Kolam by Sudha Balaji

Varalakshmi Vratham ( வரலட்சுமி விரதம் in Tamil ) , Varamahalakshmi Pooja ( ವರಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಪೂಜಾ in Kannada )  and వరలక్ష్మి వ్రతం  in Telugu  is a very popular festival for Goddess Lakshmi.  For me the preparations start on Thursday, the previous day.  Cleaning all the Pooja vessels and Pooja room takes a lot of time. On Thursday ,  I purchase all the flowers, fruits, kewda flowers, mango leaves for thoran and plantain plants for mantapa alankara. Hridaya kamalam is my most favourite rangoli for the mantapa.  We can draw Aishwarya Patra rangoli also. Neivedyam preparation starts early in the morning on Friday , around 4.30 am because the Pooja should commence before 10.30 am on Friday. The early bird is always lucky ,   so I thanked the Goddess because there was a general power shut down from 9 am to 5 pm.  If I had delayed naievedyam would have been affected..  Offerings include, appe payasa , ambode, rava idli The arrangement of fruits, Yamuna kalasam, diyas,

Traditional Varalakshmi Vratham Nombu saradu Take a string long enough to tie around a wrist. Dip it in turmeric powder mixed in water. Tie  nine knots for each saradu.For the central knot tie a flower or part of thazhampoo petal Make at least five for five sumangalis including the person performing the  Puja. Keep the saradu near Goddess Lakshmi in the mandapam.After the Puja ask another lady  to tie on your right hand.   The husband can also tie the saradu..Keep betel leaves , areca nut and  fruit in the  right hand while the saradu is tied. The saradu can be removed and offered to the plants preferably Tulsi plant after a few days. I retain the saradu till Navaratri The pictures below should give us an idea A related post - How to draw Goddess Lakshmi's Feet kolam 

How to decorate Goddess Lakshmi Face My sister bought Her Face from Kolhapur.  I requested her to buy two because there Goddess Laxmi's Face is beautiful and divine. Provisions are available to insert thread to tie the Face to the kalash. Also for Navarathri Goddess decoration Using different types of kundan stones and stone chain I have decorated the crown of Laxmi Devi A beautiful and big red stone adorns the crown above Her Forehead. I have used ear rings made by me, nose ring, mangal sutra and a small necklace using  craft items On the Forehead I have applied the traditional kumkum and kajal for the Eyes A close up view of Goddess Lakshmi .  Divine 🙏🙏

How to do Varalakshmi Amman Alangaram A simple idea.  shown below using craft ideas made at home.  The crown made from old CD and kundan stones.  The necklace has been made from saree lace. First draw a manai kolam on a plank , we can draw a kolam below it also Place a silver or brass vessel and fill with rice or wheat.  We can also spread out some rice below the vessel. Tie a readymade dress available in shops for Goddess Alankara.We can small and beautiful dresses Place a coconut.  This picture is just a demonstration.  When we actually do it smear with turmeric powder paste and apply kumkum. This Goddess Lakshmi Face my sister got it from Kolhapur Lakshmi temple. I have decorated Her Face with ear rings, necklace nose ring , jewels on the crown.  I have also used a mangalsutra, applied kajal and kumkum (on the Forehead ) This is a crown I made with decorative stones available in craft shops using an old CD. This garland is made from cotton and stones used are the

Also called fragrant screw pine in English, mugali puvvu in Telugu (the petals are called mugalirekalu ) In Hindi and  Marathi it is kewdais one of the most fascinating and fragrant flowers in nature.  It is regularly used in hair style decoration for Navratri kanya .  When we were young it was used quite often for bridal braid decoration as also for festivals and other functions. Traditional bridal decoration | Navratri decoration | Varalakshmi Nombu decorations Remove the outer thorny layers.  Careful because they can prick. As we go inside the layers become thinner and slender Remove the petals of the flower Cut the bottom of a petal with a pair of scissors Cut elements that are dovetail shaped Cut the pointed end at the top A collection of petals cut is ready as shown in the image below Sew with a fine needle and thread because the petals  are delicate and can  tear. Sew both sides so that the petal  elements hold on to the braid The