rangoli

[ ran-goh-lee ]

noun

1. a traditional Hindu decoration on a floor or other flat surface usually made of powder, such as colored or dyed sand, chalk, crushed limestone, or rice flour: A colorful geometric rangoli adorned the threshold.

   The arena in which the dance is performed is decorated with rangoli.

   A colorful geometric rangoli adorned the threshold.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rangoli¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from Marathi rãgoḷī, from Sanskrit raṅga “color” + āvali “line”

Example Sentences

Many draw traditional designs like rangoli - made using colourful powders - outside their doors to welcome luck and positivity.

From BBC

"She looked inside a bag of powdered color," a vendor laughed, pointing to a row of fluorescent sand, which is used for rangoli art.

From Salon

Rangoli — ornamental chalk drawings — adorned the clean-swept floors.

From New York Times

Diwali is also celebrated by making creative displays known as Rangoli using petals and sand.

From BBC

The Rangoli Display led by artists from the Seattle Maharashtra Mandal community demonstrates the distinct art form by creating colorful patterns using flower petals and sand.

From Seattle Times