Kolam by Sudha Balaji

I have used a compact dot grid i.e the space between dots is less so that it is easy to present the images.  The problem is that more concentration than usual is needed to draw long lines between/among the dots because it is very easy to get lost.  Step by step images for this big kambi kolam.   The step-by-step pictures below Such kolangal can be drawn for Margazhi kolams or Pongal too.  Kambi kolams are popular during Pongal festival.    Drawing long lines comes with practice, it is difficult but overall gives a beautiful effect because joints at the junction of line segments can be reduced, the longer the lines, lesser the joints. If the junctions are visible we have to fill up with kola podi .  If we do this at many places the beauty may get reduced.                                                        ...

While we would like to maintain our tradition, save our heritage, nowadays time is an important factor   Many of us are working and have to balance personal, official life.   Consequently, the need for quick and easy kolam.  We can try big and elaborate designs for festivals and functions and reserve small kolangal for our daily use. Also, nowadays most live in flats and the space available to draw kolam is restricted.  This is also a reason why small and simple kolams are in great demand. The pictures give some ideas on how we can create beautiful designs with just three dots.  Sky is the limit when we let our imagination run riot.   It is possible to create beautiful kolams using the smallest dot grids.  Hope the above pictures prove it. One important point to be noted is that small kolams that are drawn with dots can also be drawn without dots.   However, many of us find using dot grid to draw kolam useful and we are comfor...

Ananta Vratha festival Ananta Vrata is celebrated on the fourteenth day before the full moon day in the month of Bhadrapada (usually falls between 15th of August and 15th of September).   While Jeevthi Pooja is celebrated by a mother for the welfare of her children, Ananta Vrata is celebrated for the welfare of the couple for fourteen years from the year of the marriage. It performed using a khalasa as we do for Varalakshmi Vratham.  A vessel is filled with water and a red cloth tied around it.  In some families a snake like shape is made from darba grass and placed inside the vessel.  Two red strings with fourteen knots are placed in pooja.    After the Pooja the strings are tied to the the right shoulder.  This ananta as it is called is preserved till the Puja for the next year.   This ritual is continued for fourteen years after which it is completed for that particular couple.   This 15 by 15 dot rangoli is Anant Vrat spec...

Mangala Gowri festival, Vrat  is performed for first five years after marriage.  The idol of Mangala Gowri is handed over to the married lady.   She performs this puja every year after marriage for five years on Sravana Tuesday (Mangala vaar) i.e on all Tuesdays of the month.   This is done for a happy married life.  Betel leaves and nuts ( eight numbers) are offered to Goddess (Gowri or Parvathi) and eaten by the husband and wife.   Offerings include wheat flour modhakam and a kheer with wheat flour ball in milk.  Sixteen wicks are made from cotton, dipped in ghee and aarti is performed with these wicks. Mangala Gowri is available at GRT Jewellers , if you want to purchase it as part of wedding gifts by the parents for the girl Mangala Gowri Pooja story It is said that a girl in whose family Mangala Gowri Pooja was performed regularly was married at an early age.  Goddess Mangala Gowri came in here dream and told her " Lady, you ha...