Rangoli-172

Sankranti Special

25 dots-3 rows in center, 23, 21,.....to 3 dots-straight dots ie., one placed below another. This Rangoli reflects the spirit of the festival. 

The clay pots with Pongal(a rice preparation), which is prepared sweet and spicy separately and the recipes vary from house to house. It is then offered to God.

Kites-which are flown during this period mostly in North India and some parts of our state as the winds are favourable for kite flying,

Gobbillu-cow dung shaped into pyramids and decorated with pumpkin flowers, vermilion and turmeric are placed on the Rangolis in the morning and evening for the entire month of Dhanurmaasam and worshipped as Goddess Gauri. Young girls worship her and request for a good husband and happy life. The young girls of the neighbourhood visit all the houses worshipping these Gobbillu. They also sing songs known as Gobbi Paatalu (songs of Gobbillu), while circumbulating the Gobbillu, either clapping hands or with kolatam sticks. These songs are folk songs handed down over generations from the ladies of the house to their girl child. They contain praise of Goddess Gauri, and also requests for what type of husband they want.

Sugarcane-the green ones you can see reflects that new crop has arrived at the households in the villages. This is basically a harvest festival or agricultural festival celebrating harvest as well as the Sun entering the Zodiac sign of Capricorn.

In the center you can see the logs and the fire. This being winter season at its peak, huge bonfires are lit on the first day of the festival known as Bhogi. All the old and unused clutter is cleared from the houses and burnt. Huge logs are placed in the cross roads of the villages, towns or cities and burnt. It is where children, men and women gather together to celebrate.

The star of David or the Sri Chakra I have drawn represents the festival of Rangolis drawn each day morning and evening reverently for a month. This festival is festival of Rangolis too....

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