This kali chaudas rangoli collection is for the day before Laxmi Pujan, the night of small lamps and protection. In Gujarat it is Kali Chaudas, in many states Narak Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, and in Rajasthan and parts of the north it is also Roop Chaudas. The designs are small, bright and full of diyas, because this is the night we light lamps in every corner.
You will find quick doorstep patterns, diya designs for the yam deep and 14 diyas, Narak Chaturdashi rangoli with chakra and sun, Choti Diwali designs, and Kali Mata symbols like the trishul and red hibiscus. We never draw a face: symbols carry the meaning and are easier to make neat. Each picture gives the level, time and size.
For the evening before, see our Dhanteras rangoli designs. For the big night after, go to Laxmi rangoli designs and the full set of rangoli designs for Diwali.
Simple Kali Chaudas Rangoli, Easy and Quick
Want your kali chaudas rangoli easy and simple? These four take 15 to 25 minutes, so you can finish before the lamps are lit.
1. Five Diyas on a White Star Rangoli
Five orange diyas sit on the points of a white star. Easy, 20 minutes, glows nicely when real lamps are lit near it.
2. Big Diya on a Night Sky Circle
One big diya on a navy circle with tiny white stars. Simple, about 25 minutes. Fill the dark circle first.
3. Nimbu Mirchi Charm Rangoli for the Doorstep
A lemon and seven green chillies on a thread, the old charm against bad luck. Small and quick for the threshold. Easy, 15 minutes.
4. Red Dot Grid Flower for Kids
A red flower on a 7 to 4 dot grid with black and white lines. A quick rangoli for Kali Chaudas that kids can fill. Easy, 15 minutes.Kali Chaudas Rangoli with Diyas: Yam Deep and 14 Diyas
Many homes light 14 diyas on this night and keep one lamp facing south for Yama. These diya designs leave space for real lamps on the edge.
5. Chain of Diyas Along the Threshold
A long chain of small diyas linked by swirls for the door frame. Easy, about 30 minutes for one metre.
6. Fourteen Diyas Around a Red Lotus
Fourteen small diyas circle a red lotus, one for each lamp lit tonight. Mark the circle with a plate. Medium, 40 minutes.
7. Yama Diya Rangoli in a Yellow Square
A four-faced dough diya for Yama, drawn in brown inside a yellow square. Place your real atta diya at its bottom edge. Easy, 20 minutes.
8. Gold Diyas Around a Maroon Hexagon
Six gold diyas sit on the sides of a maroon hexagon. Rich colours for the evening. Medium, about 45 minutes.Narak Chaturdashi Rangoli and Roop Chaudas Rangoli Design
Narak Chaturdashi remembers Krishna’s win over the demon Narakasura, and starts with an early oil bath. A rangoli for Narak Chaturdashi is usually made at dawn, with bright sun and chakra shapes.
9. Sun Chakra Rangoli with Corner Diyas
A bright sun chakra for the early morning bath ritual day, with four corner diyas. Medium, 40 minutes.
10. Sudarshan Chakra and White Conch Rangoli
A spinning Sudarshan chakra with a white shankh below it, for Krishna's victory. Medium, about 40 minutes.
11. Roop Chaudas Ubtan Bowl with Rose Petals
A brass bowl of haldi ubtan with rose petals and an oil lamp, for the Roop Chaudas beauty bath. Easy, 25 minutes.
12. Karit Fruits and Diyas for Narak Chaturdashi
Small green karit fruits and diyas, for the Maharashtrian custom of crushing a bitter fruit at dawn. Easy, 20 minutes.Choti Diwali Rangoli Designs
A rangoli design for Choti Diwali can be cheerful, with lanterns, sparkles and flowers. Kids love these, and they look good the next day too.
13. Powder Diya in Real Marigold and Rose Petals
A powder diya in a ring of real marigold and rose petals. Fresh and quick. Easy, 20 minutes with about 300 g of flowers.
14. Star Lantern Rangoli with Hanging Tassels
A star-shaped akash kandil with tassels, just like the paper lanterns at the window. Medium, 35 minutes.
15. Sparkler Bursts Around a Small Diya
Five firework bursts in pink, green and gold around one diya. A fun idea for children. Easy, 25 minutes.
16. Blue Peacock Holding a Diya on Its Tail
A small blue peacock with a diya resting on its tail feathers. Medium, about 40 minutes, a pretty side design for the door.Special Kali Chaudas Rangoli with Kali Mata Symbols
This special kali chaudas rangoli group uses the symbols of Kali Mata: the trishul, red hibiscus and deep red with black. In Gujarati homes this is the kali chaudas ni rangoli made for protection at the door.
17. Kali Mata Trishul Between Two Hibiscus
A gold trishul stands between two red hibiscus flowers on a black circle. Medium, 35 minutes. Shade the petals dark at the base.
18. Red Hibiscus Mandala Rangoli for Kali Mata
Eight red hibiscus flowers form a round mandala. Make each flower with a spoon and finger. Medium, 45 minutes.
19. Copper Kalash with a Hibiscus Garland
A copper kalash with a garland of red hibiscus and a lemon on top. Medium, about 40 minutes.
20. Trishul Rangoli Before a Red Sun Disc
A trishul in front of a red sun disc with a black ring and white dots. A strong showpiece for a society. Hard, about 90 minutes.How to Make Easy Kali Chaudas Rangoli Designs
Kali Chaudas is a busy evening, with cleaning, sweets and lamps. Easy kali chaudas rangoli designs work best at 45 to 60 cm.
- Mark the centre with chalk and draw the main shape: a diya, a star or a trishul. Use a bangle for round shapes.
- Fill dark colours first. Navy, black and maroon look rich and make flames stand out.
- Fill orange and yellow for flames last, so dark powder does not fall on them.
- Outline with white powder from a cone. Keep the line thin.
- Leave small plain circles on the edge for real diyas, and set each diya on a steel lid.
Colours and Powder for Kali Chaudas Rangoli
| Design | Size | Powder needed | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon and chilli at the door | 45 cm | 100 g white, 50 g each of 4 colours | 15 min |
| Diya on a dark circle | 55 cm | 150 g white, 200 g navy, 100 g orange | 25 min |
| 14 diya circle | 75 cm | 250 g white, 5 colours x 100 g | 40 min |
| Trishul showpiece | 1.2 m | 500 g white, 6 colours x 200 g | 1.5 hours |
Red, black, deep blue, orange and yellow suit this night. Black powder shows dust, so sweep and wipe the floor well. For more lamp shapes, see our diya rangoli designs.
Safety with Lamps and Crackers
- Keep real diyas on the outer edge, never in the middle where people step.
- Keep dupattas, curtains and kids’ clothes away from flames.
- Burst crackers far from the rangoli: sparks scatter powder and can burn the floor.
- Wash hands after making rangoli, as many shop colours are synthetic.
- If you want a design that lasts until Bhai Dooj, try paint rangoli designs.
Common questions
Which rangoli is made on Kali Chaudas?
Small diya rangoli, a lemon and chilli string at the door, and Kali Mata symbols like a trishul or red hibiscus are the most common. A rangoli Kali Chaudas families love is one big diya on a dark circle with real lamps around it. It takes about 25 minutes.
Is Choti Diwali the same as Kali Chaudas and Narak Chaturdashi?
Yes, in most regions they are the same day, the day before Laxmi Pujan. In Gujarat it is called Kali Chaudas, in many places Narak Chaturdashi, and some call it Roop Chaudas. Choti Diwali rangoli is usually small, with diyas and protective patterns.
Can I draw Kali Mata's face in rangoli?
You can, but it is hard to draw well and easily smudged by feet. Most families prefer symbols: a trishul, red hibiscus flowers, a kalash with a hibiscus garland, and the colours red and black. These carry the same meaning and look neat.
Why do people light 14 diyas on Choti Diwali?
Chaudas means the fourteenth day, so many homes light 14 diyas in the corners of the house, at the door and near water. One lamp is kept facing south for Yama. A rangoli with 14 diya shapes or 14 empty circles for real lamps fits this custom.
What is a Roop Chaudas rangoli design?
Roop Chaudas is about the early bath with ubtan made of besan and haldi. A roop chaudas rangoli design shows a bowl of yellow ubtan, rose petals and a small lamp. Make it at dawn, about 50 cm, in yellow, pink and white.
Which colours suit Kali Chaudas rangoli?
Deep red, black, navy, orange and yellow. Dark backgrounds make diya flames glow, and red stands for Kali Mata. Add a white outline so the design stays clear. For kid-friendly colours and shapes, see rangoli designs for kids.
