Varamahalakshmi habba decoration ideas

Varamahalakshmi festival / vratha / decoration of idol 

There are usually two methods of preparation of the idol for Puja 

a) One using a kalash and decorating it with mango leaves, garlands etc.

b) Etching the face of the Goddess on a kalash and decorating 

c) Making the idol at home using some ingenious methods and decorating the idol

The picture below shows how beautiful the idol looks after decoration

Take a tall plastic container and fill it with rice this will ensure stability due to the weight of the rice.  

On the top place a silver or brass kalash we use in our homes.  I have used the Ashtalakshmi kalasah.

After all it is believed that Varalakshmi is Ashtalakshmi personified.  

Bind them both with a binding tape.  Let the tape do a few rounds so that they hold tight.

We can use a craft stick  or pencil for the support for the sareee and garlands.  I have used a pencil because it readily available in our homes.  Tie it with woolen thread we use for tying garlands or crochet

Take a blouse piece - silk blouse piece or silk cotton or any blouse piece with border is preferable because it gives a grand appearance to the idol.
Place a thick thread across the blouse piece after spreading it out.  Place the thread at the centre , fold the blouse bit and pin both edges so that the thread stays put.

Now form pleats along the side of the thread by folding the cloth at regular intervals and fastening with pins.

Purchase a Goddess Lakshmi's face from the shops - there are many types available in the market and tie the face to the kalash as shown in the next picture.

Smear a coconut with turmeric powder , apply kumkum and place it in the kalash or kalasam

Tie the dress we have made to the idol

Use a bright and grand border for the pallu

Pin pallu at both ends to the dress so that it holds together.  The pallu is supported by the pencil we already tied to the kalasam.  Pallu is made from border that we can purchase from any shop selling sarees.  Since it is a grand festival celebrated with lot of religious fervour seeking the blessings of Lakshmi for our family we can try to go for grand saree and pallu and they will not cost much. Ready made saree and pallu are also available we can make use of them also.  
When we craft things ourselves how ever simple they may be , we get a lot of mental satisfaction and this is true particularly for festivals because we get involved a lot preparing and celebrating.  Many of us wait for the arrival of the festival season that starts in the month of Sravan.

Decorating the idol with ear rings will enhance the beauty of the idol and divinity too.  Usually provision is there in the idol or we can make the provision for fixing the ear rings.

Decorate with crown  and then garlands - the garlands rest on the pencil.  Artificial plaits that are available in the market are decorated with stones and supported using the coconut.  The crown with thick  cardboard and kundan stones can be crafted at home or can be purchased from the market.

Along with dundu malli we can have artificial garlands and other types of fresh flower garlands using flowers available in the season .

In countries like USA where they find it difficult to get a perfect coconut we can use artificial ones made from dried coconut that are given as gifts during weddings.  Also we can use ready made dress that are available for this Habba.  The picture below with  this method. The video 👉here shows how we can make a simple floral decoration instead of artificial plaits for the decoration.  This is usually suitable for the kalash because it is made with a craft stick , the length of which is suitable for a kalash.  For an idol we should try with two sticks tied together to increase the length.

Take craft stick, tie a woolen thread to one end.  Place a chrysanthemum flower on the stick , pass the thread around the stick and across the flower and pull the string to hold the flower.  Place the next flower above the first and repeat the steps.  When we near  the other end of the stick tie another knot to hold the flowers together.  We can stick kundan stones for more decoration.  View the video if you still have some doubts.
  Gejje vastra or cotton garland

Apart from traditional cotton garland we use for festivals , we can create some gejje vastra designs using our imagination.
For the vastra in the images below, we need,
cotton that is used for Puja
fabric glue, milk or water
Decorative trinkets and thread or string

Separate the cotton into two lengths.  Avoid any other cotton , use cotton that is sold for Puja purposes

Use milk or water to form cotton ball - we can have eighteen or twenty four depending upon the  length we need.  Milk or water allow us to work with cotton easily.

The haara so formed is made into two as shown in the image.  The narrow points are fastened using decorative trinkets and glue

The ball portion is decorated with a different set of trinkets.  The result a beautiful  cotton haara

To the two edges are fastened decorative strings so that we can tie the haara to the idol or kalash.

For Varalamahalakshmi Habba 2018 | Varamahalakshmi festival 2018

I have added the traditional rangoli with lines for this post.  This is a classical padi kolam only so far as the square pattern is concerned.  Then  I have added free hand patterns  on all four sides.  If you watch closely you can find birds designs at the four corners each looking cute with a single crown and that is an inspiration from the beautiful bird of paradise.