Kolams or muggulu are thought to bring prosperity to homes. In millions of households in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and other states in India, women draw kolams in front of their home entrance every day at the break of dawn. Traditionally kolams are drawn on the flat surface of the ground with white rice flour.

Instead of rice flour (Tamil: கோலமாவு/Telugu: బియ్యం పిండి), white stone powder is occasionally used for creating Kolam. cow dung is also used to wax the floors.
In some cultures, cow dung is believed to have antiseptic properties and hence provides a literal threshold of protection for the home.

The rice powder also invites birds and other small creatures to eat it, thus welcoming other beings into one's home and everyday life, a daily tribute to harmonious co-existence. It is a sign of belief to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to enter the house, the goddess of prosperity and wealth.

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