Festive Creativity!

Last Friday, on August 28, I performed, Varalakshmi puja at my home. Every year, I look forward towards decorating the Varalakshmi devi (The Goddess of Boons) and try to be creative. For more information about this wonderful tradition check my blog post at:https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4303195915708670428#editor/target=post;postID=5754354575422591668;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=1;src=postname

Varalakshmi puja at my home

Puja at my mother's (Mrs. Ramani) place

Puja at my sister's (Parimala) home

Puja performed at Meenakshi and Manasa's place. Special credit to my cousin, Ramji bava

Puja at Anuradha Suri's home

And every year, I am amazed and inspired by the creativity of many of the South Indian women who perform this pooja too, by decorating their Varalakshmi devi with great enthusiasm and zest.

Here is a glimpse at some of the beautifully decorated Varalakshmi idols. I was visited some of their houses, last Friday and witnessed their creativity! And some more which I happened to come across via their posts on Facebook…

Puja at Prasad aunty's place

Puja at Kasturi aunty and Poornima's home.

The magnificent devi!

Puja at Kirshnamoorthy aunty's place

Decorated with flowers...

The Goddess of boons!

Puja at Bhanu Peri's home

Beautifully decorated rangoli!

In rich splendour...

In grandiose splendour!

Jai Varalakshmi Devi !!

Note: Sorry for not being able to list the names of few of the creative women!

Varalakshmi Vratham

Every ‘Shravan’ season (which usually occurs in July or August) I look forward towards the occasion of Varalakshmi Vratham puja. This is one puja which I diligently perform.

Varalakshmi Vratham is a festival wherein married women perform the Varalakshmi (Goddess who bestows boons = Lakshmi devi) puja.

Varalakshmi puja at my house.

This ritual is celebrated in most parts of South India, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. And was observed, on August 8, this year.

It usually occurs on the second Friday or the Friday before the full moon in the Shravan season. 

This puja is performed  to seek Varalakashmi devi’s blessings for the well being of the family and prosperity.

I love to decorate the Goddess on this day. 

The decorated Goddess!

And am amazed at the creativity of many talented women , who take great efforts to decorate the Devi, beautifully!

Here are some of the Varalakshmi devi’s, decorated, as part of the Vratham celebration at various households. 

Varalakshmi devi in her grandeur, at my mother's place.

The Goddess of Wealth! Puja at my sister, Parimala's house.

The Devi in resplendent glory! At my dear friend, Gayathri's house.

Decorated Devi at Deepthi's place (my neighbor and pal) 

Jai Varalakshmi Devi !!