2 days ago
Varalakshmi Vratham celebration held on grand scale at Tiruchanur temple
The Varalakshmi Vratham celebrations were held in a grand manner at the Tiruchanur Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple here on Friday (August 8, 2025). Scores of devotees offered prayers seeking progeny, longevity, wealth, prosperity and family well-being.
The priests on the special occasion gave the presiding deity a 'divine appearance' by adorning Her with special golden saree. The 'Utsava Murthy' (processional deity) was carried to the Asthana Mandapam in a procession and seated on 'Padma Peetam', where a series of rituals like Vishwaksena Aradhana, Punyahavachanam, Kalasa Sthapana and Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana and Ashtottara Sata Namavali were performed.
The premises of the temple was adorned with exotic flowers, while the deity was worshipped with traditional flowers like rose, jasmine, chrysanthemum, maruvam, Tulasi, lotus etc. A unique decoration with nine sacred threads, symbolising the nine divine forms, was offered to the Goddess.
TTD's Agama advisor K. Srinivasacharyulu elaborated the significance of 'Varalakshmi Vratham' as mentioned in 'Bhavishyottara Purana'. The priests offered 12 food varieties as 'Naivedyam' to the Goddess, followed by Maha Mangala Harathi, which marked the conclusion of the event.
Special arrangements
The TTD management has made special arrangements to distribute eight lakh bangles, 1.6 lakh sacred threads (Kankanams), 1.6 lakh turmeric and kumkum packets, besides 'Lakshmi Ashtottara Sata Namavali' books in all the 51 TTD temples across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
'We have tried to reach out to as many devotees as possible this time. After the spiritually-enriching event, the blessings of the Goddess have really travelled far and wide to reach even those who could not attend the Vratham in the temple,' TTD Executive Officer J. Syamala Rao told the media after the conclusion of the event.
An interesting feature this year was the creation of 'Ashtalakshmi Mandapam' using three tonnes of traditional flowers and 30,000 (individual) cut flowers, which was decorated by forty staff members over the last three days.
Similarly, the floral decoration also featured fruits like apples and citrus, with which divine figures of Gaja Lakshmi and twin 'Airavathas' were created with the help of a Chennai-based donor.
Five large LED screens were installed at Asthana Mandapam, Pushkarini, Vahana Mandapam, Friday Gardens and Tholappa Garden, all in the vicinity of the temple, for the benefit of the devotees at large.
The deity was taken on a golden chariot around the temple during the 'Swarna Rathotsavam' observed in the evening, which marked the end of the day-long event.
