Kolam by Sudha Balaji

    How to make the poola  jada at home , a simple idea through images   Floral decorations can be done in innumerable ways and along with rangoli form an art form that is creative in nature.   Alankaram  is an important art.   Traditionally decoration of the braid with flowers and hence floral decorations have been given  importance particularly for weddings.       The following images show how a simple poo jadi is made.    Usually we use three flowers of different colours choosing at least two fragrant varieties   As shown in the first image, jasmine flowers are  Not  tied following the traditional method of stringing  .  They are tied on one side only so that all the stalks are on one side .  The method followed for stringing the flowers is the same as that we follow for tying flowers on both sides of a string,  only in this case all flowers will be one one side.  ...

The pictures below show step by step how we can get a beautiful and thick garland using arali flowers. This method gives a beautiful garland .  It gives me immense pleasure offering it to Goddess when I perform Puja.   The first two flowers are tied one above and another below - the usual method of tying .  The next two pictures show how the knot is made In this type of garland , the length of the thread we leave on the left determines the length of the garland After tying the first two flowers, turn.  Then place one flower so that the stalk is parallel and lies on the thread on the left side Thread goes around the stalk and comes to the right side of the flower placed Place the next flower to the right of the previous flower so that the stalk is on the thread  Again the thread goes around the stalk and comes to the right side Continue these steps  After completing the garland tie knots using the left and right ends of the threads to secure all the flo...

Jadhi malli poo kattuvathu eppadi | Type of Jasmine | Mogra This method is for getting a thick garland .  I regularly purchase from Koyembedu flower market before going to any temple and tie them at home at night listening to devotional songs .  It gives a lot of satisfaction and mental peace.  I purchase for Rs.100 approximately depending upon the price .  I get 12 to 15 muzham ( as we say in Tamil ).  The garland is long enough to adorn God and Goddess deities in a temple This flower when tied as buds looks beautiful and when it blooms looks even more beautiful The top images after blooming and the bottom as buds I tie(string ) the flowers in pairs to get a thick garland Tie(string ) the first set at the  top and bottom at the centre of the string Place a pair of flowers with the stalks on  the bottom of the string as shown This gives a close up view Take the string around the flowers and bring it to the top on the r...

Iruvatchi ( இருவாட்சி மலர்  ) in Tamil is a type of jasmine that is popular in Trichy and Srirangam.  A very beautiful variety of flower.  I got some flowers and immediately made a garland.   I offer these garlands to the pictures of Gods in our Pooja room or offer them to any temple I visit. That is quite frequent by God's grace. I am sharing easy rangoli through images in this blog.  Occasionally I share flower decorations recipes, Puja related posts also. This is one of them.  Tie two flowers one at the top and one at the bottom at approximately the centre of the thread.  Tie two knots  Place the next flower such that the stalk rests on the thread below Bring the thread around the stalk and the string at the bottom Place the next flower with stalk on the string below Take the thread around to hold the flower These two images give a top view of tying the flowers Traditional method of tying flowers t...

How to make thick fresh flower garlands  The first picture shows thick garlands of various flowers, kakada (called kattu malli in Tamil) kanambaram and jasmine ( called malli in Tamil )  This type of decoration can be used for bridal hair decoration for wedding, baby showers, seemantham or valaikappu The bright orange-coloured flowers are beautiful.  I purchase either at the local flower vendor or go to the flower market in Koyambedu, Tie flowers on both sides of a string some where near the centre Turn after tying Tie two or three flowers with stalks placed on the thread on the left side of the image The thread on the right side goes around the stalks and the other part of the thread The next set of floers are placed to the right of the previous set of the flowers such that the stalks are on the thread Repeat the procedure,  the thread on the right side goes around the thread on the left side tying the stalks of the flowers ...

After Varalakshmi Vratham, comes Ganesh Chaturti or Vinayaka Chathurti or Chavithi .  It is celebrated on Chathurthi (the fourth day) after new moon  in the Tamil month, Aavani and Bhadrapada maasa in other calenders.Again, I would like to share how I celebrate this festival according to the method followed in our family.  There may be different methods followed in different families in various places in India.                       Arugampul (Bermuda grass) and arali (oleander) are two of the most important offerings for Ganesh Chathurti celebrations. This simple garland is my offering for Ganesh Puja.  A tuft of arugampul and two oleander flowers are placed together as shown, oleander above arugampul and strung into a garland following the usual method of stringing flowers.   Erukkam Poo malai | different type for Pillai Chaturthi decoration This garland is made by tying the flowers in a circle a...