How to Make Decorative Torans for Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends, and one of the best ways to prepare your home is by creating beautiful torans—decorative garlands that hang above doorways. If you're between 8 and 11 years old, this is a perfect craft project you can do yourself or with a little help from an adult.

What You'll Need

• Coloured paper or card stock
• Scissors
• Glue stick or craft glue
• String or ribbon
• Markers or coloured pencils
• Optional: sequins, stickers, or dried flowers

Step 1: Cut Your Shapes

Start by cutting out shapes from your coloured paper. Traditional torans often feature flowers, leaves, and geometric patterns. Try cutting out circles, diamonds, or leaf shapes. Don't worry if they're not perfect—handmade charm is part of the beauty!

Step 2: Decorate Your Pieces

Use markers to add patterns, dots, or lines to your cut-out shapes. You can draw simple designs like stripes, spirals, or small flowers. If you have sequins or stickers, stick them on for extra sparkle and colour.

Step 3: Arrange Your Toran

Lay out all your decorated pieces on a flat surface to plan your design. Think about how you want to arrange them—you might alternate colours, create a pattern, or mix different shapes together.

Step 4: Glue Everything Together

Once you're happy with your arrangement, glue each piece onto your string or ribbon. Space them evenly so your toran looks balanced. Let the glue dry completely before hanging.

Step 5: Hang Your Toran

Ask an adult to help you hang your finished toran above a doorway or window in your home. It's a wonderful way to welcome Ganesh and bring festive cheer to your space.

Making your own toran is a fun way to be part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and create something special for your home. Enjoy the process, and be proud of your colourful creation!