Varalakshmi Vratham Blends Rituals With Community Singing
Traditional rituals, group singing and festive gatherings mark the auspicious Friday
Hyderabad: Varalakshmi Vratham was celebrated on Friday, with women performing traditional rituals at homes and temples from early morning. The celebrations also saw increased gatherings at homes and group singing after the rituals.
Women dressed in traditional attire offered prayers to Goddess Lakshmi on the Friday of Sravanam, considered an auspicious day for worship. Houses and temples were decorated for the occasion.
At several places, women gathered at homes for the rituals and later took part in group singing. Sumithra Rajkumar, a resident of Banjara Hills, said, “It was a wonderful experience. The women who were invited joined in the singing, creating the atmosphere of an ‘urban baithak’. They sang traditional Telugu and Hindi songs, and this year we have seen similar gatherings at several places.”
Social media was also filled with reels and short videos of women singing songs and offering praises to the Goddess. Videos of group singing were also posted.
Lalitha, a devotee from Chaitanyapuri, has been performing Varamahalakshmi Vratham at her home for nearly two decades. She said Kalasha Sthapana is the most significant part of the vratam as it symbolises Goddess Lakshmi herself.
“After offering prayers to Lord Ganesh, we perform the Varamahalakshmi Vratham, with the kalash as the central element of the puja,” she said.
Lalitha said the Kalasha Sthapana is performed using a decorated silver pot filled with water, turmeric and coins, along with mango leaves and a coconut. The kalash is invoked as the seat of Goddess Lakshmi for the duration of the puja.
As part of the rituals, Paramannam, a sweet dish, is prepared and offered to the Goddess as prasadam. Lalitha said Tambulam, consisting of betel leaf, betel nuts and fruits, along with a saree and blouse piece, is offered as vayanam to at least five Suvasini, or married women.
“We also visited a nearby temple with our family to seek the Goddess’s blessings,” she added.
Devotees believe that observing Varamahalakshmi Vratham with faith brings prosperity, good health, happiness, children’s well-being, education, success, peace and spiritual strength to the household.