Local Hindus All Geared Up Celebrating Varamahalakshmi Vrata/Puja
Mangaluru: Today, August 24 is Varamahalakshmi Vrata or Varalakshmi Nombu, a festival to propitiate the Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (“Vara”). It is an important puja performed by many women in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. The Hindu festival going by the name ‘Vara Mahalakshmi Vrata’ is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before the day of the full moon – Poornima – in the month of Sravana, which corresponds to the Gregorian months of July–August. And in Kudla, Hindus are all geared to but flowers, fruits, sweets, and all other items required for the feast. People, especially women thronged Kudrili and Marigudi Temples to celebrate the Feast. Women were given a bag containing a Rose, sweets, Thread, etc while exited the temple.
Varamahalakshmi Vrata is performed by the married woman (Sumangalis) for the well being of all their family members, especially the husband, to get progeny etc. It is believed that worshipping the Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Wisdom, Love, Fame, Peace, Pleasure, and Strength. Due to the rising popularity of this holy day in some states, it is now being declared as an optional official holiday in India.
Sources reveal that, on this occasion, women worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion offering fruits, sweets and flowers, usually a kalasam (representing the deity) will be decorated with a saree, flowers and gold jewelry with offerings placed in front. A rakshai/saradu (sacred thread) is among the offerings and adorned on the wrists of women after the pooja has been completed. This is worn to signify protection and piety, and several articles are given as gifts and charity to Sumangalis in good faith. This pooja can be performed with no restriction to caste or creed. To this day, many women observe this traditional festival praying to Varamahalakshmi for her blessings in the form of wealth and well being of their family.
Eight forces or energies are recognized and they are known as Siri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvathi (Wisdom), Preethi (Love), Keerthi (Fame), Shanthi (Peace), Santhushti (Pleasure) and Pushti (Strength). Each one of these forces is called a ‘Lakshmi’ aka All the eight forces combined are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus.
Vishnu is also called ‘Ashtalakshmi Pathi’ which is equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight Lakshmis or forces. In fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe radiates these forces from him. These forces are personified and worshipped as Lakshmis, since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary people. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to obtain these three. This festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husband and children.
As the legend goes, this is a pooja that was pronounced by no other than Lord Parameswara to be performed by his consort Parvathi to seek prosperity and happiness for the family. Thus it came to be emulated by married women who sought boons (varam) for the health, wealth and knowledge for the entire family. In some cases, women prayed for being blessed with children. The prescribed day for the pooja is the Friday of the month of Sravan in the fortnight known as Sukla paksha, preceding the full moon day.
Inputs from: The Wikipedia