The Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava doll display is one of the two major festivals conducted by Dhaatu. The Navaratra festival dates back to the Rig-vedic period with add-ons in the Epic Period. One finds reference to this festival in the works of Vatsyayana in the 6th century. Later we see its glory in the Vijayanagara period and a continuity with the Wodeyar reign in old Mysore.  At Dhaatu, apart from the traditional main steps of dolls we have a vast collection of over 10,000 dolls from all over the  world displayed theme-wise with stories of the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Krishna Leela, Bhagavata, Shiva Purana, Scenes from indian villages and temple towns, scenes of the ghats of Kashi, scenes of lifestyle and cultural activities of India, scenes of Europe, Disneyland etc. The main stage of the display of the traditional Karnataka gowri-dolls has a different theme every year. There are also specially crafted dolls from the Kinhala region of Karnataka on display with themes of Ashtadikpalakas and a merry-go-round of the dashavataras . Another special feature in the Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava is the different Vyuha formations as described in the Kurukshetra War of the Mahabharata. Apart from this there are several other displays that are new every year. The collection has grown over many generations as is open for viewing to the public every year during the festival (from the Padya of Navaratra until Deepavali) with over 10,000 visitors each year.