Nandyavarta flower garland for Varalakshmi Vratham idol alankaram | Navratri decoration
Place two flowers in opposite directions and tie with woollen thread
Place the next flower, thread goes below, tie flower and the two stalks
Place the next flower, thread foes below, tie this flower and the two stalks. Similarly follow the procedure as shown in the pictures below. The text is also given in the images.
Chandni flower or phool stringing step by step photos
In our times i.e few decades back, these flowers were plucked after they had fully bloomed. We were forbidden to remove buds from the plants. Nowadays these flowers are plucked even when they are buds. This is because it is used for bridal hair decoration.
Usually, jasmine is worn on the hair by brides. Since jasmine is seasonal, these days nandyavattai is used since it is available in all seasons. The advantage is that gajra made from with this poo is almost weightless.
Tip - If we string a garland using buds, they will not bloom into flowers
There three times of nandyavarta - single layer, adukku nandyavattai (with single and double layer). Single layer is preferred to make gajra. I came to know that it is also called carnation of India
When we use buds, it is easy to spray colours to match the saree and jewellery. As they say - the old order changes yielding place to the new.
This is one of the
traditional methods of tying these flowers. Some temples particularly Raghavendra Swami Mutt do not accept flowers tied with thread. I think they allow us to offer garlands strung with woollen thread. I offer garlands strung with
vazhai naaru .
I have nostalgic memories of stringing flowers in my hometown, Omalur near Salem in Tamil Nadu.
The flower vendor had her own floral garden. Every day she brought flowers from her garden in the afternoon around 3 pm. My elder sisters strung (tied) the flowers, and I learnt observing them.
On some days if the vendor did not turn up, I went to her garden and plucked the flowers from the plants (with her permission). I had to walk through the fields to reach the place, and the soft and gentle afternoon breeze was divine.
Another memory of Omalur - there were quite a few monkeys moving around and enjoying themselves. They climbed up the coconut trees, plucked the coconuts, while running away dropped a couple of them. It was my job to remove the husk so that we could open them and drink the delicious ilaneer (in Tamil).
Another garland idea with this flower and red oleander flowers. I keep trying different flower combinations, usually it is in the evening at 7.30 pm or after dinner while my husband is busy with the blog. Of course, before writing anything on the blog or making any updates he shows it to me and takes my approval :)
This article may have information on nandiyavattai malai, nanthiyavattai flower garland also.
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