Varalakshmi Vratam Backdrop and Ammavaru Alankarana Details:
The festival of Varalakshmi Vratam is observed by most of the married ladies for the well-being of their husbands and house. 'Varalakshmi Vratam' falls on Shravana Paksha Shukravaram (2nd Friday of July – August month). I perform this Pooja every year by making the Ammavaru from scratch, this year is extra special, I stumbled upon an interesting DIY account 'DESIDIY', I was awestruck looking at how amazingly Divya does her Ammavaru Alankarna every year which is no less than how we see the Ammavaru in the temple, so this is from where I took my inspiration this year. The Alankarna of the ammavaru is important by itself however the I feel a traditional background always elevates the entire look of any Pooja set up.
So my palette for this year set up is inspired by the colors we often see in temples, the golds, greens and whites. The combination of the backdrop and the color of the Ammavaru saree must be in contrasting tones to highlight both the decor and the ammavaru even more.
If you liked my decor and would like to recreate it, you can follow my post here where I'll be adding all my sources from where you can buy the products.
Firstly the backdrop:
So the wall I used for my backdrop is a wall with two windows which have the brightest of light all day until 7PM, so I decided to tone the light down so the backdrop is not too bright, to do this I added a yellow felt fabric measuring to the length and width of the wall as required.
1. Felt Fabric sold by yard : Source: Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/Nu-Source-Inc-100-ACRYLIC-FELT-1208/dp/B001THRNWQ/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2D703FY192J3G&dchild=1&keywords=felt%2Bfabric%2Bby%2Bthe%2Byard&qid=1629691463&sprefix=felt%2Bfabric%2B%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-7&th=1
In between the windows where I decided to place my Ammavaru with a Prabhavali, I wanted to add something in either gold or dark violet like in temple to highlight the prabhavali, I went to Joann to search fabric in these colors, I needed something stiff that could stand against the wall without flying, so the one I found was faux leather and was sitting perfectly the way I envisioned. I tried to find the exact same one online but couldn't so tagging a similar color, but if you reach out for help the staff should be able to help you find the exact same one.
2. The Gold Faux Leather Fabric in the center: Source: Joann
https://www.joann.com/keepsake-calico-cotton-fabric-shimmer-foil-white-gold/16951212.html
The Gold and the yellow fabric together looked like a disaster haha.. so to tone it down I wanted to add some white with gold detailed so I see a peek of yellow but it isn't that evident, so I found a cream/white yellow cotton fabric with gold checks allover and decided that is the one.
The Gold and the yellow fabric together looked like a disaster haha.. so to tone it down I wanted to add some white with gold detailed so I see a peek of yellow but it isn't that evident, so I found a cream/white yellow cotton fabric with gold checks allover and decided that is the one.
3. White Cloth with Gold checks on either sides: Source: Joann
Looks like it is sold out can't find it online.
These are the fabrics I used as backdrop , now I added faux jasmine and rose garlands that I bought from amazon.in and marigold flowers on the white backdrop, I attached two strings to increase the height as I wanted them to fall on the ground.
Jasmine and Rose Garlands: Source: Amazon.in
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07XKM2HJ3/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image
Marigold Garlands: Source: Amazon.in
https://www.amazon.in/SellPlus-Artificial-Marigold-Garlands-Decoration/dp/B08W9F7J7M/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=marigold+spinx&qid=1629693192&sr=8-6
Jasmine Buds with Clustered Rose Strings: Source: Amazon.in
Jasmine Buds with Clustered Rose Strings: Source: Amazon.in
https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B084KKYTG6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Loose Foam Roses around the Prabhavali: Source: Amazon.in
https://www.amazon.in/Satyam-Kraft-Artificial-Flower-Decoration/dp/B07RFCHLJ1/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=foam+red+roses&qid=1629693550&s=kitchen&sr=1-2
Prabhavali: Source: Amazon,in
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09BD2DC3W/?coliid=I3RU0KV4RF0UI6&colid=1VA1ADWJVQVAU&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Ammavaru Alankarna:
What all you need to make the Ammavaru:
1. Ammavaru Doll: Source: Amazon.in
I bought mine from Amazon.in as it is convenient from me to select and purchase the one I want. If your family can shop for you, you can get these from Begum Bazaar Hyderabad or other novelty stores, for folks in the US you can buy them in temple novelty stores, most of them will have these dolls.
https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07TJ62ZL2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2. New Saree: Source: Amazon.in
Believe it or not, even the saree I got was from Amazon.in, I just loved the color and decided that this is it and I'm buying it. Loved how the whole look turned out.
3. Ammavaru Face: Source: DESI DIY
The most important of the whole set up I would say, bought this gorgeous buddha Ammavaru face from Divya, which comes with a pair of earrings, bottu (3 sizes) and mukkera(1 piece)
Contact: contactdesidiy@gmail.com
The ammavaru kereetam was from Amazon.in as well, I used rubber bands to fix it over the top , to give it a koppu shape I used bubble wrap and covered it with felt fabric, to cover the pink portion above the forehead I used a sparkly gold ribbon and wrapped it around.
5. Ammavaru Jewelry: Source: Amazon.in
I used all my gold jewelry to do my ammavaru alankaranam except the thali, I bought the Thali Mangalasutra from Amazon.in.
https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08F3PTVC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
6. Ammavaru Hands and Legs with accessories: Source: Amazon.in
Since the saree covers the legs of the existing doll, I bought pair of both hands and legs, they ran a bit small, so I suggest browsing more to see if the one that you are planning to buy are sufficient enough for your idol.
https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B07FYKH992/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The Hands with Lotus and Legs with Stones are also from Amazon.in
https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08WPXGJVB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09B7LRSMJ/?coliid=I21MXJHHASZ5AT&colid=1VA1ADWJVQVAU&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
7. Ammavaru Jada: Source: Amazon.in
https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B01M4KRF6W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
8. Ammavaru Bhujalu: Source: Amazon.in
https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B099FGP4Y8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
9. Ammavaru Mala around the shoulders: Source: Vivek Flowers
https://vivekflowers.com/english/lilly-garland-lg008-with-gold-border-red-rose-petals.html
