Kolam, or Rangoli is regarded as a sort of painted prayer in South India. It is believed that a Kolam design bestows prosperity and success. The female members of the house usually draw the design in front of their homes. The patterns are often passed on from generation to generation, like from a mother to her daughter. The design usually comprises of a symmetric line drawing, which comprises of curved loops, drawn around a crisscross pattern of dots. In case of special occasions, such as marriages or religious feastdays ritual Kolam patterns can stretch all the way from the courtyard to the street. It is said that in a Kolam design, the lines must be completed. Broken lines prevent evil spirits from entering inside the design, and along with it, inside the home.
On the first Navaratri-Day Swami Vishwananda started to design together with the children a nice Rangoli in the entrance hall and asked us to every morning one more. We coloured rice with some watercolour and let it get dry. It is easy to do and you come in a nice meditating mood. 