How to Use Flowers to Decorate for Diwali

Diwali is one of the most anticipated and celebrated festivals in India that occurs in the month of Ashwayuja on the Hindu calendar, or sometime in October or November. For 5 days, Hindus, Sikhs and Jainists celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Fresh flowers are of special significance at this time and many use flowers to decorate for Diwali. Participate in this Hindu custom by learning how to use flower to decorate for Diwali yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Flowers of choice
• Puja thali
• Rangoli

Instructions

Learn How to Use Flowers to Decorate for Diwali

1. Plan to spruce up your home before you use flowers to decorate for Diwali. It is common to renovate, freshly paint and thoroughly clean the house in preparation of the arrival of the Festival of Lights. In fact, all families follow this custom, whether rich or poor. It is believed that Lakshmi (also known as Laxmi), the Goddess of wealth and prosperity who is central to the celebration of Diwali, will not bestow her blessings on an untidy home.

2. Welcome the Goddess into your home or place of worship for Diwali by adding colorful and fragrant flowers to your Puja thali, the plate of offerings made in Her honor and in expectation of Her blessings.

3. Use flowers to decorate rangolis for Diwali. Rangolis are elaborate patterns traditionally created on the floor or ground from rice colored with natural vegetable dyes. However, other materials can also be used to fill in the design, including flowers of varying colors and textures. Red flowers are a particular favorite to decorate rangolis. The flowers can even be reused to decorate with again as the days of the festival progress.

4. Consider using flowers to decorate the thalis (trays) in your home to offer sweets to your guests. You might even glue flowers on, or glue dried flowers to streams of satin ribbon and decorate your thalis with these.

5. Place lots of fresh and brightly colored flowers in tall vases around your home or office. The colors will remind you that Diwali symbolizes illumination, and the fragrance of the flowers will only add to the ambience.

6. Decorate the streets, alleys and doorways in neighborhoods less fortunate than yours with freshly cut flowers. The Goddess Lakshmi will smile on your generosity and your enthusiasm to shed brightness where it is needed most.

Tips & Warnings

• Diwali is commonly known as Deepavali in the south of India, which translates to mean brightness over darkness (good over evil).

• Diwali is also referred to as the Festival of Lights, indicating a deeper appreciation of inner enlightenment (Atman) and blessings given and received from the divine spirit (Brahman).