Rangoli is a popular form of art among Indian women for decorating Doorstep and Floor on any occasion. Rangoli are painted using rice powder, sometimes supplemented by flower petals and other colorful materials. Rangoli are typically painted during the Tamil month of Maarkazhi (between December 15th and January 15th).

Basically Rangoli art came from Maharashtra. India has own way of drawing Rangoli in its various states. On any special occasions like Deepavali, it is drawn in every home, in symbolic or non symbolic patterns.

Traditionally Rangolis are drawn out of colored sand or rice powder. A symbolic pattern or picture of Gods, Goddess, Dancers, Diyas etc. are drawn and colored with rice powder or sand. Spaces for diyas can be created within the rangoli design. Flower petals of different colors can be used to add that extra dimension to the pattern.

Rangoli Kolam Designs

Most of the patterns are circular indicative of the endlessness of time. The day-to-day Rangoli patterns are simple or intricate. The most common rangoli designs start with dots. They are connected to form lines then and other geometrical shapes or symbols such as swastika, om, stars, squares, circles, triangles etc.