--- description: Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, begins today. Get inspired with these striking rangoli designs to start your celebration. title: See the Most Beautiful Rangoli Designs People Are Sharing in Celebration of Diwali image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6efa5eb610a9b718/6988e296929fada657bee264/gettyimages-860629404.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Diwali Starts Today. See the Most Beautiful Rangoli Designs People Are Sharing in Celebration by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) ## TIME Staff Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Oct 19, 2017 7:23 AM CUT  An artist prepares Rangoli ahead of Diwali in Delhi on Oct. 12, 2017. An artist prepares Rangoli ahead of Diwali in Delhi on Oct. 12, 2017.NurPhoto—NurPhoto/Getty Images by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) ## TIME Staff Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Oct 19, 2017 7:23 AM CUT [Diwali](http://time.com/4547034/diwali-2016/ "undefined") (also known as Deepavali) begins today, and Hindu communities around the world gearing up for the festival of lights. The five-day festival celebrates the return of Rama after 14 years in exile to defeat the demon king Ravana in the ancient Sanskrit epic _Ramayana_. Celebrants will set off fireworks, share sweet treats, and decorate their homes with candles and oil lamps for the holiday, but no celebration is complete without admiring some beautiful [_rangoli_](http://world.time.com/2013/11/03/photos-hindu-diwali-festival-lights-up-cities-worldwide/photo/a-girl-squats-near-a-rangoli-during-diwali-celebrations-in-karachi/ "undefined") — or making your own. For the uninitiated, _rangoli_ (also known as _kolam_ in Tamil) are eye-catching designs made with colored rice, flour, powder, sand or flower pedals, traditionally assembled on the floor or a home or courtyard, though they can also be made in entrances or corners. Many depict Hindu deities, still others show geometric and concentric shapes, or floral or peacock motifs. They may reflect family or region-specific traditions or contain references to folk tales — but all are auspicious, and a way to express your creativity. While traditionally drawn by women, there’s no ban on men making _rangoli_. Mahesh Rao, 29, a former engineer, is studying to earn a PhD in rangoli-making, [according](http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/state/engineer-from-udupi-now-a-rangoli-expert/articleshow/59532474.cms? "undefined") to the Bangalore _Mirror_. “Rangoli is about culture and history,” he told the paper. “I am attempting to preserve the traditional art as I do not want the youngsters to view rangoli only as a picture.” But you don’t need an advanced degree to get started. The internet has helped open the door of _rangoli_\-making to the masses: there’s no shortage of [how-to-guides](https://www.fabhow.com/make-rangoli-designs-for-diwali.html "undefined"), [video tutorials](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHS40-eP6zA "undefined") and [hacks](https://www.bebeautiful.in/lifestyle/home-decor/5-rangoli-hacks-for-lazy-girls "undefined") out there to help you get started. And remember: there’s no shame in using stencils, says this helpful [_Times of India_](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/these-clever-rangoli-hacks-will-save-the-day-this-diwali/articleshow/61131627.cms "undefined") tip list. Check out some designs below, and have a happy Diwali. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4988821/diwali-rangoli-deepavali-design/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4988821/diwali-rangoli-deepavali-design/"},"headline":"Diwali Starts Today. 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