Varalakshmi Vratam

About Goddess Varalakshmi

Varalakshmi Puja day is one of the significant days to worship the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Varalakshmi, who is the consort of Lord Vishnu, is one of the forms of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Varalakshmi was incarnated from the milky ocean, popularly known as Kshir Sagar. She is described as having the complexion of milky ocean and adorns similar color clothes.

It is believed that the Varalakshmi form of the goddess bestows boons and fulfills all desires of her devotees. Hence this form of the goddess is known as Vara + Lakshmi i.e. Goddess Lakshmi who bestows boons.

About Varalakshmi Vratam

The Varalakshmi fasting is observed on the last Friday during Shravana Shukla Paksha and falls just few days ahead of Rakhi and Shravana Purnima.

Varalakshmi Vrat is suggested not only for women but also for men. However, in Andhra, Telangana and Maharashtra regions, Varalakshmi fasting in mainly performed by married women only. The Varalakshmi fasting is performed with the desire of worldly pleasures and it includes children, spouse, luxury and all sorts of earthly pleasures.

Varalakshmi Vratam is very popular fasting and Pooja day in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. In these states, Varalakshmi Puja is performed mostly by married women for the well-being of husband and the other family members. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Vara-Lakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi i.e. the eight Goddesses of Wealth (Sri), Earth (Bhu), Learning (Saraswati), Love (Priti), Fame (Kirti), Peace (Shanti), Pleasure (Tushti) and Strength (Pushti).

However, in North Indian states Varalakshmi Puja is not as popular as those of South Indian states. Varalakshmi Vratam is one of the most appropriate days to propitiate and to seek blessings of the Goddess Lakshmi.

Varalakshmi Puja Muhurat

As per Electional Astrology, the most appropriate time to worship Goddess Lakshmi is during fixed Lagna. It is believed that if Lakshmi Puja is done during fixed Lagna would bestow long-lasting prosperity.

Hence we have given four Puja timing in a day when fixed Lagna prevails. Any suitable time can be chosen for Varalakshmi Puja. However, evening time which overlaps with Pradosh is considered the most appropriate to worship Goddess Lakshmi.

Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi

The Puja steps in Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi are similar to Maha Lakshmi Puja during Diwali. However it includes Puja steps and Mantra for Dorak and Vayana. The sacred thread which is tied during Varalakshmi Puja is known as Dorak and sweets and pooja gifts offered to Varalakshmi is known as Vayana.

Dance practice sarees

Dance practice sarees are special sarees made only to wear during dance practice. Indian classical dancers wear practice saree while practicing Kuchipudi or Bharatanatyam or Mohiniyattam. Usually, for younger generation a tights (bottom) and a loose top is preferred. But generally in India, wearing the pant and top is considered non-traditional or western. So the practice sarees came in handy. Regular sarees are so long and tall, which takes a long time to wear and very inconvenient to do the vigorous practice and physical activity. These practice sarees are short and less tall, making them very comfortable for dance practice. The dance practice sarees are made of cotton usually.

On top of every thing, the beauty of a dancer in traditional practice saree in incomparable with any other attire other than her actual Bharatanatyam dance or Kuchipudi dance dress.

Please see below some of our dance practice sarees

 

Classical Dances in India

Author: indiatourtravel
India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions. Each region of the country has a alone culture, which is as well prominently visible in its various art forms. Almost all the regions of the country have their particular folk music and dance, which proves to be a tremendous way of formula of their community and its traditions. Though these folk dances are not as complex as the classical dance forms, they are identical beautiful, because of the essence of rawness in them. Be it the Bihu of Assam, Dol-Cholom of Manipur, Hikal of Himachal Pradesh or Chhau of Bihar, each of the Indian folk dance forms comes throughout as a expression of the deep sited beliefs and traditions of a detail culture.
 The folk dances of any community are executed on almost every special occasion and festival, to convey elation and joy.
These dances are also considered to be auspicious by many of the tribal communities in the country. Many folk dances are committed to the presiding deity of the specific community. The almost interesting part of a folk dance is the attire called for for its execution. Every folk dance has its possess specific costume and jewelry, which differs from dance to dance. They are, in general, identical bright and colorful, with traditional jewelries that give a folk touch to the performance. These dances are not only the single art of a particular community, but also an asset of India's cultural inheritance. In our associated division, we have discussed the unlike folk dances of India. Read on to know more than. The dances of Rajasthan are so inviting and employing that they are bound to induce you to tap a foot or two on with the dancers.
Rajasthani dances are basically folk dances tracing their source to rustic customs and traditions. What is more interesting is that keeping alive the numerous dance forms are not the professional dancers but the average rural men and women of Rajasthan. The dancers exercising these dance forms are, till date, religiously following the age old traditions and that's where, the beauty of these dances lies. Apart from the simple expressions and venturous movements that add beauty to the dances, there are the vibrant and colorful costumes adorned by the dancers. For the dancers of Rajasthan, the Thar Desert is the centre stage which enhances the beauty of the dances at the backdrop of the setting sun. Some of the folk dances of Rajasthan are exemplified herein. Rajasthan boasts of its rich culture and tradition. Rajasthan has preserved its traditional art and culture, which ensure its singularity. Human emotions are best expressed through dance and music. The folk dance and music is an integral part of folk life in Rajasthan, which can be seen during fairs and festivals. The folk dances of Rajasthan offer mesmerizing sight.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/classical-dances-in-india-6482210.html
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Classical Dances Of India - Classical Dances in India, Indian Classical Dances Info, Classical Dance Tour India, Visit Famous Classical Dance of India, Visit Popular Odissi Classical Dance in India, Kuchipudi Classical Dance Tours to India
 

Bharatanatyam Dance

Bharatanatyam finds its origins interlocked with classical Indian dance that mimics one of the basic five elements of life. Which when performed is a hypnotizing dance that resembles a flame, to honor Lord Shiva-supreme lord of dance. Traditional jewelry worn during the Bharatanatyam dance is known as temple jewellery, which was originally made from gold with rubies, emeralds and pearls. Used by the Devadasi girls as they danced in the temples to honor Lord Shiva original dance. Artisans created theses authentic masterpieces for centuries in the southern part of India. Even today people revere and covet temple jewelry for its unique beauty and craftsmanship.  Bharatanatyam temple jewelry, combine with the silk multi-functional costume, which becomes enhanced with bells that allow each foot gesture to have a voice. Which seduces and captivates the audience in a mystic trance, As the performer goes through the motions of the dance the costume flows with them. Stimulating the audiences eyes with broad colors, while using body language and hand gestures to portray the ritual dance.  Originally, temple jewelery beautified the gods and goddesses in the temples during the 9th century. Later, women of the South India adopted a liking for the jewelery, which terpsichorean use in their routine to pay respect to their heritage. There are 10 jewelery pieces that make up the set to do a Bharatanatyam fire dance: Choker,Long Chain, Mattal, Nath, Bullakku, Ottiyanam, Jimikki, Bangels, Rakkodi, Chandran/Sooryan and Nethichutty. A beginner can get by with a head set, necklace, and belts.  Every piece of the Bharatanatyam performer is essential to the routine even the performers hair dressed with a Charndra(moon shaped) and Surya(sun shaped) ornaments. The Saree skirt style or Pyjama style which have gold Zari embroidery designs on the skirt. Open when the dancer performs a special posture known as a arai mandi (half-sitting) and muzhu mandi (full sitting). Ever aspect of the beautiful performance ties together giving the audience a breathtaking display meant for a king or god.

Kundan Jewelry

Kundan Jewelry is the oldest traditional form of Indian gemstone jewelry using a gem set with thin gold foil between the jewelry base mount and the gem stone. The gem stone is placed in the mount and secured with gold foil between the gaps. This style of jewelry was originated in Rajastan and Gujarat.

Jaipuri Jewelry is another form of Kundan jewelry in which the Kundan gemstone setting is in the front and enamel designs on the back of the jewellery bits. This is also called as Meena Kundan jewelry or Bikaneri Jewelry. Jaipur is the main source of Kundan and Bikaneri Jewelry in India.
Beautiful Bikaneri Kundan jewelry set. The front of this jewelry is traditional gemstone set type and the reverse side is cute Meenakari designs.

This gorgeous Kundan choker set is going to attract a lot of positive attention wherever you go. It is a unique piece which has been embellished to perfection.

Traditional Indian dresses require complementary ornaments to make the look complete in every way. Matching choker set is going to provide you with the ideal accessory you have been looking for.

• Beautiful Meenakari work present in the back side of each stone settings
• Kundan jewelry set includes necklace with pendant and matching earrings
• Earrings come with a convenient and smooth rubber push system
• Neck line of the choker set is completely adjustable
• Ideal for wearing with Lehenga-choli and party wear sarees

Navadhanya and its importance in Hindu pooja

Navadhanya is an important part of the various Hindu pooja items. Navadhanya signifies the nine

grains (where ‘Nava’ means nine and ‘Dhanya’ means grains) that are an important part of an

Indian’s staple food. These nine grains include Rice, Wheat, Bengal gram, Horse gram, Green

gram, Black gram, White beans, Chic peas and Black sesame seeds.

Usage of Navadhanya as a Hindu pooja item is a ritual followed during specific occasions such

as the Grahapravesam and also during the Navarathri festival. The number nine signifies the

Navagrahas of the Hindu religion and these nine grains are offered to each one of these

Navagrahas.

Use of Navadhanya for Grahapravesam:

The Grahapravesam or house warming ceremony is a ritual performed before someone starts

living in a new house. Sometimes, a Grahapravesam may also be performed if the house or a

portion of the house has been rebuilt, or if someone is coming back to live in the house after

being away in a different place for a long number of years.

The objective of performing this ritual is to invoke the blessing of the gods to grant happiness,

peace, prosperity and longevity to the people who are going to live in the house. During this ritual,

the Navadhanya is one of the essential Hindu pooja items. These nine grains are placed in a pot

filled with water along with a one rupee coin and a coconut is then placed on top of the pot. The

holy man then performs the pooja ritual after which this pot is taken inside the house and placed

near the homam (a temporary fireplace built for the ceremony).

Use of Navadhanya during Navarathri festival:

Navadhanya is also an important part of the Navarathri festival which is celebrated for nine

continuous days in worship of the Hindu goddesses. “Kolu” is a significant aspect of this festival

where different idols are arranged such that they signify different stories from the various epics in

the Hindu religion. Pooja will be performed for the idols placed in the Kolu every evening and

neighbors will be invited to visit the Kolu and sign hymns in praise of the gods.

Each evening one of the Navadhanya will be cooked and offered to the deity and visitors in the

form of “Sundal”. The Kolu custom and evening pooja is incomplete without a sundal made from

one of the Navadhanyas. Apart from the spiritual or religious beliefs of well being when using a

Navadhanya, intake of these grains has excellent health benefits as well!

Performing arts degrees from Alagappa University

Courtesy: http://alagappaarts.com/dance/

Alagappa Performing Arts Academy (APAA) an integral part of the Alagappa group of institutions was founded in 2005 by Mr. Ramanath Vairavan, grandson of Dr. RM. Alagappa Chettiar. The primary objective of APAA is to propagate the exquisite practice of Indian art and culture in their pristine purity and in conformance to tradition.

APAA in its maiden venture has focused on Bharatanatyam, an art that combines artistic expression, vigorous dancing with a sense of spirituality. Students of Bharathanatyam spend years learning the art and perfecting the practice to perform the ‘Arangetram” which is a graduation performance. A student might typically take about 5 to 7 years to perform an Arangetram. If a student were to pursue graduate studies during this time a student should be able to complete post-graduate education. However in pursuit of learning Bharathanatyam, dancers are not awarded degrees or certification for their accomplishment.

APAA in an effort to fulfill this need has developed a structured learning program, using eminent artistes in the field and designed a comprehensive curriculum in performing arts to demonstrate the repertoire of culture that is embedded in these classical arts. The programs have been designed with specific course work and practicals that a student has to successfully complete to get the respective certification. Effective detailed aids have been developed to enhance the learning process with the comprehensive review of the various aspects of the art. From an overview of the various dances in India , to the rudiments of dancing, to clearly depicting the exquisite language of gestures, postures and rhythmical delivery, a student is guided through the various phases of this intricate art with textbooks that concisely explain its relevance and interactive DVDs that vividly describe the precise execution of the art. These valuable learning aids enhance the comprehension and make this a valuable exercise for students to understand the depth and versatility of this art with theory and practicals integrated in a format similar to academic programs.

The teaching aids will initially focus on Bharathanatyam and supplemental aids will be added to other classical dance forms of India such as Mohini Attam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Manipuri. These programs are offered through APAA Authorized Certification Centers (APACs) worldwide to enable students to obtain an undergraduate and post graduate degrees in performing arts. The vision of APAA is to obtain accreditation for this program from renowned Universities in the world, propagate and bring prominence not only to Indian performing arts but also to all other dance and music art forms by offering structured learning programs to students worldwide.