Alpana, Laxmi Puja, Laxmi Puja Alpana, Goddess Laxmi, Alpana of Laxmi Puja

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Lakshmi Puja - Alpana

Alpana is a particular type of art or painting done on horizontal surfaces. It is generally done to mark an auspicious occasion. Mostly, it is done on Puja days. Marriages and other community events constitute the other occasions when Alpana is used. This art is typically found in the Indian subcontinent. There are many variants; out of them the commonest one is called ‘Rangoli’. The name ‘Alpana’ and the way we perceive it is only seen in Bengal.

Alpana is typically found on the patio, floors and walls and on large pots and vessels. It is usually done by the women and it goes best with Laxmi Puja.

The specialty of Alpana- Alpana is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Alimpana’, which means ‘to plaster’ or ‘to coat with’. The origin of Alpana is difficult to trace. Some sources indicate that it is there since the pre-Aryan times. All the ritualistic and traditional folk arts of Bengal, including Alpana, are believed to have been used by the agricultural communities of the region for driving out evil spirits. So, it is clearly evident that this art form has come a long way to establish itself as a mark of auspiciousness. Alpana may be white or black in colour. But in Bengal it is strictly white in colour.

It is such because the liquid paste used for Alpana is nothing but rice powder mixed in water. The white paste created from rice symbolically represents wealth, prosperity and grace of Goddess Lakshmi.

Atap rice is required for Alpana. The short grained variety of the same is the widely used type. It takes a few hours (4 to 6) for the rice to get soaked in water. Thus it gets softened and after that it is dried. It is then grinded to a fine powder which is subsequently used in Alpana.

Drawing the Alpana requires a special set of skills.
The one drawing should have a clear and concise design and idea in mind before getting started with the drawing. The powder is held between the thumb and the index finger and is sprinkled on the ground to create the designs.

The other way of doing the job deals with the paste made of rice powder (by mixing the latter to water). A small piece of paper or cloth is folded to form a wick and is dipped in the rice paste to draw various designs.

Circular Alpana is used to draw Goddess Laxmi’s feet on the auspicious occasion of Laxmi Puja. It is also drawn in a particular way, which makes it look like the Goddess is entering the house. Alpana is especially correlated with Laxmi Puja because of the fact that Goddess Laxmi is very calm and quiet and she likes the surroundings to be of the same kind.
Hence, this art form pleases her. It goes well with her likes and fondness.
It is widely believed that worshipping Goddess Laxmi, being encircled by beautifully drawn Alpana, brings in luck and prosperity to the concerned household.
These days, people often lack the skill and time to implement their ideas regarding the drawing of Alpana. Ready made pieces are available in the market which apparently acts as close substitutes. This has been a good addition. But, it would be fair to infer that nothing can really substitute the age old tradition of drawing the Alpana.


Lakshmi E-card	Lakshmi Mobile Wallpaper	Lakshmi Puja Alpana	Lakshmi Wallpaper	Lakshmi Broto Katha	Lakshmi E-puja

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