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||Sarva mangala maangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike|
SharaNyetryambake devii naaraayaNii namostute ||
This is the shloka which people chant while they perform
the Lakshmi puja |
 Falling
this year on August 3, Vara Mahalakshmi Vrata as it is popularly
known in Karnataka, is observed on a Friday prior to Shravana
Poornima (Full Moon Day). Sumangalis (women whose husbands
are alive) perform this puja for invoking the blessings of Lakshmi.
The older parts of the city like Malleswaram, Akkipet, Chamarajpet,
Basavanagudi, Sampangiramnagar, etc., wear a festive look on
this day, with the women folk dressed in all their traditional
finery, visiting other houses in the neighbourhood. The markets
in these areas are crowded with festival shoppers.
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 consi dered
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.
I n
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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