Aipan painting is the traditional form of Rangoli done by women of Kumaon hills, in Uttarakhand, Northern India. The word comes from Arpan, which means ""devot- ed offering"". No one knows how long women of Kumaon have been practicing this artform, but this is their way of expressing devotion to God.
Mothers used to teach Aipan paintings to their daughters and daughters-in-law. This painting traditionally was done with thick paste of white rice powder on brick red floors, at the entrance of the house, in the courtyard or at the place of worship. Each and every Aipan design has a particular meaning attached to it and is drawn for a specific purpose or occasion eg. Child birth, naming ceremony or wedding ceremony etc.
Aipan painting is known by different names in different places with slight variations- kolam in South India, Alpana in Bengal, Arichan in Bihar, Bhuggul in Andhra Pradesh, Saitya in Gujrat, Chowk Pooran in Uttar Pradesh and Made in Rajasthan.