Shravana Sukravara Pooja

Shravana Masam (The Holy Month of Festivals)

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•     In the year 2013,  Shravana Masam  starts from August 07 and ends on September 5th. 
• Shravana masa is the most important month to perform Lakshmi pujas.  This month is considered very auspicious and numerous festivals are held in this month. 
•  I will be posting rituals related to these festivals here accordingly.
• Naga-Panchami
  Kalkyavatara
  Putradaikadashi
  Hindola or Swinging
  Narali Purnima
  Srravani Purnima
  Pavitraropana
  Raksha Bandhana Vara Lakshmi Vratam
  Rishi Panchami
  Govatsa and Bahula
  Sitala Saptami
  Janmashtami
  Ajaikadasi
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  Mondays of Sravana Masam is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  Mangala Gowri Vrata is observed on Tuesdays in the month of Sravana by women.
  Fridays in Shravana sukravaram is dedicated to Goddess Lakshimi.
  Saturdays are dedicated to Lord Shani and Lord Balaji.
  The birthday of Lord Krishna is observed in the month and therefore many people consider the month highly auspicious and perform numerous functions like Grihpravesh etc.
                      Shravan Poornima is observed as Raksha Bandhan.
  
  
  

      Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi (wealth) goes only to those houses which are clean and where the people are hardworking. She does not visit the places which are unclean/dirty or where the people are lazy.
  
  
  

  
  

  In the Sri Vaishnava philosophy however, Sri (Lakshmi) is honoured as the "Iswarigm sarva bhootanam" i.e. the Supreme goddess and not just the goddess of wealth. This is an important distinction between Sri Vaishnavism and other materialistic philosophies.
  
  

  
  

  Steps of Lakshmi Puja:
  
  

  
  

  Begin Puja by laying down down new cloth on a raised platform. Spread out a handful of grains in the center of the cloth and place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains in it. Arrange five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the kalash. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

  
  

  Place the idol of Ganesha: In front of the kalash, on the right (South-West direction), place the idol of Ganesha. Also place ink and books related to your business or occupation on the platform. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.
  
  

  
  

  Invoke goddess: 
                  Lakshmi by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. One can also recite the mantras mentioned in the Puranas or simply take some flowers in your hands, close your eyes, and think of goddess Lakshmi being showered with gold coins by two elephants standing on either side of Her and chant Her name. Then offer the flowers to the idol.

  
  

  Place the idol of Lakshmi: Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.
  
  

  Offerings: 
                Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume ( itr ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess. Offer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree). Light an incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul. Make an offering of puffed rice and batasha. Pour some puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol. Safe where you keep money and jewelry; Worship this safe as a symbol of Lord Kuber.
  
  

  Aarti: 
              Finally, perform the aarti for goddess Lakshmi. Always remember that She abhors loud noise. So the aarti should be accompanied only by a small bell. Do not clap hands, as is the practice when performing aarti for other gods.
  
  
  

  Naivedyam And Thambulam

  
  

  
  Naivedyam for Lakshmi Devi (Peace and Prosperity) and
  Thambulam for You, My Dear Family and Friends
  

                                      " Dharmo Rakshati Rakshithaha "