Rangoli is an integral part in the dazzling celebrations of Diwali. The age-old tradition is a fascinating art which requires a high amount of meticulousness, artistic sense and creativity. Read on to know more about it. Click here to refer this page to your friends and relations and include them in the joyous festivity.
Diwali Celebrations Around The World
The tradition of Rangoli for Diwali goes back around 5000 years as a decorative folk art in India. Not only is it a beautiful way to decorate courtyards, floors and entrances of houses, but also has religious and cultural meanings. Rangoli art mainly serves the purpose to welcome the Hindu deities such as Lakshmi, to bring good luck, but it is also said to control the ants in people's houses. Traditionally done by women, the typical Rangoli designs have a round shape, but can be square or rectangular as well. First the outer Rangoli pattern is drawn on a flat, smooth surface (i.e. using sidewalk chalk). Later this line drawing can be filled with various powders of different colors. These powders can consist of colored rice grains, dry flour or fine sands. Instead of colored powders or sands, flowers or petals can be used as well (Flower Rangoli). Oil lamps (Diyas) are often placed inside the Rangolis. Professional Rangoli artists will not need any preparing line drawings, producing wonderful Rangoli pictures in just about 20-30 minutes from their memory without any form of help.
Amongst the various Rangoli patterns and designs, the most popular being Rangoli with flowers, petals, lotus blossom or having other simple geometric shapes. Rangolis often depict peacocks or Hindu deities such as Ganesha, Laxmi or Rama. Diya Lamps and religious symbols of Hinduism such as Swastika and Om can be found inside the Rangoli images as well. In many cities of India, Rangoli competitions take place around the time of Diwali.
In the state of Tamil Nadu in South-India where people celebrate 'Deepavali' rather than 'Diwali', the Rangoli is called 'Kolam'. Kolams are often described as not being as colorful as Rangoli, but the opposite can be true. Other Indian states use different names again (i.e. Pookkalam in Kerala during Onam).
