Spring (Holi) Kolam

Let us celebrate arrival of spring and the Holi with a colorful Kolam.

The month of March (Phalgun in India) ushers in spring when seeds sprout, flowers bloom and the gloom of the winter gives way to bright summer. Birds come out in large number and enjoy the spring season.

A Kolam to represent this lovely atmosphere is designed below with a flower in the middle and surrounded by birds. In the first one, 15 dots in five lines in the middle and reduced by two in stages to end with five dots on both sides is presented.

If you find above little tough, try the smaller version of 8 dots in eight lines which will give a square shape.

Color the flower as well as to the birds, with Rangoli powder, as per your imagination and celebrate Holi in its true spirit. As usual give me your feedback and keep visiting the blog to get more updates. Like us and upload your own images to facebook.com/kolamforall.

Wish you all a happy time ahead. 

Shivaratri Kolam

Hello folks,

I hope you could draw the Kolam for Rathasapthami sent by me last time.

I now give tips on Kolam for another important Hindu festival, Shivarathri falling on the 9^th March in North America and on the 10^th March in India.

You all know Lord Shiva is highly pleased if someone offers him a Bael/Vilvam/Bilva leaf (as may be known in various regions). The green leaf consisting of three leaves also resembles the Trisool in the hands of Lord Shiva.  Then why not draw a Kolam representing this shape.  Here are the tips for the same.

As you will see from the below drawing, I have initially drawn a diamond shape dots, 5 in the middle and tapering off to one above /below the middle line. In order to convert this diamond shape into a star like shape, in the second picture I have drawn on right upside one line of two dots and tapering to one after that.  The same way you can do it on all four sides. After that you can join the dots to get a three leaved Bilva as shown below.

You will observe from this, in order to draw this type of Kolam, the dots in the middle of the Kolam should be five, eleven or seventeen.  Initially, to get the diamond shape it should tapered off to one on both sides as mentioned above.  Further for converting into star shape, adding dots on all four sides should be in the combination of 2&1 for 5 dots in the middle, 5,4,3,2 & 1 for 11 dots in the middle and 8,7,6,5,4,3,2 &1 for 17 dots in the middle.

I have shown below, two Kolams with 11 and 17 dots.

Do you like the idea?  If so why not try it and offer it as our humble prayer to Lord Shiva on Shivarathri.

Do leave your feedback on the blog or message me on Google+ at +R. Venkataramani with your thoughts or special requests.

I will talk to you all with more Kolams for beginners in the next post.

Hara Hara Mahadeva

KOLAM FOR RATHA SAPTHAMI DAY

KOLAM FOR RATHASAPTHAMI DAY (16th/17^th Feb 2013) (Surya Jayanthi)

The above Kolam is apt for the above occasion.

As anybody can observe, it is in four parts: the dome, side supports, the image of Surya in the middle and the base with wheel.

The image of Surya is drawn without any dots and can be easily drawn.

The dome starts with single dot (idukku pulli) and goes up to 12.  The sides are are with 3 dots throughout.

The base is drawn with 17 dots. 

The base wheel is again drawn without dot.

The whole image represents Lord Surya travelling in a chariot.

The entire design can be varied according to one’s taste and imagination.

The same Kolam can be used on Makara Sankaranthi (Pongal) day.

By the way Ratha Sapthami, as the heading indicates, is the Jayanthi   day of Lord Surya.

Ratha Sapthami is symbolic of the change of season to spring and the start of the harvesting season

Worshipping Lord Surya on this day is the tradition for a long time in South India.

This year the Ratha Sapthami falls on 16th Feb in North America & 17^th Feb. in India.

It will be interesting to note here that some Temples in South India do Surya Pooja during this period ending with Ratha Sapthami.  Also, it will be interesting to note that during this period, the rays of Surya will fall on the Lord Shiva in the sanctum Sanctorum in some temples, which is an architectural marvel to watch.

I know for sure that this happens at Thirumeyachur, near Peralam (in the bus/train route between Mayiladuthurai & Nannilam).  This is the famous temple where there is the sannadhi for Shri Lalithambigai.   Surya Pooja at this temple is very famous.  So next time when you happen to travel that side, don’t miss this temple and be the recipient of the blessings of Lord Meganathar & Goddess Lalithambigai.

Prayer to Lord Surya not only gives of good health but also knowledge.  Lord Hanuman gained all his Vidya from Surya, so say the Puranas.  Let us pray to Lord Surya to bestow us with health and Vidya on this auspicious day.