An Indian Doorway - Toran
Deck up your doorway the Indian way!! Hand crafted creativity from indianselections.com - the site that changes with time keeping tradition in mind. www.indianselection.com launches hand crafted door decors (Torans)
A Little sunshine, a little rain, a fantastic
festival or the birth of a new baby - the grand Indian doorway does not need an
excuse to get decorated. Called the Toran, this Indian door hanging is all about
those who live within and those who visit. It is almost the first thing a
visitor sees even before the door to the house is opened. For a Toran hangs just
outside, as it is strung across the top of the frame that makes an Indian
doorway. You must remember here, that traditionally, Indian homes looked
inwards. One main doorway led to the courtyard that had rooms surrounding it.
The main door had to be made as welcoming as it possibly could so no guest felt
intimidated or spurned off by the lack of warmth in the household they were
visiting.
Some homes had a toran for every day of the week, while others changed theirs
every festive season. But, whatever the tradition, a true blue Indian home
always sprouted the Toran. Nobody really knows how it originated but for all
practical purposes this tradition has been around for ages - almost for as long
as a doorway has been in existence in India, a country known for its warmth. The
country's very culture is very guest friendly. A guest in this country is as
close to god as a human can get. Welcoming such a person into the warmth of a
home - however humble or spectacularly ostentations begins right at the doorway.
Since you never know when a guest will arrive, the front entrance is always
decorated with welcoming symbols and the Toran is a very important part of this
decor. Colorful and at most times traditionally adorned with flowers and
symbolic leaves, the doorway characteristically blesses every person that walks
under it showering them with an abundance of love, prosperity, health and
happiness.
Mango leaves normally get to the doors of Indian homes to herald the summer.
Their fresh, tangy fragrance fills the air, reminding those who pass through the
doorway of the fruit that is closest to the Indian heart. In the absence of the
real stuff, people use well crafted cloth substitutes to do the job.
Every time an occasion comes up, the Indian doorway is decorated afresh. Colours
are chosen with care, and the stringing begins. Bright yellows, oranges, reds
and greens come together in joyous glory, adding hues of splendor that cheer the
heart. While homes get the special treatment during festivals, other days are
important too, and more durable materials are used. Besides you never know when
that guest may arrive.
Each region in India has a unique theme to decorate the doorway. While in the
South, elite trader community homes have heavily carved rosewood or teak
doorways with the goddess of plenty, Lakshmi showering her goodwill on all who
pass under, homes in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan have the traditional
mirror work reflecting the region's creativity on their entrances. Mostly done
using geometric designs, doorway décor has undergone a lot of change. With
change comes innovation and the creativity residing within, soars. Different
materials, innovative designs replace the rather plain mango leaves and marigold
flowers. It is believed a door with a beautiful Toran serves a dual purpose. It
blesses those who pass under it and keeps the home it adorns prosperous and
joyous always. Somewhat like a fortune bamboo, it absorbs negative vibes, and
allows only the positive to pass through. Naturally then, the Toran gets soiled
and needs to be replaced with a fresh one ever so often. On a visit to India,
you will find all homes, especially during festive times sporting brand new
Torans - made of new materials. Each region has a unique way of expressing their
creativity and ways of welcoming good fortune. Delicate yet beautiful,
ostentatious and eye catching, the doorway reflects the style of those who
reside within. Some innovate, doing their doors up with crochet hangings, others
revel in fine needle work, while still others seek to express their creativity
using patchwork appliqués. At indianselections.com, we have ribbons, gold and
silver tissue, beads, gold rings, strings and more being used to give you
fabulous tradition, while welcoming prosperity and plenty in ways that are
inviting and innovative. We want lady luck to stay there even as she wonders
what you will come up with next.
Some entrances show off their creativity with streams of elephants embroidered
or appliquéd in a row, sometimes facing each other. The elephant, for the
uninitiated, signifies strength and is a very important aspect of the Hindu
religion because it is the vehicle of Lord Indra, king of gods.
Some homes love the symbolism and religious connotations, while others prefer
getting a whiff of nature on their doorways. Whatever be your preference, we at
http://www.indianselections.com have more than just a few options ready for
you. All you need to do is choose, click, order and it will be with you in just
a few days.
