Rangoli is a traditional Hindu art form from India where a symbolic design is created on a floor, either inside or outside, using materials like rice, wheat or rice flour, colored sand or even flower petals. It is usually created for holidays like Diwali and other special occasions. Rangoli are used for decorations and thought to bring good fortune. Traditional designs range from simple basic geometric designs to elaborate depictions of flowers, birds, deities, etc. Often a design will be passed down in a family from one generation to another.

Traditionally, colors were created using natural materials. Today, rangoli powder can be purchased that has been colored chemically. The design is created by drizzling the powder on the work surface using the thumb and first finger. Funnels can be used to add detail. These are temporary designs and are not affixed to the work surface with any kind of adhesive.

NOTE: We are using salt colored with sidewalk chalk. With it you can get many beautiful colors and create lovely designs. Keep in mind that the salt crystal are a bit more “bouncy” than the powders. This makes them a little harder to control but will give you a sense of the experience very inexpensively. If you would like to try using rangoli powder, there are many places on line you can purchase them.

How to Make Rangoli with Colored Salt Materials

• salt
• drawing chalk
• Ziploc bags
• pattern (optional)

How to Make Rangoli with Colored Salt Directions

Check out rangoli designs on the internet or books. We have included a simple pattern for inspiration. Pick one you like or design your own. We highly recommend you start with a simple design with large open areas.

Begin by coloring salt for your rangoli. We colored 6 bags of salt, plus we left 1 cup of salt white. To color salt, place 1/2 cup of salt in a Ziploc bag and add 1 full piece of sidewalk chalk into the bag. Seal the bag removing most of the air. On a hard surface, like a table, roll the chalk back and forth between your palms and the table. Occasionally, shake the bag to mix the salt. Keep rolling the chalk back and forth until you achieve the desired color. Remove the chalk from the bag. You will be amazed at how little chalk was used to create the color! You are now ready to start making your rangoli design.

Make a copy of the pattern provided or draw your own on a piece of paper. You may want to tape the paper to your work surface so you do not accidentally bump it.

Begin with the center of the design and work your way out. We started by outlining each part of our design with white salt, then filling in the design with colored salt. Note: we used a paint brush to “sweep up” the run-away salt crystals!

Keep working your way out until the whole design is filled.

**If you have any salt left over, store in the Ziploc bags and save for other crafts.**

NOTE: Originally, we tried gluing the salt to the paper so we could keep our rangoli designs. Although it did hold the salt in place while we were working, it was a totally different experience and the end results were not acceptable. The salt crystals expanded from the moisture of the glue and when the rangoli dried, almost all the salt fell off! If you want to try making a rangoli design that will last, try using colored sand.