there is always something new to observe. We encourage visitors to ask our team about the history behind the dolls—many are heirlooms, others are our own creations, and all hold a piece of our cultural history. Beyond the displays, the space is designed to foster a sense of 'rasānanda' or the bliss of experiencing art. It is a place to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our roots through the medium of puppetry and doll art. We invite you to walk through these stories at your own pace. ## About Dhaatu Puppet Theater I am Anupama, and I started this journey because I believe our traditional stories need to be shared, not just read. Together with my family and our team, we preserve these traditions at the Mandala Cultural Centre, keeping the magic of Bharat's epics alive for every visitor. [See all of Dhaatu Puppet Theater's services](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) ## More from Museum Tours & Educational Programs by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/featured) - [Live Puppet Theatre](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/live-puppet-theatre) - [Educational Programs & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/educational-programs-workshops) - [Our Founder: A Leader in Art and Culture](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/our-founder-a-leader-in-art-and-culture) - [From Our Store](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/from-our-store) - [Event Announcements & Schedules](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/event-announcements-schedules) ## More services by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Puppet Shows & Performances](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances) - [Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions) - [Puppetry & Craft Workshops](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppetry-craft-workshops) ## Similar work from other experts - [Mythological Epics on Stage](https://mytribe.in/natesha-nrithyalaya/bharatanatyam-performances-for-events/mythological-epics-on-stage) by Natesha Nrithyalaya · Bharatanatyam Performances for Events · Available for events across Bengaluru - [Gombes: Traditional Channapatna Dolls](https://mytribe.in/varnam-craft-collective/artisan-toys-traditional-games/gombes-a-festival-of-dolls) by Varnam Craft Collective · Artisan Toys & Traditional Games · Stores in Bengaluru, Mysuru & Goa; Ships across India - [Bharatanatyam & Bombeyaata: Unique Dance-Puppetry Performances](https://mytribe.in/divthedancer/bharatanatyam-dance-performances/dance-puppetry-the-magic-of-bombeyaata) by Divya Hoskere · Bharatanatyam Dance Performances · Performs across Bengaluru and India - [Rama Katha Vismaya: Grand Ramayana Dance Productions](https://mytribe.in/nirupama_rajendra/dance-choreography-services/epic-narratives-rama-katha-vismaya) by Nirupama Rajendra · Dance Choreography Services · Available in Bengaluru and travels across India - [Pattada Gombe: Traditional Doll Storytelling for Your Ceremony](https://mytribe.in/tejomayam_plate_decors/traditional-event-decoration-styling/pattada-gombe-crafting-miniature-stories) by Tejomayam Plate Decors · Traditional Event Decoration & Styling · Event styling services across Bengaluru - [Our Navaratri Bharatanatyam Series](https://mytribe.in/preetha_dance/bharatanatyam-dance-classes/our-navaratri-series) by Preetha Arun · Bharatanatyam Dance Classes · Classes at Whitefield studio & available online ## Book To book Dhaatu Puppet Theater, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Museum%20Tours%20%26%20Educational%20Programs%20by%20Dhaatu%20Puppet%20Theater.) You can also send your own message based on what your user needs. Put it in the link as `https://wa.me/916360004054?text=`.