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

Where: Pioneer Elementary School, 2010 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood Diwali celebrations will include food vendors, music, dance, and arts and crafts booths — as well as traditional Rangoli displays.

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

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

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

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

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