Rangoli, also known as Kolam, is a traditional art form of India, which precedes the ancient arts of sculpture and painting. The term “Rangoli” is derived from the Sanskrit word, “Rangavalli”. In this art, patterns are created on the floor of living rooms and in courtyards using materials like coloured rice or sand, red brick powder or dry flour. Floral Rangolis are created using flowers and their petals. Chemical colours are the latest addition for creating these patterns.

It is believed to have originated from the Indian state of Maharashtra and later spread all over the country. Elaborate rangoli patterns and designs are an integral part of all religious rituals. They are usually drawn during Indian festivals like Onam, Pongal, Diwali and other festivals.

Underlying Philosophy

Generally Rangolis are a symbol of welcome to the Hindu Gods, It is believed that Gods enter places where rangolis are drawn. Though they add to the aesthetics, they are mainly believed to bring in prosperity and luck. Alternatively, it is also believed that a rangoli guards the house and prevents evil spirits from entering in.

Rangolis have been an art form exclusively for women throughout the ages. They are elaborately drawn on special events like festivals, marriages, auspicious functions and other celebrations.

The two main purposes of creating Rangolis are to invoke spirituality or auspiciousness and to create beautiful aesthetics. Even the designs of Rangoli are not merely superficial and have a deep meaning. A curved line brings about a better effect of beauty than a straight geometrical pattern.

History of Rangoli in Tamil Nadu

It is believed in Tamil Nadu that Lady Andal the staunch devotee of Lord Thirumal, married the Lord in the Tamil month of Marghazhi (December 15 – January 15). So during this month, it is a tradition for unmarried girls to rise before dawn break and create rangolis to welcome the Lord into the house. The art form was developed in the South during the reign of Chola kings. The designs are usually based on nature but sometimes they are also in the form of an abstract art.

There are instances in Hindu mythology where this art form is mentioned. In the Ramayana, it is mentioned that the wedding pavilion of Ram and Sita was decorated with Rangoli patterns.

Canvas for Rangoli/Where it is drawn?

It is usually drawn as elaborate and intricate patterns with a plethora of colours at the entrance of a house in the outer courtyard. It is a symbol of welcome to the Goddess Lakshmi, thereby bringing wealth, prosperity and happiness into the home.

Symbolic Representation

It is believed that the negativity that hangs in the air around a house gets entangled in the complex patterns of a rangoli. They ward off evils and prevent them from entering the house. This is the main reason for complicated and intricate designs. Rangolis also serve as an inspiration for positive thinking to help us lead a prosperous life.

Designs

The designs are numerous and vary from simple geometrical patterns, flowers or petals to highly complex deity impressions. There is no restriction on the size of a rangoli and it can vary anywhere from the size of a doormat to cover the entire room. Rangolis can also be drawn together by a large number of people. In ancient India, Rangoli was a family tradition and it was a way to bring for the whole family to spend time together. Whatever be the size of the design, Indian festivals like Diwali and Pongal are incomplete without a Rangoli. Also the patterns vary to reflect the traditions, practices and folklore unique to each area of India.

One important thumb rule of a rangoli design is that the entire pattern should be drawn in one stroke as an unbroken line. This is because it is believed that evil spirits can enter the house through gaps in the pattern.

Rangoli Artists/Who creates Rangolis?

Traditionally women create the Rangoli patterns at home. It is a freeform art and doesn’t require the help of geometrical devices like a ruler, thread, paint brush and so on. Women use only their fingers and rice powder, coloured chalk or crushed lime powder to create enchanting patterns. Rangolis are embellished with flowers, beads, grains or pulses. When done with expertise, Rangolis surpass the beauty of a spectacular painting.

The rangoli powder is a specially made coarse powder that flows freely. A pinch of this powder is taken between the index finger and thumb. The powder is slowly released as the hand moves to create the desired pattern.

Preparation for the Rangoli

The place where the Rangoli is to be created is cleaned thoroughly. It was a traditional practice to sweep and sprinkle cow dung on every doorstep. Once it dried, Rangolis were drawn on it. Today, Rangolis are drawn after the place is swept and sprinkled with water. Once the place is ready, the design is decided. Specific points are placed with the powder on the floor. Then these points are joined together to create the particular design.

Traditional Beliefs Behind Rangolis

Traditionally rangolis were created only using rice flour. The main reason for this is the principle, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, in “Sanatana Dharma”, which means “the whole world is one big family”. This is based on the value of “Live and Let Live”. The reason why our ancestors used rice flour was to provide food for ants, insects, worms, birds and other living beings that live in the soil.

The designs are passed from one generation to the next. This helped in preserving both the art form and the tradition.

Rangoli is created in different states of India with different names:

Tamil Nadu                     -           Kolam

Karnataka                        -           Rangoli

Kerala                                -           Golam, Kolam, Kalam

Andhra Pradesh            -           Muggu

Chattisgarh                     -           Chaookpurna

Uttar Pradesh                -           Chowk Pujan

Bihar                                  -           Aripana

West Bengal                   -           Alpana

Rangoli Powder

Traditionally rice flour was used as Rangoli powder. But now it is made by pounding a lustrous and breakable mineral (Shirgola) into a coarse powder. It is also made by burning the husks of rice to obtain a white ash that is used as Rangoli powder. This method is followed in the Konkan region that comprises parts of Maharashtra and Goa.

It is advisable to use eco-friendly colours that don’t harm your skin as well as the tiny guests who feast on your beautiful artwork.

Practice this traditional art form of India and welcome prosperity and good luck into your homes.

For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the country will get public holidays on Holi, Diwali and Easter after its parliament on Tuesday adopted a resolution to this effect.

The resolution, which was moved by lawmaker Dr.Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, was adopted by the National Assembly to take steps to declare the festivals as holidays for minorities.

According to The Tribune, the Pakistan government has agreed to accept the resolution.

No one really objected to the resolution, reported Dawn.

State Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Aminul Hasnat Shah said that the Interior Ministry has already given permission to heads of federal organisations, departments, and institutions to grant leave to minorities on their religious festivals.

While the Federal Minister for Laws and Justice Pervaiz Rashid said that the number of holidays in Pakistan are more than any other country, he didn't object to the resolution either.

The minister also said that all Pakistanis equally share each others joy and sorrow and there is no discrimination on the basis of religion and faith. "Every citizen is enjoying religious freedom," he said.

We are all governed by celestial forces and this makes it significant for us to get good Astrological guidance. At some point of time or the other everybody needs to be guided by a astrologer. Ever since the evolution of major civilizations we have been looking for signs and symbols towards the heavens. The birth of great rulers, prophets and saints was predicted through Astrology. At www.starstell.com we provide Vedic remedies in the form of Ganesh puja, Saraswati puja, sacred yantras. We also provide sacredly charged rudrakshas, gemstones and conduct poojas based on the horoscope.

According to Hindu mythology Lord Ganesha is the second son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. He is also the most worshipped god in India. Lord Ganesha is also the ruling deity of astrology. Ganesha pooja is conducted in almost every household before the commencement of any auspicious work. Ganesha Pooja plays a significant role in removing the hurdles in your path on auspicious occasions.

Ganesh Pooja is an imperative part of all major ceremonies and Lord Ganesha is worshipped in all kinds of Pooja before any other God or Goddess. Lord Ganesh shares the altar with Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. It is popular belief the Lord Ganesha is the god of wisdom and removes all obstacles in the path of attaining wealth Ganesh pooja helps one achieve a happy and prosperous life.

India is a land of festivals. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with fervor and gaiety. The festival is celebrated by young and old, rich and poor, throughout the country to dispel darkness and light up their lives. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity as every state celebrates it in its own special way.

The celebration of the four-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and concludes on Kartika Shudda Vijiya. The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama.

'Puranas' have it that Naraka, son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. He soon unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa, harassing celestial beings with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture.

But Naraka could not be easily killed as he had a boon that he would face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Satyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.

When Krishna feigns unconsciousness after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka, killing him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path. The message of Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds.

The second day is Amavasya when Lakshmi puja is performed. It is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi would be in her benevolent mood and fulfill the wishes of her devotees. One version says that it was on this day that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk) when the Gods and demons were churning the sagara (ocean) for nectar (Amrit)

The other version is that when Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vamana, sought three feet of land from the generous demon king Bali, the latter had to surrender his head as Vamana had conquered the earth and the sky in two strides. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the Pathala Loka (netherland) by keeping his third stride on Bali's head. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon and he in turn requests the Lord to guard his palace at Pathala Loka.

Meanwhile, the Goddess is unable to bear the separation and her grief affects the functioning of the entire universe. Brahma and Lord Shiva offer themselves as guards and plead with Bali to relieve Vishnu. So, on the Amavasya day, Lord Vishnu returns to his abode and Goddess Lakshmi is delighted. It is believed that those who worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day would be bestowed with all the riches.

The third day is "Kartika Shudda Padyami." On this day Bali would come out of Pathala Loka and rule Bhuloka as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as "Bali Padyami".

The fourth day is referred to as "Yama Dvitiya." On this day, sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

However, in the northern part of India it is celebrated as the return of Ram along with Sita and Lakshman from his 14 years of exile after killing Ravana. To commemorate his return to Ayodhya, his subjects illuminated the kingdom and burst crackers. For the Gujaratis, Marwaris and other business community Diwali marks the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and also the beginning of the new financial year.

For Bengalis, it is the time to worship Goddess Kali or Durga. The Goddess Durga continued her "Vilaya Tandava" even after killing demon Mahishasura.