Kolam,Pongal Kolam,Kolam History,Kolam DesignsKolam Significance : VGreets.com

	2009 Pongal on 15th of January, Thursday

Pongal Kolam

Kolam is the art of creating rice flour or chalk decorations on a sidewalk, doorstep or wall. While the Kolam is drawn throughout the year in most homes in South India, it is especially significant during Pongal.Some Kolam designs are simple, white, geometric patterns, covering little space, while others are large, elaborate works of art, incorporating many colors and portraying devotional themes.
Significance of Kolam :
In India, a new Kolam is created every day in a ceremonial gesture of beauty, gratitude and sacrifice. The daily practice of clearing the space by washing the sidewalk and creating splendor for all to see is a sadhana (spiritual practice) in which we all can find divinity. The principles of Satyam-Sivam-Sundaram (Sanskrit term meaning; truth, consciousness and beauty) are at play in every facet of our lives and Kolam reminds us of this on a daily

basis. Whenever we create beauty we are asking the goddess Laksmi to bestow her blessings. Laksmi is the goddess of auspicious wealth and manifest beauty. Everything in our visible reality is a manifestation of her.
Kolam Drawing :
There are several kinds of kolams that are made. Some of the kolams are very simple but some are really complicated and they require a lot of practice. Generally kolams are made of white color but you can also come across kolams made up of different colors that add to the beauty of kolam drawings. Different designs are made in a kolam and parallel lines are made by using Ulakai that is a cylindrical rod. Kolam are also made in the areas where Pongal is prepared as this kolam makes it a sanctified place.