India. A land of diversity, and different cultures, and unique lifestyles. A place where everyone is different, and knows the world differently.
And yet, we are not divided.
Diverse, but unified. Contrasting cultures, in harmony. Unique, but toget...
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Lakshmi is the beloved consort of Lord Vishnu, one among the Trinity. She is the goddess with eight manifestations i.e., Ashta Lakshmi. She is the goddess of wealth and resides over its eight sources: prosperity, fertility, good fortune, good health, knowledge, strength, progeny, and power.
Varamahalakshmi vratam or Varamahalakshmi festival is celebrated on the second Friday or the Friday before full moon day (poornima) in the month of Shraavana. On this auspicious day, people, especially from South India and Uttar Pradesh, worship the goddess of wealth for wealth to be always blessed throughout every year.
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Hindus decorate the goddess' idol with gold jewellery and place some amount of money near the idol as they want to be blessed with wealth! Especially girls during this festival are no less competitive to the idol with getting ready and decking up. For tradition lovers, it is the best divine sight with rituals and discipline.
Even though the society is kinda still male dominated, it isn't the same with gods, because goddesses seek purity and complete descencey and excellent discipline. This vratam is practiced only by the women.
Early in the morning after taking bath, women make a rangoli on the place where the kalasha is placed. They draw a lotus with 8 petals. The sacred Kalasha (brass/copper/silver) filled with rice, topped with fresh mango leaves and a coconut, and wrapped in cloth are placed on the mandala and Lakshmi is invoked. The goddess is invoked by decorating the Kalasa with flowers, jewelry, vastra (new clothes – saree) fruits, dry fruits, fresh grains, sweets, and savouries. Some place coins or rupee notes or make a garland of notes.
The Vratha is performed with the beginning of Puja to Lord Ganesha. Then the main worship of Varalakshmi begins. The raksha is worshipped for a second time and tied to the right hand of the woman. In South India, Savouries like obattu, kosumbari, puliyogare, huli anna, hesaru bele payasa are made on this festival.
In the evening, women visit other houses and exchange sweets and offerings.
The importance or significance of the Varalakshmi Vrata was narrated by LordShiva to Goddess Parvathi in Skanda Purana. Those who perform this Vratam is blessed with Dhana (food), Dhanya (food), Aayush (Long life), Aarogya (health), Aishwarya (wealth), Santana (progeny), and Soubhagya (long life of husband).
According to the legend, once a lady named Charumathi lived in the Maratha kingdom. A pious lady, she indulged in whole hearted worship of the Goddess and took good care of her family – respectful to her in-laws, loving and caring for her husband and children. One day, she dreamt about Goddess Lakshmi telling her to perform the puja. She, with the consent of her family, performed this Vratam and informed the other ladies too. With the blessings of the Goddess, she, her family and friends were bestowed with success and wealth. Henceforth, they shared their luck with many more people.
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With the blessings of both Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, one can find peace and prosperity in one's life.
May everyone gets blessed with good health and luck.
