VaraLakshmi Devi Ammavari Alankaram

Varalakshmi Vratham is a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Varalakhmi is one who grants boons (Varam). Every year I have performed the Vratham by just placing a kalasam but this year decided of decorating the idol. Below are the few pictures that were taken during the alankaram.

Things needed to do the ammavari alankaram

1) Ammavari face (I have got the silver one from India)

2) Kalasam (Vendi Chambu)

3) Coconut

4) Red Nailpolish, eyeliner, few fancy bindis, all color kumkum palette

5) Black wool

6) Ornaments 

7) Blouse Pieces or a saree

8) Tape and a white thread with needle.

9) Safety pins

Steps -

1) I have used two Silver kalasam's to get the height required. You can also use any storage containers from your pantry. Attach and secure them together using a tape. According to mom's instructions, I have added some kumkum,pasupu,water and a quarter coin to the base kalasam before securing both of them.

2) Decorate the ammavaari face  by applying the red nailpolish for lips,eyeliner for eyes etc. 

3) Place a coconut into the top kalasam and attach the ammavari face to the coconut. Secure it with a rope if it has rings.

4) I have used two separate blouse pieces. Take the first piece, fold it according to the height required and use the needle/thread to secure to the bottom half of the structure.

5) Wrap the second blouse piece around the top half of the structure as shown in the picture  below and secure it with few safety pins. I have attached a gold lace to the bottom . This can be skipped if you have a blouse piece with border.

6) Braid the wool using three parts and attach it to the coconut right behind ammaaari kereetam using a tape.

7) Decorate with all the ornaments you could upon your interest. 

8) I have used silver mango leaves to cover the coconut that was visible from the sides as the coconut was huge and round. I would suggest to pick a coconut that is in oval shape rather than round.

Homemade Pooja Mandir

I have received few requests to post some making videos but unfortunately we did not record any as I didn't expect this much of appreciation from family and friends. I will add it the lessons learned :)
So, all I can give is guidance if needed along with the information below.

Things Needed : (All the items can be purchased in Home Depot except # 7)

1)  Wooden planks to make the outer box – 4 (32 W 20 H)  -  Measure how wide and high you wanted the mandir to be depending on the location where the mandir will be placed.  You can get everything cut to the required measurements by an operator at Home Depot while purchasing them.

     2)    Pine Carved Rope Moulding – 4 - Number of mouldings will depend on the size of the outer box as these will go as the border to get a complete look.

     3)   Ornamental Moulding – 2 – This is to make the gopuram part. Please note that these need to be cut with the hand saw to make the ends slant like gopuram.

     4)    Stair Legs – 2 – These are added for extra décor only. These are also manually cut to the required length.

     5)    Birch Accent Moulding – 1 – This is also for added décor. No cutting is required.

     6)    Birch Angle Accent – 2 pairs – This is also added for décor. No cutting is required.

     7)    Small round mouldings – 9 - These are available in Joan’s.

     8)    Bun Foot – 4 – Legs for the mandir

     9)    Hand Saw

    10)  Driller,Nails – If making the mandir closed on three sides

    11)  Wood Glue

    12)  Minwax Gel Stain and Semi Gloss Polyurethane

With Drawer for Storage

   Links to few items from the list ---

1) Pine Carved Rope Moulding -  http://www.homedepot.com/p/DecraMold-DM4-3-8-in-x-3-4-in-Pine-Carved-Rope-Moulding-10000169/100569880
2) Ornamental Moulding - Just search for Ornamental Moulding in the Homedepot website as there are many different designs you can select.
3) Birch AccentMoulding - http://www.homedepot.com/p/House-of-Fara-1-4-in-x-4-1-4-in-x-20-1-4-in-Birch-Accent-Moulding-307/100022772
4) Birch Angle Accent - http://www.homedepot.com/p/House-of-Fara-1-4-in-x-3-1-2-in-x-3-1-2-in-Birch-Angle-Accents-Pair-304/100067829
5) Bun Foot - http://www.homedepot.com/p/House-of-Fara-1-4-in-x-3-1-2-in-x-3-1-2-in-Birch-Angle-Accents-Pair-304/100067829