Varalakshmi Vradham /Noambu
This is an important festival observed by many Smartha communities in Tamilnadu , Andhrapradesh , Karnataka and Kerala .
This festival usually falls on a dasami thithi after Amavasai, either in the month of Aadi or Avani.
Godess Varalakshmi , goddess of boons, is propitiated on this day .
The preparations start a day or two before , by cleaning all the silver vessels , polishing the face of the Amman , purchase of pooja items , cleaning of the pooja room , purchase of groceries for Neivedyam etc .
The silver Amman mogham or face is tied to a silver vessel or chombu . Inside the chombu , rice , betel leaves , nuts , turmeric , lemon , a rupee coin and a banana is dropped .
A set of black bangles and karugumani (black bead ) and picholais leaves are also tied around the neck of the Amman or dropped in the chombu .
The chombu is smeared with kumkum,turmeric and chunambu (slaked lime ).
A coconut is kept on top of chombu and some mango leaves are arranged around its mouth.
The Amman is dressed in a Saree , as is custom in some houses .
Ready made Pavadais are available in market ,which can be used to dress the Amman .
She is also decorated with jewels , flowers and other Alankarams .
The method of Alankaram differs from house to house .
A Mandapam too can be made with a stool and decorated with small banana tree on both sides . The Mandapamcan be covered with silk cloth thoranams , mango leaves and lightings .
On this day, Izhai kolam is drawn on the house frontyard , highlighted with red oxide .
Entrance is decorated with thoranams .
Maa Kolam is drawn in the Pooja room too .
The previous night the Kalasam of the Amman is placed on a wooden plank , facing east , near the house entrance area /living room
In a wooden plank in which kolam is drawn , a banana leaf is placed .Raw rice is spread on it , and Amman Kalasam is placed on it .
Before starting the pooja , lamp or Jothi Vilakku is lit, Akshadai offered (rice mixed with turmeric ), flowers are offered . Neivedyam of betel leaf , nuts and banana is offered to Amman , Mangala Harathi is sung .
After this plank is carried carefully, singing songs in praise of her and she is brought to the main pooja room .
Place her in Mandapam , perform the main pooja .
During the Pooja the Noambu Charadu (yellow thread ), has to be tied on one’s right hand . We should also tie the Yellow thread around the neck of the Goddess . Usually a small jasmine or any other flower is tied to the Charadu (yellow thread ) and then tied on the hand .
Neivedyam for Varalakshmi Vradham
Payasam , Vadai , Kozhukattais ( Vella / Jaggery, Urad Dal / Sesame ) , Raw rice Idlis , cooked rice .
Pooja requirements
Flowers
Stringed flowers , loose flowers , garland , coconut , plantains, betel leaves, betel nuts , kum kum, sandal paste , turmeric powder , camphor , incense sticks, wicks , Gingelly oil, ghee , cows milk , slaked lime, Sambrani etc.
Fruits , blouse piece (any color except black ).
Guava , wood apple , naval (Indian black berry ) country apple .
According to the custom of some houses only a drawing of the Goddess or Amman is worshipped . A drawing of the Amman is drawn on a east facing wall, along with kalasam , mango leaves coconut and a mandapam , with a small banana tree on both sides. Other Pooja items like betel, betel nuts , fruits , Lamp or Kuthu Vilakku, Comb, Kaajal box is drawn in red oxide.
Customs and traditions are different in each family . The rest of the arrangements and pooja is similar .
If the Noambu is Thalai Noambu or first Noambu after marriage ,extra pooja of Ganesha and Gruha preethi pooja is performed.
Some ladies performing this pooja, take light food / tiffin or fruits the previous day . Ven Pongal with Curry vadams / appalams are usually taken. Oil bath is taken on the day of the Noambu.
Before the Lakshmi Pooja , make a small cone from turmeric , representing Lord Ganesha. Apply kum kum , chandanam (sandal paste ) to the cone .
Pray to Him and then start the main Pooja .
Happy Varalakshmi Vradham to all ladies .