Navaratra is a festival of dolls in India. In Dhaatu there is display of over 1400 sq ft of dolls with sizes ranging from 1inch to 11 feet depicting srishti (birth)- putting up the dolls, stithi ( being) the viewing and laya ( the end) removing . They are made up of different material like clay, ceramic, wood, metal or paper Mache. The dolls are arranged to depict stories from the epics. Thousands of people from around come to visit this event which is open for nearly a month to public from the second day of Navaratra.

Special wooden dolls which are known as the Gowri dolls of Karnataka are decorated to depict various scenes from the Epics. Over 50 scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata with painted backgrounds and dolls hand made at Dhaatu can be seen along with 30 scenes from Bhagavatha. This is in addition to the traditional doll steps and yearly themes. Astadikpalakas in wood and the Mahabharata vyuhas are the other special features.

Every evening, during Navaratra, cultural shows of dance, music and puppetry are put up. Stories are told and stotras are taught to children from 3 to 4 pm during this time. Schools can schedule and bring children to see the dolls when they reopen after the Dussera vacations.