There are many methods of decorating kalasam , all of us follow our own customs and traditions I would like to share through images how I prepare kalasam for Varamahalakshmi Vratham.
In our family we have a kalasam made from brass on which Face of Goddess Lakshmi with shank and chakra designs are etched on the kalasam. This kalasam has been there for decades. Since it is a specialised job and we have to give to professionals those who want to celebrate the festival the first time or new to this festival , the following method of kalasam preparation may be useful.
Take a
silver or brass vessel for kalasam , clean it very well. Apply limestone mixed with water ( sunnanbu in Tamil ) all around the kalasam.
Varamahalakashmi Habba kalasam preparation in progress.
Mix sandal wood powder in rose water and apply on four sides of the kalasam. Then apply turmeric powder and kumkum above the sandalwood paste already applied
Instead of a plain kalasam we can use a Ashtalakshmi kalasam that is available in jewellery shops also. This may be more suitable for the festival. However , everything depends upon what we can do due to financial and time constraints. It is important to celebrate the festival to the best of our abilities either by following our family tradition
Varalakshmi Nombu preparation images
I add samba wheat inside the kalasam , we can add rice also instead of wheat
Then add picholai and karugamani to the kalasam
Add silver inside the kalasam , it can be any silver article
Then add gold inside the kalasam , again any gold article , a ring or coin or gold chain
Then we can add dry fruits - 5 almonds and 5 dried dates.
One part of Varlaxmi Vratham Pooja Samagri
Next we have to prepare the coconut. The coconut we choose should be perfect in shape as shown in the image below. Apply turmeric powder and between any two eyes apply kumkum . We imagine this as the Face of the Goddess.
Then we should decorate with mango leaves and thazampoo leaves ( screw pine flower , fragrant variety )
Place the coconut as shown with five mango leaves and five
thazhampoo leaves alternately.
This post may have answers to
a) Varalakshmi kalasam preparation
b) Varalakshmi kalasam alangaram
c) What to put in Varalakshmi kalasam
d) How to make Varalakshmi kalasam , vaipadhu eppadi or ela pettali
