Dubai: Samoohik Shri Varamahalaxmi Pooja Held
Photos: Sujay Bendore
Report: Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network 

This time an event linked to this was ‘Devotional Song Contest’ which was held some time back at Al Maasa Hotel Dubai.  It was great to see enthusiastic people not only from Karnataka but also people belonging to neighbouring states participated in this contest with great numbers and who made this first time event a successful one.  The winners were given the opportunity to sing those devotional songs during the pooja in front of the attended devotees.  Out of the total participants of the competition Lochana Babuchi & Vismaya Prasad were selected from 3 to 8 year band, Vinayaka Sai Prasad, Raksha Anand and Ishwarya Ganesh Rai were selected from 9 to 15 age groups and Sangeetha Shetty & Niveditha Arvind were selected from the ladies group with Sannath Shetty & Anand Salian were selected from mens group.  Sangeetha Rajesh & Eeranna Moolimani were the judges of the competition. On the whole all those participated rendered beautiful devotional songs in their rich voice which was very well appreciated by the audience and made it a special attraction of the day.
 
Purohit Raghu Bhat prior to the commencement of pooja briefed the devotees on the event, the importance of this vruta and the result of this to mankind.
 
In significance, eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvati (learning), Priti (love), Kirti (Fame), Shanti (Peace), Tushti (Pleasure) and Pushti (Strength). Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus. Vishnu is also called Ashta Lakshmi Padhi which is equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight-Lakshmis or forces. In fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe, radiates these forces from him. These forces are personified and worshipped as Lakshmis, since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary people. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to be to obtain these three. Only a woman can sympathise with women. Lakshmi is a woman. So she will more readily sympathise with women. Hence this festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husbands and their children
 
To explain further, Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Sri Maha Vishnu. She is the abode of all auspiciousness and prosperity. Varalakshmi  Viratham is celebrated on the last Friday of Ashada before the full moon day in the month of Shravan (August-September). This viratham is observed by married women for the welfare of their husband, children and household.  This is believed to bring good progeny, health and a long life.
 
Further, Lord Shiva describes the glory of this Viratam in the Skanda Purana. This is a pooja that was pronounced by  Lord Parameswara to be performed by his consort Parvathi to seek prosperity and happiness for the family
 
According to Hindu mythology once, Parvati and Parmeswara were involved in a game of chess. Though Parvati was winning the game every time, Parmeswar was teasing her to have won each game, much to the annoyance of his consort Parvati. Then they decided to have Chitranemi as a referee.
 
Chitranemi proved to be very partial to Parmeswara. Parvati could not tolerate his most unjust behaviour and in a fit of anger cursed Chitranemi to become a leper. Chitranemi begged to pardon him and at the intervention of Parmeswara, Parvati relented and modified the curse adding that he would be cured of the dreaded disease by observing Varalakshmi Vratha. Chirtranemi got rid off the loathsome disease after he observed the Vratha.
Thus it came to be emulated by married women for the health, wealth and knowledge for the entire family.
 
As per the ancient procedure, it is said that, after taking a clean bath, you need to wear clean clothes, draw a kolam in your pooja room/place, preferably of a Lotus. Then take a silver Kalasha filled with rice and top it with mango leaves and coconut. Decorate the coconut with turmeric and kumkum. Keep the face of Mahalakshmi on it. If you don't have it, make a face on the turmeric paste by molding it accordingly with your hands. Decorate this with fresh flowers and gold ornaments. Place a banana leaf and place the prasad on it. Place new cloth and fresh grains. Lakshmi is invoked therein. Worship the Kalasha.  After the worship give new cloths and prasad to a deserving married woman.
 
Lakshmi not only bestows wealth and all sorts of material prosperity, but also imparts divine wisdom to all Her devotees. She is Vidya Shakti. She introduces Her devotees to Her Lord. She recommends them to Her Lord for their salvation
 
The rituals of worship during the Varalakshmi Vratam differ from region to region in south India, but they all have the same basic format. The performer begins the day with a holy purification bath, and wears clean clothes. The arena is decorated with kolam (rangoli). A geometrical design known as mandalam is then drawn on the clean surface of the floor (with the picture of a lotus upon it). A sacred pot (kalasham) is filled with pure water and rice (akshata), topped with a bunch fresh mango leaves, and a coconut (unbroken, with its kudimi on) smeared with turmeric powder is placed atop. Also, sandal paste and kumkumam are applied to the kalasham, and a cloth is tied around it before placing it on the mandalam. Some people further beautify the kalasham with a picture of Varalakshmi drawn on it and decorated with jewels. Then, Goddess Lakshmi is invoked. Fresh flowers and grains are used in the worship, indicating growth and prosperity.
 
After performing the initial worship of Lord Ganesha (seeking removal all obstacles), prayers are offered to the kalasham. A toram (which consists of nine threads and nine knots) is tied to the Goddess. Then they worship the thread (raksha). Now the main worship of Lakshmi begins, with a second worship of the sacred Thread. Finally, it is tied around the right hand of the performer. Prayers in the form of Lakshmi Ashtottara shatanAma and sahasranAma are then chanted. Another sumangali is then chosen, and she is offered auspicious articles as gifts and food. The function concludes with the singing of several hymns and songs in praise of Varalakshmi. 
 
Today, here at the function, representing on behalf of the attendees, Uday Kumar, Krishna Poojary & Shyamala Krishna Poojary sat on the stage to receive the pooja which lasted for about five hours.
 
For the first time we could see a total change in the atmosphere during this ritual and the first thing a person feels when he steps inside this auditorium is as if you are in your home land.  A beautifully decorated stage replicating a temple, with artistically erected and decorated mantap with more than 250 tender coconut (gendhale bhonda), 100 plus oranges, 100 plus apples, 12 plus pineapples, sugar canes plants, decorative mango leaves, fragrance of decorated pingara, mallige, kanakambara and all those beautiful flowers.  Burning of incense sticks, lighting of lamps, smell of camphor, sounds of bells, beats of jhaghante and sound of shanka.  Additionally chanting of mantras, shlokas, stotras, shobanas not only from the Purohit but also from the devotees.  A well decorated high stage set for the lords and idols of Lakshmi & Ganesha grandly decorated with flowers and fruits totally take you off to a journey into Almighty’s Paradise.  The scenic creation has madly made the devotees to realize, think and praise the Almighty in this part of the world in all its real form and also at the right time.  Even the children were patient and enjoyed every bit of it involving in this great pooja ceremony.  One should appreciate the organizers who have taken pains and arranged to get all things imported from the home town of Mangalore to make and create a homely atmosphere.

 
As per the tradition, devotees witnessed ‘Sumangali Aaradhana’, ‘Kannika Aaradhana’, Brahmanaradhana’ being performed with full of energy and spirit.  All the attendees took part whole heartedly and with ease as it was ably managed by the deputed volunteers.  Need to be mentioned are the names of Suvarna Satish,  Rajesh Kuthar, Satish Ullal, Jagannath Bellare, Ganesh Rai, Ramanand Belapu, Satish Poojary, Sudhakar Karkal, Sudhakar Poojary, Thumbe, Anil,  and all those enthusiastic team of volunteers who have put in great effort and contributed for the success of this programme.  Ganesh Rai controlled the event with his able leadership and maintained discipline throughout the pooja.  Banners in Kannada all over the auditorium with the rule of the day was one such discipline which made the event flow with ease.
 
In regular intervals there were bhajans and kirtans rendered by a team of talented singers, sparing no free time in between the pooja to keep the whole thing going on and on until the Maha Pooja and Maha Aarati.  The arena was full of vibration and all the devotees felt the positive energy getting into their body, mind and soul with this vibrant pooja.
 
Concluding was Maha Prasada a delicious traditional vegetarian dinner prepared and cooked with the vegetables mainly flown from Mangalore for the event which made the devotees forget their presence here and who enjoyed savoring every bit of it, licking their finger.
 
The Maha Vara Lakshimi pooja concluded at around 11 PM and could see the devotees happily returning home blessed by the Almighty, holding pack of ‘Dhaani’ kit, showered with all good health and wealth and eagerly awaiting to be part of this next year.  They chanted “Sarve Jano Sukhonobhavathu”.
 
The whole programme was possible with the proud eligible leadership of Uday Kumar Kateel and his team who were able to make this event a truly traditional.

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