Significance of Rangoli:

Significance of Rangoli
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For most of us, Rangoli brings the memories of Diwali. However, in South India, it is a daily affair in many homes. They know it by the name of Kolam. Rangoli / Kolam can be astrological, mathematical, symbolic, meditative, yantra, mandala or simply fun. Let us try to understand what Rangoli do and its significance. I would request you to read the article completely, otherwise, it would not be possible to under the significance of rangoli completely.

Rangoli MUST be made of edible products. This is perhaps the MOST important thing to understand in rangoli. Rangoli colours made of chemical, powder, sand or other such things have NO significance at all. They are just decoration that looks good to the eyes. 

Kolam is always made from rice powder. This rice powder can be coloured with a natural ingredient like Haldi, flowers or vegetables like palak, chukundar etc. Alternatively, various edibles like moong dal, channa dal, masoor dal, rice, wheat, corn etc can be used. There will be a separate article explaining how to make natural colours for rangoli.  

Rangoli should be made either just outside the entrance or inside the house. It should be made on the floor and not on any table or furniture. The entrance is the most important part of Vastu. A welcoming entrance sets a mood and gives a feel-good factor to the entrants. 

These days some rangoli stickers are coming into the market. They can be pasted instead of making a rangoli. Needless to mention, they are of no significance at all. Also, there are some stencils on the market which can be used to make instant Rangoli. If such stencils are used, make sure that edible powder should spend time in your palms and hands. Making rangoli is a meditative process, a sort of healing therapy. People who have made rangoli can understand the sense of involvement in the process. Even watching someone make rangoli is also so fulfilling experience. Using stencils loses this aspect of rangoli, otherwise, all other significance remains intact.

Buddhism has an elaborate process for making a type of rangoli called a Mandala. Rangoli can also be made in form of Yantras. There are specific patterns of rangoli for each nakshatra also. People with knowledge of Yantra and Mandala can invite Gods and Deities in these Yantra / Mandala. When Deities are invited to stay in such mandala or yantra, they should be offered sacrifice in form of food, fruits and flowers. 

Generally, Rangoli should be kept for 7 or 9 days. This does not apply to people who make rangoli on daily basis. If 7 / 9 days are not possible, it can be kept as long as practically possible. 
  
When it is time to dispose of rangoli, it should be done by family members only. It must NOT be done by maids and daily help. If the Deities have been called in rangoli, they should be given a proper farewell. Once that is taken care of, family members should wipe the colours using their hands and palms. This is very important that palms be used to pick up the colours.
 
Now, when the colours of rangoli are disposed of, they MUST become a meal for ants, insects, worms and birds. This is the reason that so much insistence is given on using edible products only for rangoli. The edible product tends to absorb the energy from the ground and the hands which lay/picks them up. As the ants, insects, worms, birds and other creatures eat the rangoli, they bless the ground on which it was kept for 7 / 9 days. They bless the hands which laid down and picked the rangoli. By doing so, all Vastu Dosha of the home and dosha related to astrology/planet of person laying/picking gets corrected. 

So, it is recommended that at least on any special occasion like during home entrance or Diwali etc one should make rangoli for sure.

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Comments (3 )

SHRIMALI ANUJ

Very informative article about rangoli. Never thought about its spritual prespective while making or seeing rangoli.

aadri team astrologer kundli

Thanks Anuj ji. Infact, if we observe closely, all activities of our life can be related to spiritualism. .

Tadinada Harish

Here in south we do it daily. My mother doesn't let us go for work unless it is done.

aadri team astrologer kundli

Wow. In my experience, all the parts of our culture is still alive in some form and in atleast some parts of the country. Thanks for sharing..

Stone Stepping

Very informative post. Thanks for sharing. Can the yantra and mandala be made at the entrance on the floor? And another doubt arising to me is astdal form of rangoli can be made on the the floor?

aadri team astrologer kundli

Thanks. Mandala and yantra should not be made on floor, it should be elevated from ground. Astdal, if part of yantra, should not be made on floor. If it is just a design, it can be made on floor. Yantra and Mandala are God themselves and should be treated like we treat our temple Idols..

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