Rangoli is considered to be an art in the Indian culture in which various patters are created on the floor of living rooms or house entrances with colors, flower petals or rice flour. It is usually made during festivals like Diwali, Pongal, Durga Puja and more. Rangoli is called by different names in different states of India. It is called Kolam in Tamil Nadu whereas in Andhra Pradesh, they call it Muggu. Thus, Rangoli has both cultural and religious significance. And the tradition of Rangoli has been going on since ages.

There is much more to Rangoli than only religious significance. Scientifically, these geometric shapes, lines, dots, etc. indicate some profound truths of the universe. Let us analyze reasons why Indians draw Rangoli:

• Screening out negativity: It is believed that Rangoli acts as an energy filter. Since they are created at door entrances and it’s the first thing that catches the attention of guests, they enter with a positive energy, leaving all the negativity behind. So it is always recommended to make the Rangoli as beautiful as possible so that it has a positive impact on the one who visits the house.

• Physical significance: When a Rangoli is made early in the morning, the woman of the house is required to bathe and clean the place where the Rangoli is to be made. Since all this cleanliness activity happens early in the morning, it has a purifying effect on ones soul. When a woman makes Rangoli in the morning, it has a spiritual and emotional balance throughout the day to carry out day-to-day activities.

On the religious front, Goddess Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, is considered to be attracted by colorful Rangolis. This is why it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings will follow where colorful Rangoli is made.

• Internal peace and harmony: Rangolis are believed to encourage peace inside a human mind and body, apart from encouraging peace and harmony among different elements of the universe. This is because of the symmetry in Rangoli designs. It is said that symmetry has a tremendous influence on the mind of a human being as well as on the elements of the universe. Even the movement of planets dwells on symmetry. Symmetric patterns have a pleasing influence as they soothe the energies in the mind and body. And this is why Rangoli is associated with mental peace and spiritual balance.

The significance of all Indian traditions is that of bringing harmony among the elements of nature and Rangoli is just one of these traditions. The white powder that is used for outlining is nothing but powdered rice that invites ants and insects and acts as a feast for them. This is a sign of coexistence and acceptance among different elements of nature. Moreover, once these ants and insects eat rice outside the house, they won’t enter the house. And this is precisely why traditional Rangolis were drawn outside every door of the house.