Magadh Mahila College students take part in the rangoli competition on the campus in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Magadh Mahila College students on Tuesday left their books aside and allowed their colourful creative talents to take flights of fancy.

Around 50 students took part in the hour-long mehendi and rangoli competitions organised by the political science department.

They presented beautiful designs and patterns on the topics “Shiv-Parvati”, “the rainy season” and “nature”.

The students who took part in the competition claimed that they enjoyed every minute of it.

First-year bachelor of computer application student Sakshi Priya, one of the competitors, said: “I am very happy that such a competition has been organised by the college. Applying mehendi on the hands of my friends is one of my favourite hobbies.

She added: “I have been doing this since I was in school. Taking part in this competition was like reliving memories of mehendi-sessions with my friends. I really enjoyed every moment of it.”

She detailed her mehendi design with Shiv lingam, motifs of leaves, symbols of Om and faces of Lord Ganesh.

The organisers of the competition claimed that it was aimed to reveal the creative nature of students.

Political science head of the department Shashi Sharma told The Telegraph: “Competitions like this help to develop the talents of the students. We chose the themes keeping in mind the month of Shravan.”

She added that the designs of the students were marvellous. “Students have come up with beautiful designs in both the competitions. We are very happy with the enthusiasm on display.”