Alpana Rangoli

Alpana, also known as rangoli, aripoma, or kolam, is ancient Hindu religious floor art and its designs are passed down from generations, with some of them being hundreds of years old. The design of alpana drawn on Bhaidooj are geometric and symmetrical, while some nature elements like flowers and birds may be imported. The material used are generally crushed rice powder that are used to make the outline of the Alpana. Other materials such as colored chalk, vermilion, flower petals, grains etc. are used to further decorate the Alpana. The main sources of ideas for designs are plant, leaf and flower motifs, animals (cow, elephant, horse) and birds (eagle, swan).