By Festival
Kolams are an essential part of any celebration in India - be it any special occasion or a festival. Navrathri (the festival of the devis), Diwali (the festival of lights), and Pongal or Sankrathi (the festival of harvest) are some of the festivals celebrated with great pomp and show in India, and Kolams play a vital role in all of them.
These are the different kolam designs which look even more beautiful colored for special occasions. Often times, there're themes attached to the kolam patterns - the 'charriot design(ther kolam)' used during the festival season, and the 'girls kolam' which could be drawn for the navrathri festival.