Varalakshmi

        Gouache and pearl gold on paper, 11.5" x 8", 2020

                                    

A painting inspired by the visuals of Visiripparai and Goddess Lakshmi's earlier forms as Srivatsam (as found in temples such as Siyamangalam and Uthirameroor), shared by our mentor Artist @balajisrinivasan during Citraprakaranam sessions.

PC - Tamil Heritage Foundation

Visiripparai, monolithic rockcut structures found in the Godavari delta and parts of Tamil nadu. prehistoric form of Mother Goddess or Devi worship. resembles a seated figure, or a kalasam, and to me : a tree and its roots.

PC - from Earliest representation of Goddess Shri in Dravidian Art,
Ph.d Research Scholar S.Deepika 

Srivatsam, early historic representation/ iconoraphy of Sri in temples, as in Siyamangalam (SivavisnuChaturvedi mangalam) and Uthirameroor. srivatsam is flanked either by crocodiles or elephants. crocodiles represent the ocean ( Ratnakara, meaning producer of wealth ,the father of Lakshmi) and elephants denote huge rainbearing clouds.the limbs seemed to resemble young shoots and roots.

Poornakumbam resembles Lakshmi seated on her lotus with 4 hands and crown.

The composite forms merged together to form an image of kalpavruksha, which She is. Here it's shown as the vilvam/bael tree that's worsipped as Lakshmi.

"Ksheerabdi kanya" gave a whole new meaning....we are infact worshipping rain and being grateful for the prosperity it brings.

The Vratham

Manjal Pillayar, Thulasi and Salagramam are first worshipped before pooja to the kalasam begins.

A kalasam is filled with auspicious things and mango leaves are placed on it. Then a coconut is placed on top. Lakshmi's face is kept over the coconut. vastram is tied and it's adorned with jewelry.Then some families draw maakkolam with rice flour in a peedam or mandapam and place the decorated kalasam above. The vaazhaimaram, and kandru (plaintain tree with its young one) is tied to the mandapam (for prosperity and it's continuance).

The offerings in the 'muram'/ 'solagu' are auspicious things lemon, coins, vetrilai-pakku/ tamboolam/ betelnut and leaves, 9 yellow threads(saradu), bangles, kaadholai (rolled palmleaf placed in the earlobes in earlier days), karugamani, flowers and akshadhai. Women participants are given these mangalaporutkal, sowbagyam(auspicious things).    

The padi/naazhi (measure) with rice and vellam(jaggery), denoting abundance, is overturned into the house while entering.

Other offerings like vadai, kozhukkattai and chakkaraippongal are kept below. 

The ashtadhalapadmam is drawn to please Her and the kolam before thulasi is the one drawn on Fridays, to mark the day.

The sun and the moon are symbols of eternity... eternal life and prosperity.

Varalakshmi nonmbu is celebrated during the Friday nearest to pournami of Shravan month, Aavani. So the vrata seemed to be a form of Thanksgiving for the blessings She showers (literally as rain, which is like indraneela mani) and also to propitiate for continuance of Her blessings.

Goddess Lakshmi as Prakruthi(nature), Vikruthi (growth/evolution), Sarvabhootha hithapradha (one who benefits all beings), Nithyapushtaa (who gives health/energy), Dhanadhaanyakaree (who gives grains and wealth), Lord Vishnu's Dhayaa, the mercy He showers on us... 🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐