Green Golu at Organo Antharam

Bommala Koluvu, also known as "Golu" in some regions, is a traditional display of dolls and figurines arranged in tiers during festivals like Navaratri, primarily in the southern states of India such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The term "Bommala Koluvu" in Telugu literally means a "court of dolls," and the practice has deep cultural, religious, and social significance. As part of the tradition and to celebrate festive season, Organo Et school organised a “Green Golu” at Antharam from 3rd October to 12^th October 2024.

This year, the “Green Golu” had a display of around 55 local/ native plants arranged with traditional Kondapalli dolls. A QR code was generated and shared to the visitors to understand and learn about the plants displayed in golu.  

To celebrate the nine day festival, the team prepared different traditional dishes like groundnut & jaggery ladoo, medu vada, semiya payasam, boorelu, coconut rice, coconut sweet, pongal, Tamarind rice etc.

Here are a few commonly used medicinal plants that were displayed in a Green Golu, along with their significance:

• Tulsi (Holy Basil): Enhances immunity, reduces stress, and has antibacterial properties.
• Neem: Used for skin care, detoxification, and purification.
• Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, used in both cooking and medicinal applications.
• Peepal tree:Used in gastric problems and  inflammatory disorders.
• Mango tree:Used to relief from hiccups and infections of the throat.

Significance of plants in Bommala Koluvu

1. Connecting Ancient Wisdom with Modern Health Awareness: Showing medicinal plants in the Koluvu is a way to honour and revive the wisdom of ancient healing systems like Ayurveda.
2. Teaching Children About Natural Remedies: The inclusion of medicinal plants provides an educational opportunity for children to learn about the benefits of nature, how plants are used in traditional medicine, and the importance of living in harmony with the environment
3. Promoting Sustainability and Environmental Awareness: Using medicinal plants in the Koluvu display also promotes a message of sustainability. It encourages people to grow and maintain these plants in their homes, supporting eco-friendly practices and the conservation of traditional plant species that have been used for generations.
4. Enhancing the Spiritual and Aesthetic Appeal: Medicinal plants bring a natural and refreshing aesthetics to the Koluvu. Their greenery and unique textures add a calming, serene effect, which lines with the spiritual themes of the festival. Many of these plants, such as Tulsi, Marigold, etc are also used in religious offerings and prayers, thereby deepening the spiritual aspect of the display.
   
   
   

Display of plants in Bommala Koluvu offers a rich match of spiritual, cultural, and health-related symbolism. It fosters an appreciation for nature's role in maintaining health and well-being while also promoting traditional knowledge. By integrating plants, families can create a Koluvu display that not only celebrates tradition but also encourages sustainable living and a healthy lifestyle.

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Experiential learning with plants enables learners to develop a holistic understanding of botany, sustainability, and conservation of nature. It encourages both scientific thinking and creativity, making learning about plants an enriching experience for people of all ages. As part of the experiential learning, one can touch, feel, smell and learn about the various shapes of leaves, colours and formation of petals, uniqueness of the plants that are displayed in the golu. Every year, one new plant will be added in the golu for an exciting way to keep the tradition alive.
Scan below to know more about the 55 species of plants at green golu.

About Organo Et School (OES)‍

‍Organo Et School empowers people to embrace eco-living mindsets, behaviors, and habits. We recognize that for any positive impact to be sustainable, it must be long-term and inter-generational.

Organo Et School is a learning initiative set up by Organo in 2017 and has been facilitating field visits and workshops for Schools and Interest Groups. Organo Et School, an experiential learning initiative by Organo since 2017, has impacted over 8000 students, 2000 adults, 1250 community residents, and 500 corporate employees.

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