Chaitrangan Floor Painting of Maharashtra

Chaitrangan is a traditional Rangoli practice specific to Maharashtra and is observed during the month of Chaitra (March–April), the first month of the Marathi calendar, which begins with the festival of Gudi Padwa. Chaitra is regarded as an auspicious and sacred period. The term Chaitrangan is associated with ideas of fertility and regeneration. During this month, the divine couple Shiva and Gauri—locally revered as Chaitra Gaur or Sheetla Gaur—are worshipped daily. Rangoli designs are created in their honour to invoke prosperity, well-being, and divine blessings. Chaitrangan also express gratitude towards nature and Mother Earth, acknowledging seasonal renewal and abundance.

A widely known legend in Maharashtra explains the ritual origins of Chaitrangan. According to this narrative, Lord Shiva, overcome by intense emotion, consumed toxic venom, which left his body and mind disturbed. Various attempts to restore his calm—such as adorning himself with the serpent and placing the moon upon his head—proved ineffective. It was Gauri who ultimately intervened, assuring him of peace and tranquillity. The elements she employed to soothe Shiva are symbolically represented in Chaitrangan Rangoli designs, embedding mythological memory within ritual practice and visual form.

In order to  make Chaitrangan, courtyard is cleaned and plastered with cow dung or kaav/geru (red pigment), and white Rangoli powder is used to draw motifs. Haldi and kumkum (turmeric and vermillion) is offered to Chaitrangan on completion and a diya (lamp) is lit.

Fifty-one shubha chinha (auspicious symbols) are drawn in a Chaitrangan, although earlier 64 symbols were drawn. All the symbols have specific meanings behind them.

Chaitrangan Rangoli starts with:

• toran(door hanging)
• symbols of Gauri-Shankar, Ganpati, swastik, sun, crescent moon, stars, feet of goddess Lakshmi
• shankh kamal(lotus conch)
• four symbols of Lord Vishnu: shankh (conch), chakra (wheel) gada (mace) and padam (lotus)
• jhanda(flag)
• gudi(flag garlanded with flowers, neem leaves and topped with upturned silver or copper vessel)
• hand fans, goddess Saraswati, gaay-vasru(cow-calf)
• nag(snake)
• mor pankh(peacock feathers)
• basri(flute)
• Om(sacred sound and syllable)
• go-padma(cow foot)
• Garud(a divine bird and vehicle of Lord Vishnu)
• hatti(elephant)
• tulsi(sacred basil)
• Shivlingam(an oblong stone representing Lord Shiva)
• panti(earthen lamp)
• kairi(raw mango)
• kela(banana)
• khan-naral(coconut and piece of cloth)
• haldi – kunku(turmeric and vermillion)
• karanda(small casket)
• trishul(trident)
• fani(comb)
• aarsa(mirror)
• damri(pellet drum)
• kasav(turtle)
• sanai-chughade(musical instruments)
• kamal(lotus)
• dhanusha-baan(bow and arrow)
• diya(lamp)

CHAITRANGAN RANGOLI OF MOTIFS USING GERU(RED PIGMENT) AND WHITE RANGOLI POWDER ON A RED BASE