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Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam recently hosted an enthusiastic and devout celebration of the Varalakshmi Vratam festival, dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi.
The centerpiece of the celebration was the beautifully adorned central dais where the Goddess was venerated. More than 80 women, under the guidance of priests, participated in the elaborate Varalakshmi Vratam ritual, creating a spectacular sight.
The ceremonial proceedings commenced with a splendid performance by a Thavil-Nadaswaram troupe. The worship took place within the meticulously decorated Sadashivam hall at the Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam. The hall’s curtains were drawn to reveal an intricately carved wooden sculpture of Goddess Mahalakshmi, embellished with exquisite vastram (clothing) and aabharanam (ornaments). Adjacent to the deity stood the customary kalasha, and the stage was adorned with a profusion of flowers, including a garland of pink lotuses. Various offerings, such as coconut and lentils (paruppu tengai koodu), puffed rice balls, and sugar candies, were presented to the goddess.
The puja commenced with the lighting of the lamp, followed by the sankalpa (sacred vow) and the invocation of Lord Ganesha’s blessings through the Ganapati puja. The proceedings included pujas dedicated to the Yamuna river, Goddess Lakshmi, and the sacred Gante. Women and girls from neighboring villages participated in the festivities, offering akshata (sacred rice) and chants to express their devotion to the Goddess.
The air was filled with melodic enchantment as the Nadaswaram troupe played ragas like Mohanam, Bhairavi, Shankarabharanam, Nagamouli, and Kalyani as a musical tribute to the Goddess. The event continued with the recitation of the Varamahalakshmi stotram (hymn) and katha (story), followed by prokshanam (sprinkling of holy water) and naivedyam (offering of sacred food).
The grand celebration reached its conclusion with an honoring of the priest, followed by devotional bhajans, mangala aarthi, and the distribution of prasadam.
