'Rangoli' can be best described as a traditional Indian form of floor painting made in and around homes, places of worship and public celebrations as a means of decorating these places on special occasions. It represents an age old tradition, carried on by the households, where rangoli is prepared on most festivals, usually by the ladies and the girls, though there is nothing to stop a male member who wishes to contribute. Diwali is also one such occasion, when rangoli can be seen in many homes as part of home decoration and festivities. Amritsar Tours

Rangoli is usually made of powdered substances like rice or wheat flour easily available in households, which is then colored using natural dyes like indigo, turmeric and other vegetarian products. People who take it more seriously, often use sawdust, whose coarse texture increases the scope for creativity and allows a three dimensional appearance. The usual designs and shapes are taken from ordinary geometric figures like triangles, circles, stars and the like or nature like birds, flowers, animals etc. The more colorful design requires more effort, and large colorful rangolis often taken a few hours to make.

Rangoli is called by different names in different regions in India. It is called 'Alpana' or 'Aripana' in Eastern region of Bengal and Bihar. In the Western part is often referred to as Rangoli, while in South India, it is also known as 'Kolam' or 'Muggu'. The designs and colors as well as materials used also differ from place to place. In some homes, especially in North India, rangoli is prepared in a very simple way by using turmeric paste alone (as yellow paint) or mixed with lime (as red colored paint) to draw the ancient religious symbols like 'Om' (a symbol for god) and swastika (another ancient Indian symbol also associated with other ancient civilizations, also used by Nazi who associated it with Aryan race).

Typically, a rangoli is prepared at the place of worship on the day of Diwali. Many people place 'deepaks' or earthen lamps filled with oil on these rangolis at the time of worship. During the religious ceremony, these earthen lamps are lit while chanting prayers and then taken to different parts of the house and terrace. In such cases, rangoli is used to mark the place as a place of worship.    Eastern Gateway of Rajasthan

While for most people, it is a traditional ritual, there are many for whom it is another occasion for expressing their creativity. People use innovations like forming a rangoli of colored sawdust that floats on water and gives a three dimensional effect, often used along with floating candles. Others concentrate on modern designs and figures, many a times abstracts of Lord Ganesh and Lakshmi, who are traditionally worshipped on Diwali.

Rangoli making on Diwali has been going on in India for many thousand years. It is folk art preserved in tradition and its practice has not been adversely affected by the modern strides of science and cultural amalgamation that has destroyed many other forms of traditional and folk artistry. At least, not yet!


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