Significance, How & Why Vara Lakshmi Vratam is celebrated in Shravana Masam || By Dr. Akella Vibheeshana Sharma...
We give special importance to the month of Sravana,
'Sravana sukravaraalu' and the 4 Tuesdays are called the 'Sravana mangalavaralu'. These days women wake up early in the morning to worship the Godess. The 2nd Friday of this month is celebrated as the "Varalakshmi Vratam" as this falls under the most auspicious day of 'Pournami' in the 'Suklapaksha'. This is mainly celebrated by married women (Muttaiduvulu). By performing this 'Vratam'(ritual) they enjoy the grace and favour of the godess and also the blessing for a wealth and happiness, children. Today the women wake up early in the morning, before sunrise, take head bath and prepare 'Nivedyam' (offering to Gods) and duly clean the puja room and establish the 'kalasam' in it. Then a replica of Godess Lakshmi in goldor silver or any other metal according to availability is placed over the kalasam and 'Astottaram' and the story of the vratam is recited. Then naivedyam is offered to the godess each of five and in the evening, five married women are invited to the house to receive 'tambulam'. Thus the 2nd friday of sravana masam is celebrated. If one could not celebrate this on the 2nd friday, any friday will do.
The Tuesdays are good for celebrating 'Mangala Gouri Vratam' these are also called the 'Mangalavaram Nomulu'. Women who observe this 'Nomu' wake up early before sunrise and take bath with turmeric and other auspicious items and decorating the puja room will place kalasam and decorate it with a covering of Goddess Mangala Gouri.
After performing puja a thread soaked in turmeric water is tied around one's wrist. In the evening we give haarati and congrigation of women is gathered where they sing praises of the Godess. Then the story of the Mangala Gouri is recieted. The Godess is decorated with the seasonal fruits and offered nivedyam of 'Aviri kudumulu' which are a light and healthy snack. Everything is offered in fives. For those women who enjoy the grace and favour of both VaraLakshmi and Godess Mangala Gouri do not suffer the lose of their husbands and live with health and happiness.
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