• Know about the deeper significance of making Rangoli. How it’s making helps in unknown ways. 

A glance at the vibrant primary colours of red and yellow enveloped in pristine white dots, curves and lines of rice powder is enough to evoke joy in onlookers’ eyes. But it is more than just what meets the eye; it’s science!

Rangoli/Kolam, has the power to significantly alter our way of looking at the mundane and apparently inconsequential. It goes deeper than drawing some colourful pictures in the courtyard during festivals and special occasions. Often its significance is limited to being a cheerful and welcoming piece of art at the front door and not much thought is given to it beyond that. But the history and science behind it is extremely impressive. To think that so much powerful thought and science are behind the origin of the art of rangoli is remarkable and proves the highly advanced knowledge held by our ancestors.

This article was first published in the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Journal.

Rangoli is the culmination of the use of mathematics, geometry, fractals, Fibonacci, neuroscience, ephemerality, divinity, harmonious co-existence and calmness induction, all in a drawing!

Our ancestors were masters in weaving the most sophisticated scientific findings into simple daily rituals so that the general population could gather tremendous benefits for their well-being. They made it all so simple and practical for us that we started taking it for granted. We soon lost this highly beneficial art form and it was relegated to a few occasions in some households.

Fortunately for us, we still hold the power to make every day a little more magical. We ought to perceive such mundane things from a new perspective. We should learn to appreciate all the blessings given to us by our ancestors and give them a new life.

A striking aspect of rangoli making is fractals, which is the geometry of eternity. Fractals are a curve or geometrical figure, each part of which is the same statistical character as the whole. In math, a fractal is a never-ending pattern. Fractals are built by repeating something over and over again. Fractals may be created by using numbers or images as in rangoli. It is said that nature is so relaxing to us because it is full of curves fractals. In the same way a rangoli is pleasing to the one who makes it as well as the onlooker. Various orthodox designs are made in a repetitive pattern to invoke positive energy. The repetitive patterns induce a meditative state and help in becoming aware of the present moment. Science now recommends doodling-like art forms to reduce anxiety by turning anxious thoughts into shapes and repetitive patterns.

The making of a complex traditional rangoli is all-embracing and engages all your faculties. It is a good way to start your day with focus, concentration and agility. The need to pay attention to details improves concentration and cognitive skills. It is a good way to de-stress, induce calmness, create a good mood and promote general well-being. Drawing by hand develops focus, patience and joy, a dire need especially in today’s fast paced world of doom-scrolling.

Being outdoors and on your feet for some time every morning may turn out to be just what the doctor prescribed. Another interesting fact is the acupressure point which is activated by letting the rangoli powder flow between the thumb and forefinger. It is equally true that a guest entering a house and beautifully decorated with rangoli cannot help but feel a sense of positivity and good vibes. It brings peace and prosperity to the home and wards off unpleasantness.

The not-so-trivial practice of rangoli-making teaches us the profound trait of transience and ephemerality. As the day progresses, footsteps, rain and winds smudge the painstakingly drawn patterns. But that does not deter us. In spite of it being short-lived we are ready and eager to start afresh again the next morning. This daily act of creation and destruction is acted out beautifully and teaches us the importance of impermanence in our daily lives. The rhythm goes on.

We become part of this great ancient tradition which subtly teaches us about not getting attached. Many ancient cultures including Tibetan Buddhist mandala art and Japanese ikigai practise rituals to inculcate the concept of impermanence. A wonderful opportunity awaits us to be a part of this centuries-old living tradition; something sacred, something personal. It is a lesson in mindfulness and finding joy and meaning in small, everyday rituals.

In earlier days ground rice was used to make the patterns. This was designed as a way of giving back to nature. The ants and small insects would partake of the rice, a way of recycling and harmonious coexistence. Ancient texts recommended the use of vermillion and saffron for rangoli in the temples and flowers and rice during wedding rituals. Symbolism has been a part of many ancient cultures.

Rangoli continues that tradition by using specific forms and symbols in patterns to attract peace and prosperity. Symmetry is an innate property of nature and our brains respond to it favourably and instinctively. To create such a pattern one uses both the right and left parts of the brain.

Symmetrical patterns create ease and comfort in the brain, be it art, music or architecture. Such art practices encourage concentration and a flow state that can relieve anxiety. Beauty is nourishment for the soul and without it we don’t just lose aesthetics, we lose meaning. There is a reason antique artifacts still evoke joy and meaning. 

Beauty shapes how we experience the world and connect with each other. When it is ignored, society loses more than elegance; it loses inspiration, empathy and a little bit of magic. We benefit highly from bringing beauty into our homes and the best part is that we don’t have to travel far for it—it’s at our fingertips. As Fyodor Dostoevsky rightly said, ‘Beauty will save the world’.

Indian celebrations are incomplete without toran, rangoli, flowers, music, gulal, lights and food. Steeped in tradition, all these elements carry immense significance and give a sense of completion and fulfilment to the festival. Among them, rangoli holds a special place.

The art form is mentioned in our revered Ramayana and Mahabharata and has the distinction of being one of the 64 essential art forms.

The art of rangoli is a wonderfully practical way to convert a mundane morning into a purposeful and happiness-inducing one. The cumulative impact of creating rangoli daily should therefore not be underestimated.

This article was first published in the Bhavan’s Journal, January 1-15, 2026 issue. This article is courtesy and copyright Bhavan’s Journal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai-400007. eSamskriti has obtained permission from Bhavan’s Journal to share. Do subscribe to the Bhavan’s Journal – it is very good.

Also read

1. Significance of Kolams

2. Tibetan Sand Mandala