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Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Kolam 2018

November is that time of the year when colorful *kolams pop up everywhere as Hindus the world over celebrate *Deepavali aka Diwali.

Sharing photos of this year's kolams I've captured at several malls in my neck of the woods.



Starbucks kolam!!


* Deepavali/Diwali also known as the Festival of Lights is celebrated by the Hindu Community to symbolize the triumph of good over evil; the victory of light over dark.

The entrances to Hindu homes are decorated with fresh mango leaves and kolams. It is believed that Lakshmi, The Goddess of Wealth, will only enter a home that is adorned with a kolam.

* Kolam is an ancient Indian art of drawing using colored rice grains or powdered rice to form symmetrical geometric patterns on the floor. The Hindus believe that a kolam at the entrance of a house will usher prosperity and harmony to the home. It is also believed that a kolam wards off evil spirits and diseases.

Another purpose of the kolam is to invite birds and small insects like ants to a home to symbolize man’s co-existence with and consideration for other living things.

Traditionally, the ritual is performed daily by the women of a household early in the morning.

 Fun Kolam Facts

1. The lines in a kolam must be continuous and unbroken so that evil cannot enter the house via the gaps.

2. The patterns are traditionally passed on from mothers to their daughters.

3. Kolam in the Tamil language means form and beauty.

4. As the kolam erases during the course of the day by birds and insects feeding on the rice, people's foot steps and the natural elements, a new kolam is drawn again the next morning, thus repeating the cycle. It imparts the idea that life is renewed daily.


Happy Deepavali to all my Hindu pallies!

21 comments:

  1. I think I'd be a little miffed if some bugs came along and ruined my kolam and I had to do that all over again the next day! They sure are beautiful.

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  2. This is something we should all do. Good over evil works for me.

    Have a wonderful Festival of lights. ♥

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  3. So many pretty designs! Didn't realize they were made by rice until I read further down your post. So very fascinating!

    betty

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  4. Color is something we need more of in the US. Among many other things. Ha! I love the first photo. It's so pretty!

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  5. This is new to me and I love it when I learn something by reading blogs. Thank you #GlobalBlogging

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  6. what a beautiful festival! And I love to see the flowers as well as mandalas. Happy deevali…

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  7. What an interesting post those colours and patterns are brilliant so artistic too

    Have an artistictastic week :-)

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  8. Wow, those are gorgeous! Would love to see in person. Thanks for sharing at NanaHood!

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  9. These kolams look absolutely amazing! This is something that I have never seen or heard of before. Now I am intrigued to learn more. Thank you so much for sharing these images with us. :)

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  10. Veronica,

    I'm always amazed what other can do; these are beautiful art designs!

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  11. Well, I know my daughter would love the Star Bucks pattern for she's a huge fan of theirs, and the others are so very colorful. It almost looks like Spring once again! Woo Hoo Come on SPRING! I'm so not ready for our Winter that is coming. It almost looks like you have a Kaleidoscope going there. I use to love those when I was a kid. Oh well, have a great day my friend and thanks for stopping by! hugs

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  12. Such beautiful designs! Love the bright colors.

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  13. These kolams are so incredible. Enjoy the Festival of Lights. Would love to go to India and see all these beautiful designs one day.

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  14. What a wonderful tradition full of color and goodwill! #GlobalBlogging

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  15. #thatfridaylinky I love the bright and beautiful pictures and learning about this holiday. Thank you! xoxo

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  16. Wow! The Kolam is very cool. First time I've seen it. You said it was made from rice but it's very colorful. Is the family supposed to dye the rice or do you buy colored rice?

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  17. Very complicated shapes! Extraordinarily beautiful models! I really like the elephant here.

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