Importance of Rangoli during Diwali
Monday, November 1, 2021
Diwali, the Colour of Light has always been my favorite festival. It is one of the biggest and grandest festivals celebrated not only in India but also all over the world by the Indians. Diwali is a festival commemorated to mark joy, victory and harmony. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, falls during the month of October or November. Though a festival of Light, colour also play a big role in this festival. As a family from North East India, my mother and me were confused to see rangoli in front of the flats in our building here in Kuwait. We celebrate Diwali in Assam with lot of diyas , lights and cracking lot of firecrackers in the evening.
But we don’t decorate our entrances with rangoli. Slowly with our stay here in Kuwait, mingling with people from different parts of India,we understood its importance. Now even we decorate our entrance with rangoli . The word Rangoli is coined from two words, "Rang" and "Aavali" which means, row of colors. A rangoli design is created at the entrance of the house, not just to welcome the guests who visit, but also the Goddess herself. It is thus a welcoming gesture for guests during the festival. It’s also believed that making rangolis at the entrance brings positive energy and prevents evil from entering the home.
The design usually starts from a simple line or circle made from pencil or chalk. The design later is filled with different colors adding more beauty to the pattern. Rangoli in India is done in different ways, in different states. The patterns change, the mode of making changes and the idea of making rangoli also changes. However, the reason of making rangoli remains the same and a few basic designs, like making the Swastik and foot prints of Goddess Lakshmi on the four corners of the rangoli.
You can simply make a small design or even make a huge one based on your own choice. Usually, people make it small, almost the size of your door-mat kept at the entrance of your home. The pattern for the rangoli also varies based on the skill of the person making the rangoli and the time available. In Bihar, people draw the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi on the doorsteps of their homes, while in Andhra Pradesh people draw rangolis with the 8 petal lotus patterns. This is called as Ashtadal Kamal.
Similarly, in Tamilnadu, people draw the 8 pointed star, called the Hridaya Kalam, which means Lotus of the Heart. Design depictions may also vary as they reflect traditions, folklore and practices that are unique to each area. The design of the rangoli doesn't matter much, but what really matters is the presence of a rangoli in your house during Diwali. I try to make different patterns every year. It is such an excited feeling and sitting for hours doing the rangoli does not matter at all. It is all fun and decorating the entrance with a rangoli is a tradition that will be always followed in the future.
Thus the Festival of Lights is incomplete without a rangoli.
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