A toran at the main door is one of the first things guests notice at Diwali. Traditionally it is meant to welcome good fortune, and a handmade one adds a personal touch that no store-bought piece can match. With Diwali just days away, there is still time to make one, and you do not need special skills or expensive materials. Here are five simple ideas that use flowers, fabric, paper and everyday items from around your home.
Before you hang it
Use thick paper so that the shapes do not curl, and let the paint dry fully before hanging. Measure your door first so that the toran fits neatly and does not block the entrance. If you want something that lasts the whole festive season, paper is a good option. Cut shapes from coloured cardstock, such as flowers, leaves, diyas or paisleys, and decorate them with glitter, sequins or gold paint. Punch a hole at the top of each shape and tie them to a long cord or ribbon, or arrange them in tiers on a strip of cardboard. Fold paper fans or small paper lanterns for added texture. Use a stable stool or ladder with someone holding it, and fix it with hooks, tape or nails, as suits your door. Keep any lights away from flowers and fabrics, and switch them off when you leave the house or go to bed. Make it a family activity, since the process is half the fun.
This is the classic choice, and it is the quickest to make. Gather marigold flowers, preferably in orange and yellow, and a few fresh mango leaves. Thread a long needle with strong cotton thread, and string the flowers and leaves alternately, leaving a little gap between each, until the string is as long as your door frame. Tie loops at both ends for hanging. Fresh flowers look and smell lovely, but they wilt in a day or two, so make it close to the festival and keep it out of direct sun. You can also add a few rose petals or a string of tiny bells. Old sarees, dupattas and scraps of embroidered fabric make beautiful torans. Cut a long strip of fabric to fit your door, and sew or glue on lace, mirror work, beads, tassels and small bells. For a hanging with a traditional look, cut scalloped or triangular shapes from bright fabric, such as red, yellow and green, and attach them along the lower edge. A bit of gold ribbon adds a festive shine. Fabric torans can be washed gently and stored for next year. This is an easy project to do with children. Wrap bright wool around a fork or piece of cardboard, tie it tightly in the middle, cut the loops and fluff the ends to make small pom-poms. Make a dozen or more in festive colours, and tie them along a long string with a few wooden or golden beads in between. Add tassels in the gaps for a playful look. Trim the pom-poms evenly so they hang neatly, and secure the knots well so they do not slip. This article is intended for general informational and craft purposes only. Results vary with the materials used and individual skill. Handle scissors, needles, glue guns and paint with care, and supervise children during crafts. Keep lit diyas, candles and electrical lights away from paper, fabric and dried flowers, and never leave them unattended. Use a stable ladder or stool when hanging decorations.
Use small unused clay diyas, painted bottle caps, old bangles or metal bells to create a unique piece. Paint plain clay diyas in bright colours, add gold dots or small stick-on stones, and leave them to dry. Thread them on a sturdy string alternating with beads and bells, or fix them to a wooden strip with strong glue. Decorative diyas used on a toran should not be lit, since flames near fabric, paper or dry flowers are a fire hazard. For a glowing effect, add a string of LED fairy lights nearby instead.
