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.
