In any Hindu family, putting Rangoli in front of the house or making huge decorative Rangoli during festivals is a common practice. Even when some auspicious Pooje is performed at home, its common for the priest to create mandala rangoli and special rangoli around the homa kund and other practices. Traditionally Rangolis are made from the following materials: Rice flour, White stone powder, Kumkum, Turmeric, flower petals, red sand etc. Most of these materials are eco-friendly and doesnt cause much harm to environment.
But now in recent years, people have started using glitters in our traditional practice of making rangolis. Although these Rangolis looks vibrant and colorful with these glitter powders, but later when these rangolis are washed away or disposed, they harm the soil or water with harmful micro-plastics.
Glitters are typically made from plastic and aluminum to create thin, reflective sheets that are cut into small pieces. These glitter powder often contains polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, which causes it to break into microplastics and can pollute aquatic habitats or the fertility of the soil.
Understanding the harmful nature of these glitters, it becomes our responsibility of not using Glitters in our religious practices.
