Add colour to festival of lights with Rangoli this Diwali

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Dr. Lalit kishore

01 November, 2010

Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit words 'deep' and 'aavalli' that refer to a row of diyas or earthen lamps. Diwali is festival of lights and colours and without rangoli, that adds colours to it, the festival seems incomplete.

RANGOLI IS an ancient Indian art of making colourful patterns and design with colour powder or rice flour on the floor at the entrance of one’s home or in the courtyard. It is said that the word ‘rangoli’ is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘rang’ and ‘aavalli’ that refer to a row of colours.

Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘deep’ and ‘aavalli’ that refer to a row of diyas or earthen lamps. Diwali is festival of lights and colours and without rangoli, that adds colours to it, the festival seems incomplete.

Rangoli is popular throughout India though known by different names. Rangoli is known as Kolam in South India, in Rajasthan it is called Madana, in Northern India it is known as Chowkpurna, and Alpana and Aripana in Bengal and Bihar respectively.

Rangoli can be made on any occasion and festivals in India but it is used most widely on Diwali as a symbol of welcome. Rangolis are aimed to welcome Goddess Laxmi to our homes to procure her blessing to help us during trying periods in the year ahead.

During Diwali, women get up early in the morning, have bath and get dressed up to make rangolis at the entrance of their houses to appease Goddess Laxmi and welcome her.

Another interesting and important feature of rangoli are the footprints of Goddess Laxmi that are drawn on both sides of our main door to signify the entry of the Goddess at home.