ABOUT RANGOLI

Rangoli originates from Hindu Mythology. According to “Chithralakshana” Rangoli was first created when the son of a high priest died, causing sadness throughout an ancient kingdom. Seeing this sadness, lord Brahma the creator of the Universe, commanded the king to draw a painting of the boy on the floor so that he could breathe life into him once again. According to Hindu mythology, this started the tradition of painting Rangoli’s for special circumstances.

In the Epic Ramayana it is mentioned that the people in the kingdom welcomed lord Rama back after his fourteen - year’s exile in the forest by painting Rangoli designs outside their homes. Hindu family’s continue to honor this tradition today.

Rangoli is a timeless tradition that is followed all over India. The word “Rangoli” drives from Sanskrit, and it means “Design in color”.

Rangoli is originated from two words rang which means colors and holi which means celebration. So Rangoli is an Artistic Celebration of colors. It is done at the entrance of households or a temple on auspicious occasions, the colorful patterns on the doorsteps are not just for decorative purpose; embody a deep religious spirit too.

Purpose of Rangoli is not merely decorative. Rangoli drawing has several social, spiritual and symbolic meanings attached to it. Those who practice this believe that drawing Rangoli purifies the entrance space and this in turn will invite goddess of wealth Laxmi to enter the house, and drives away the evil spirits. This believes would give the inmates all wealth and prosperity. Calming effect on a guests who is just about to enter into the house, into vibrations (Brainwaves) in the people mind, putting him at ease,  making them comfortable and happy.

Traditional Rangoli’s were made of Rice powder and with time, people started using variety of white powders. Many are not aware of the principle of “VASUDAIVA KUTUMBAKAM” in Santana Dharma (Hinduism) meaning the “whole world is one big family,” and the concept of “LIVE AND LET LIVE”.

The reason why we used rice powder was to feed birds, insects and the other lives that thrive in the soil.

In some part of India, it is a daily ritual for the ladies of the house to make “Rangoli’s”. They Sprinkle fresh cow dung on the recently swept ground and executed the designs with white Rice powder. As well as inaugurating the day, it is also seen as offering to the earth we live on.

Different names of Rangoli in Different states of India:-

Tamil Nadu  - KOLAM

Karnataka       - RANGOLI

Kerala          -  KALAM

Maharastra   -  RANGAVALLI

Bengal          -  ALPANA

Orissa           -  THUNTI

Bihar            - ARIPAN

Rajasthan     - MANDANA

Not just in names, the designs also vary as per the region. In Tamil Nadu at the crack of dawn and even towards evening, women Sprinkle the portals of their home with water and draw beautiful Kolam designs with rice powder. It is mostly a South Indian tradition Practiced widely in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Rangoli’s are also applied in the pooja room near the god and Lamp.

When this practice was started then there was no Television, lot of free spaces and time to spend in the house. Now flats and apartments are raised, so there is no space for drawing the Rangoli and people also running behind the time. So these Rangoli’s are reducing your stress, time management and also space also not much required.