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In India, Diwali is the time for spring-cleaning of the
house and to give it a fresh and bright new look with fancy decorations. Every
year on Diwali people give a fresh coat of paint to their house and decorate it
with something traditional yet trendy. There are a whole lot of traditional decorations
associated with the festival of Diwali. These are being carried out since ages
and are enhanced every year with new ideas and techniques to suit modern tastes
and requirements.
Bandanwar
or Door-Hangings
 Bandanwars
are a traditional decorative for the festival of Diwali. These help to give a
festive charm to the house. Usually people put up door-hangings embellished with
embroidery, bells or
mirrors on the main entrance door of the house and also the door of their worship
room.
Hang up a bell at the entrance to your house. Let the visitors ring
it instead of the electric door-chime. The naturally melodious tone gives every
arrival that "puja-festive" feeling.
Rangoli
 To
welcome Lakshmi Mata or the Goddess of Wealth, women prepare elaborate Rangoli
patterns
in front of the thecourtyards or the entrance of the house. Rangoli is the colourful
geometric pattern prepared on the floor with colored sawdust, chalk, flour or
rice-grain. A lot of creativity and hard work goes into the making of this beauty.
The beauty of Rangoli is further enhanced with the traditional Diwali earthen
diyas.
Rangoli is the ritual that
people like to follow, but at times it can turn out to be cumbersome. For a simple
version, soak rice in different colors overnight; dry in sun the next day. Trace
the design with wet chalk and simply fill in colored rice.
Diyas
and Candles
 Diyas
and candles are an intrinsic part of Diwali decorations. People love to illuminate
every nook and corner of their house with diyas and candles that come in interesting
and artistic designs on the occasion of Diwali.
Decorative
Lamps
As Diwali is the ‘Festival of Lights’ people love to
add glamour to their house with an extra bit of illumination. Hence, decorative
lamps are quite popular. These come in various materials ranging from simple rice
paper to glass, brass and marble.
Adorn
your house with flowers
 On the Diwali morning, go to a flower
shop or order sufficient quantity to adorn your house. The fragrance of the flowers
will hold you under a spell. Buy flowers in dozens- the choicest being
roses, lilies, jasmines and string them into garlands. It will lend a spiritual
enchantment to the puja. Put some flowers in glasses, pen-stands, glasses or almost
anything that would enhance the beauty of your house.
Draw
Lakshmi's feet
 A
creative way of keeping the enthusiastic youngsters away from mischiefs is to
draw Lakshmi's
feet in sindoor (vermilion) mixed in a little milk. Let them follow her footsteps
up stairs and all over the home, starting at the front door and meandering off
to visit each room in turn.
Click
for previous decorations
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