Jiya's Delicacy: Varalakshmi Poojai/ Varalakshmi viratham

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Varalakshmi Poojai/ Varalakshmi viratham

Varalakshmi pooja Or viratham is a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (Varam). It is an important pooja performed by many women in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and North Tamil Nadu. The Hindu festival going by the name 'Vara Lakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before full moon day - Poornima in the month of Śravaṇā, also called Śawan in Hindi and Aadi in Tamil which corresponds to the English months of July–August.

Varalakshmi Vrata is performed by married woman for the well being of all the family members, especially husband, to get progeny etc. It is believed that worshiping Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshiping Ashtalaksmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Learning, Love, Fame, Peace, Pleasure, and Strength. Because of the popularity in some states of India, it is declared as an optional official holiday in India, says Wiki.. This info is in general.

How we celebrate at house, me and my MIL start to prepare it from before a week. Planning to buy things, cleaning house, washing the lamps, buying silk saree for goddess Lakshmi, etc.

We decorate the door by putting flowers in the entrance door and tying mavilai thoranam.

This was in Bangalore house. All the neighbours and the street mates used to put kolam the previous day night itself.

Then we start the along arm of the Ambal in our pooja room. We tired vazhamaram in the entrance of the pooja room. We buy a silk spree every year for goddess Lakshmi. Flowers to decorate and worship her. Decorate her with jewels.

We invite Lakshmi by lighting lamps, put colour kolam outside the pooja room. It looks divine by itself with her beauty.

The Amman face is kept on the kalasam, kalasam consists of nuts, inclusive of badam, cashew, dried dates, raisins. We add turmeric , kumkum, 9 coins, kalkandu or sugar. We also add little rice to it.

My daughter is getting ready with meridians on her hand, she likes to wear patty pavadai and me and my MIl wore silk saree.

These are the offerings to God, we keep a achu vellam and koppara thenga to God. We keep money in the pooja. We offer fruits.

That's my kid who worship God and poses to my snaps.

We invite all the neighbourhood ladies and kids and give them thambulam( vethala pakku parham, thenga) ! We also visit other houses and worship the God and receive thambulam!