Mysuru: With the onset of ‘Shravana’ month in the Hindu calendar, preparations have begun in Hindu households for the series of upcoming festivals.

Among them is the Varamahalakshmi Vrata, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi — the deity of wealth, prosperity and well-being. The ritual is observed to seek her blessings for the family’s health, longevity and affluence. This year, the festival falls tomorrow (Aug. 8).

Mysuru is abuzz with festive activity, as markets and shops across the city showcase a wide variety of puja essentials — from intricately crafted idols and Lakshmi masks to decorative items, sarees, silver articles and gold jewellery designed specially for the occasion.

Jewellery showrooms have rolled out special festive discounts, while women are thronging Devaraja Market, Vani Vilas Market, Santhepet and other busy shopping hubs to buy puja materials. Saree showrooms and jewellery stores are witnessing brisk sales of sarees, gold ornaments and silver articles used to decorate the ‘Kalasha’, an integral part of the Vrata’s rituals.

People were seen purchasing  varieties of flowers for festival despite the prices being on a higher side along with banana stems, plantain leaves,  bangles,  fruits, mango leaves and other items. Vehicular movements on Sayyaji Rao Road from K.R. Hospital towards K.R. Circle were slow and people also had tough time passing through the roads. 

“There are more attractive Lakshmi idols this year compared to previous years,” said Nagendra of Sri Vinayaka Puja Stores at Devaraja Market, speaking to Star of Mysore.

“Varamahalakshmi Vrata is celebrated every year to invoke Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings for the family’s well-being and prosperity,” added Vidya from Bannur, who was in the city shopping on the eve of the festival.