People make a five-and-a-half km long Rangoli in Bangalore

About 4,500 people in Bangalore participated in a Rangoli competition, creating a five-and-a-half km colour pattern on Wednesday.

By K G Vasuki

Bangalore, Aug.16 : About 4,500 people in Bangalore participated in a "Rangoli" competition, creating a five-and-a-half km colour pattern on Wednesday.

The Rangoli competition was organised by a voluntary organisation, Suvarna Jyothi Trust in the Cubbon Park locality here. The attempt has made the Limca Book of World Records. The participants included individuals from a four-year-old to a 90-year-old.

Lathika, a school student, said: "I have made Rangoli using red, yellow, pink and purple. Actually, I made... points and then coloured it like this."

The world record for creating the largest Rangoli is held by Anandam, a free home for senior citizens in Tamil Nadu.

In 2005, Anandam had entered the Guinness Book of World Records for creating a Rangoli, measuring 233ft by 40ft in a 9320 sq.ft on the pattern of a Kancheepuram silk saree in blue colour with golden yellow and maroon border with 74 elephants decorating the border, 52 Gopurams, an elegant chariot with a Sivalingam as `pallu' and with 155 puttas.

Traditionally, Rangoli has been made during festivals and on special occasions and the drawings are made using lentils, rice, pasta and fruit.

Made with various combinations of curves, lines and dots, Rangolis are a welcome note for the Gods and Goddesses.

In South India, Rangolis are a daily feature with women waking up early morning to make floral decorations.

ANI