Kolam by Sudha Balaji

How to make a traditional  Indian flower garland  Many of us would have observed and noticed flower garlands being made at the entrance of our local temples.  I would like to share the method of making this beautiful floral decoration idea for Varamahalakshmi Pooja .  This garland we can use for decorating the Puja mantap or as a decoration for the Varalakshmi kalasam decorations. The method is as follows Buy a large quantity of roses depending upon the length of garland  required I have shared only the basics of the method and so the garland is relatively short Take two or three thick  banana stem fibres ( called naaru in Tamil ).  They serve as the support for the garland Take a thin fibre and tie a knot at the top as shown. Place one rose on the thick fibres and hold the flower by taking the thin fibre around the stalk Turn the thick fibre combination by ninety degrees  and  place the next rose and take the fibre around the rose Again ...

Traditional method of tying roses is tricky and needs practice, among most flowers rose petals are the most delicate and hence we have to handle the flowers carefully.   Even while tying it is possible that the petals can get separated. Still rose is one of the most beautiful flowers and many of us cannot resist the temptation of making a rose flower garland. (poo malai) What I have shown is a simple method for making a rose garland .   As usual, since this blog is mainly about traditions, customs and festivals, this decoration can be used for Varalakshmi Vratham or Navratri. We need lace ribbon that has holes as shown in the picture below.   Insert the roses one by one giving enough gap between any two roses.   The roses being inserted.  Even this we have to do carefully to preserve the petals. After completing one side, insert the flowers the next side between the stalks of the roses already in place. A beautiful garland is getting ...