TIRUPATI: The Aasthana Mandapam at the sacred abode of Goddess Padmavathi Devi in Tiruchanoor witnessed a fervent and devout observance of the Varalakshmi Vratam festival on Friday.
The ceremonial deity of Goddess Padmavathi Devi was seated at the beautifully adorned Ananda Nilaya Astalakshmi Vrata Mandapam.
The Varalakshmi Vratam, following the traditions of Pancharathra Agama, was performed by the priests in a grand spectacle.
In this festive ritual, nine distinct forms of the foddess were invoked, represented by nine holy threads. These forms included Kamala Rama, Loka Matre, Vishwajanani, Mahalakshmi, Khseerabditanaya, Vishwasakshiny, Chandrasahodary and Hari Vallabha.
As part of the ceremony, the holy thread was tied to the deity's hand after chanting "Torana Devtabhyo Namaha;" and the Vrata Kalpam was recited by the priests.
Archaka Srinivasan carried out the Vratam according to the Bhavishyottara Puranam, while temple priest Babu Swamy recited the shlokas.
The event saw the participation of over a thousand devotees; and more pilgrims who gathered at Tiruchanoor witnessed the grand religious spectacle on large LED screens placed around the temple.
After the darshan, the devotees were blessed with Prasadams of Ammavaru. The female devotees were given packages containing vermilion, turmeric, a holy thread, the Sri Mahalakshmi Stotram book, and bangles.
The presiding deity was adorned in a golden saree, radiating Her blessings upon the devotees. The evening witnessed the Swarna Ratham procession, between 6 pm and 7 pm.
The festival's focal point was the stage, which captivated devotees for nearly three hours. With a contribution from a Chennai donor, the garden wing of TTD adorned the stage with over two tonnes of flowers and 20,000 cut flowers.
Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, the chairman of TTD, participated in the Vratam. He remarked that the event bestowed prosperity upon humanity. Karunakar Reddy expressed his gratitude for the seamless distribution of Annaprasadam and water as also ensuring a hassle-free darshan experience for the devotees.
The famous Durga Malleswara Temple precincts on the hilltop Indrakeeladri were full with devotees on the occasion of Varalakshmi Vratam in Vijayawada on Friday. As it was the second Friday of Sravan month, the Durga temple on the hilltop Indrakiladri was flooded with devotees. The temple authorities conducted special kumkumarchans for the goddess Durga. The temple priests performed 31 types of special pujas to Durgamma.
Durga temple executive officer D. Brahmaramba said the large crowds of devotees were present since the early morning hour. She added that on September 8, the fourth Friday of Sravan month, a mass Varalakshmi Vratam will be held free of charge.
The city of Visakhapatnam was gripped by devotion as the Varalakshmi Pooja, on a day dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, was celebrated with piety on Friday. The auspicious occasion saw the participation of numerous devotees, who took rounds of various temples to seek the blessings of Goddess Varalakshmi.
The Varalakshmi Puja held a special significance. People believe it brings blessings from Goddess Lakshmi for families to be happy and successful. The celebrations enlivened many temples in the city. These temples were beautifully decorated with flowers.
The city's renowned temples, including the Simhachalam Temple, the Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple, and the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, witnessed large turnout of devotees. In every temple, Goddess Lakshmi appeared incredibly beautiful, having been adorned with stunning jewellery and colourful silk sarees.
Varalakshmi Puja, celebrated on the second Friday of the Sravana month, holds immense significance for Hindus. It is believed that observing this ritual with devotion brings prosperity, happiness and success to one's life.
As the day drew to a close, devotees left the temples with a sense of contentment and renewed hope, believing that their prayers and devotion to Goddess Varalakshmi would bring about positive changes in their lives.
The Varalakshmi Varatam festival was celebrated in a grand manner in erstwhile Godavari districts. Some of the temples and organisations held massive Varalakshmi Vratams and thousands of women devotees performed Kumkum poojas and Lakshmi Poojas in the temples as well as at their homes.
The famous Lord Bala Tripura Sundari at Kakinada was decorated with a Golden Sari. The Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam organised Varalakshmi Vratham poojas.
Meanwhile, on the eve of Varalakshmi Vratham festival, traders hiked the flower prices from Rs 100 to Rs 250 per kilo at the Sarpavaram market from Thursday evening to Friday afternoon. On the evening of Friday, the prices fell to Rs 30 per kilo.
Kakinada rural MLA Kurasala Kannababu attended the pooja programmes in several temples in Kakinada rural constituency. The Kadiam flower market fetched crores in turnover in the two days. Many flowers have been brought to Godavari districts from Bengaluru.
