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.

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

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

Lotus hangings from the ceiling wall:  Source: Amazon.in / Home Center

https://www.amazon.in/Home-Centre-Corsica-Hanging-Standard/dp/B0922S8KZT/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B0922S8KZT&psc=1

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

4. Ammavaru Crown

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.

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08V193TT4/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

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://pin.it/wWkSxlG

https://vivekflowers.com/english/lilly-garland-lg008-with-gold-border-red-rose-petals.html

 

Believe in Magic - The little things in Life

                    There is something so charismatic about handwritten letters. In today’s world where Email, Facebook, or Text are just fingertips away, I would rather be thrilled to receive a handwritten note from a dear one which I can cherish for a lifetime over a message or an email on my mobile.

Handwritten letters are personal, a person receiving them can feel important and amazingly happy! It is much more special than receiving any materialistic gift. It is because, in this chaotic schedule and a 9-5 work agenda in one’s life, it is an effort to take a moment and pen down the beautiful thoughts you want to share with your loved ones. This can mean a lot, it can change rough day of a person to glee. Life is all about little things like this, a gesture which can brighten one’s day.

We are so lost in our busy lives that we often forget special days in our life. I love to celebrate special moments in my life, I feel it’s a day gifted to me. Ever since I was a little girl, I had this habit of writing letters to my parents and dear ones greeting them on their important moments in life. Talking about the best part of handwritten letters, is saving them, it is when you can hold and read a handwritten letter which is decade old.

I remember how my mom, aunt, uncle still saved the letters written to them by my grandfather years ago. How emotional it made them feel, how much he loved them and how today we grandchildren can still perceive his words even without seeing him. Just by penning down the thoughts and sharing it with people who mean something to you can leave an enduring impact. That’s the magic you can create.

Down the memory lane if you’re an antique lover like me, you can look at these gems in the future and feel the essence of it. Attached below are the handwritten letters I sent to my handsome husband a decade ago. They surely made a difference we looked at each other and helped us survive a long distance relationship. Coz why not words that you truly mean are best expressed when handwritten.