A sacred pattern is made on the floor, and in the centre is placed a silver or bronze pot overflowing with rice. It is a familiar sight at pujas and other Hindu ceremonies.

A coconut is perched atop the mound of rice, with its crown pointing upwards and fringed by a circular fan of mango leaves. The pot is then ringed by a piece of new cloth.

The pot is the kalasha, the sign of auspiciousness and prosperity. The pattern on which it is placed is the mandala, a sacred symbol. Thekalasha is an important part of invocations and pujas. As a symbol of prosperity, it also represents Goddess Lakshmi and is central to Varamahalakshmi Vrata (which literally means 'fast in honour of Lakshmi, the giver of boons').
Lakshmi is not just the goddess of material wealth. She is also the source of beauty and grace, health and love. As Maya, she also represents the faculties of wisdom and happiness.

Goddess Lakshmi symbolises eight forces, which are considered the protecting power of Vishnu. They represent Sri (wealth and fortune), Bhu (earth), Vidya (learning), Preeti (love), Keerti (fame), Shanti (peace), Tushti (pleasure) and Pushti (strength. Together they are called Ashta (eight) Lakshmi and go by the individual names Vara Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Aishwarya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santhana Lakshmi and Vijaya Lakshmi.

The practice of Varamahalakshmi Puja goes back many centuries, and its merits are praised in the Skanda Purana. It is observed on the Friday before Shravan Purnima (full moon in August-September) by women to ensure longevity for their husbands and to beget healthy, good-natured and intelligent children.

The women have a ritual bath, usually before sunrise, and then pay homage to the kalasha. After this comes the worship of Ganesha, which is always performed before anything auspicious is undertaken.

In fact, even where the main object of worship is some other god, it is always Ganesha who is invoked first as he is Vighneshwara, or the god who removes obstacles.

After the worship of Ganesha, the Varamahalakshmi Puja begins. Lakshmi is invoked and asked to bless a sacred thread drawn through turmeric paste or dipped in turmeric solution.

After Lakshmi's blessings, the thread becomes a raksha, or protective charm, and the women performing the puja wear it on their right wrists.

The rest of the day is spent fasting, meditating, chanting, or reading sacred books. The fast is broken at night.

Source: Festivals of India and others Compiled by Deepa

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