Rangoli

During Diwali (The Festival of Lights), Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit homes that are well lit, so families decorate their homes.
Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. While Laxmi is generally worshiped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desire her only as wealth.
People wear their best clothes or buy new ones, children are given presents and new year greetings are exchanged through visits or Diwali cards.
Thus, a Rangoli design is created on doorsteps to welcome everybody. Rangoli exudes a pattern in color that are specific for each region.
Rangoli was one of the major decorations or embellishments in the ancient times, but they have not lost their charm even in the modern context. These traditional embellishments are still used in India on various festivals and special occasions like marriages, birth ceremonies, and so. Although rangoli-making is a popular art across India, but they are like a tradition in Maharashtra (where we live), where they are most prevalent. On the Diwali festival, people usually make various types of geometrical patterns and designs between which they place oil lamps (diyas).
And this year, our lovely maid Lilly was so thoughtful and brought colored sand and oil lamps to the house for us. She and Catherine had a wonderful time making Rangoli...she even changed the pattern 2 or 3 times during the week leading up to Diwali!
Another wonderful Indian experience!