Varalakshmi Vratam!!

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Namo Narayana!Please find an article of Varalakshmi Vratam.Varalakshmi Vratam, Varamahalakshmi Festival 2009

 

varalakshmi vratam

Varalakshmi Vratam is an important pooja performed by many women in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and some parts of Tamil Nadu.The Hindu festival going by the name ‘Vara Lakshmi Vratam‘ is celebrated on the last Friday of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashadham, also called Adi, which corresponds to the English months of July-August.

Vara Mahalakshmi Vratam is a sacred day in Hinduism. More commonly known as “Varalaksmi Vrathaâ€

is performed by Married Hindu ladies on the Friday just before the full

moon day in the month of “Sravana†– July/August- according to Hindu

calendar. This is an important “Vrathaâ€, meaning a vowed religious

observance in Sanskrit.

“Varamahalakshmi Vratha†is performed more commonly

in Southern Indian States of Andhra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and also in

parts of Maharashtra and Orissa.

Puja is performed by married Hindu women to seek the blessings of

goddess Mahalakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu, who is considered to be the

abode of wealth and prosperity. There is a legend that says that this

vratam was recommended by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati to gain wealth

and prosperity. There is also another legend that tells us the story of

a very pious lady Charumati who was asked by goddess Varalakshmi, in

her dream, to do the vratam in-order to fulfill her wishes. She

performed the vratam along with other ladies in her village with a lot

of devotion. They offered the deity lots of delicacies and once the

vratam was completed, they were amazed to find their bodies decked with

expensive jewels and their homes full of riches. From then on, women

started performing this vratam every year seeking wealth and prosperity

in their families. Varalakshmi vratam is usually performed in the month

of Sravan on the Friday preceding the full moon day. Those who cannot

perform it on that day, can do it on any other Friday in that month.

Women clean their homes and decorate their front yards with rangolis

(colorful designs traced on the floor) on the day of Varalakshmi

vratam. Later, they take a bath and deck themselves with beautiful

clothes and jewelery. They then begin the process of performing the

vrata by first arranging the kalasha or the sacred pot. They fill the

pot with rice and water which symbolize prosperity and cover it with

mango and betel leaves. They then place a coconut smeared with turmeric

and vermallion on the kalasha and also decorate the coconut with a new

cloth. Some people decorate the kalasha with many kinds of jewels to

make it look more beautiful. They place this kalasha on a plate filled

with rice. The main pooja begins by worshiping Lord Ganesha who is

believed to drive away all obstacles and evil forces. Later, goddess

Mahalakshmi is invoked into the kalasha. They then worship a couple of

torams (a bunch of nine threads with nine knots) and tie one to the

kalasha while the other one is tied around the right hand wrist of the

lady performing the pooja. Later, they chant the Lakshmi Ashtottara

Shatanamam (a list of hundred names in praise of the deity) with a lot

devotion. They then offer the goddess nine varieties of delicacies

including both sweets and savories. In conclusion of the vratam, they

sing hymns in praise of goddess Varalakshmi and also invite another

married woman assuming her to be goddess Varalakshmi and offer her

sweets. That evening, they invite all the neighboring laides to their

homes and offer them tamboolam (an offering consisting of betel leaves,

fruits, betel nuts, vermillion, turmeric and dakshina [money]). They

also collectively sing songs in praise of goddess Varalakshmi.Warm Regards,S.Swaminathan “Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.†- Abdul Kalam