This Navratri, See How ‘Golu Dolls’ Come Alive in Madurai Temple

The Meenakshi temple in Madurai is a prime example of a South Indian temple. It's one of the most beautiful temples in the world. The current structure was built around the early 1600s, but the temple itself is more than 2,500 years old.

It has over 30,000 sculptures, but during Navratri, it is the thousands upon thousands of ‘Golu’ dolls that people from all over the world come to see.

It is said that literally everything you can imagine can be found in a doll avatar here. While new dolls are added each year, many of them are over 200 years old.

And they come alive on Navratri. Don't believe us, check out these Cinemagraphs!

Gol, gol duniya!

#GoluKatThis Madurai, 2,500 years ago, and then as the temple city. Golu is getting funkier by the year!

A video posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:14am PDT

#SpreadTheLight

#GoluKatThis The Golu Pandal at Meenakshi Temple.

A photo posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Oct 10, 2016 at 4:50am PDT

Stairway to heaven!

'The Inward Way' Meenakshi Amman Temple. From long ago.

A photo posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Aug 7, 2016 at 2:37am PDT

Despite the crowd, one can always find solitude

Sanctum, Shadow and Light. #WorldPhotographyDay

A photo posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Aug 19, 2016 at 1:06pm PDT

Doll up!

'Kuttram Kuttrame!' The scene from a divine play immortalised on celluloid by Sivaji Ganesan and Nagesh.

A photo posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:29am PDT

God bless!

The different forms of the Goddess.

A photo posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:34am PDT

Lord Shiva as the sow, suckling the piglets of a demon He had to kill, and in other awesome roles!

A photo posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:38am PDT

Stay calm and pray on!

Mystic lighting at the Meenakshi Temple.

A photo posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:40am PDT

Transcendental gastronomy! Happy Dussehra!

All's well that ends well. Ah! Transcendental gastronomy! Happy Dussera!

A photo posted by Vikram V (@vyckram) on Oct 10, 2016 at 5:44am PDT