#sareespeak #womenofsareespeak

#179 #SS 24/2022

#silk #kanjivaram #kanjivaramsilk

Varalakshmi Viratham.
Friday. D1’s first.
Her mother in law and I had presented her with Devi’s Mugam/face the evening before, being an auspicious Poornima/full moon evening. We set up the altar and got organised for the next day.
A beautiful celebration.
Prayers. Fasting. Great vibes.
With her beautiful loving mother in law and me.
A full on work day but started very early so was able to finish early. Got some tamarind sevai/rice vermicelli done and tempered sabudana/sago for Prasadam.
Got 5 types of fruits to represent the 5 elements.
Prepped trays of sarees, kumkumam, manjal, betel nuts, flowers, fruits to gift the two ladies.
D1’s MIL had already started the Paal Payasam/Milk Rice Khmer on the stove. She’d also prepared lemon sevai and creamy curd rice.
Had a peaceful Puja, just the 3 of us with son in law too. Husband and D1’s younger brother in law visited later.
So why do we Fast?
I believe, to each his own.
No judgement.
Listen, let’s be honest, to ourselves at least.
Much of what we do, even if we say it’s for others, it is for ourselves.
Or at least, the ‘good’ we do or put out there is for our self esteem, our mental and physical well being.
Fasting is not Starvation. It’s not an obligation. It means control of the 5 sensory and 5 motor senses. We can define our fast and stick to it, and in so doing, we aim to maintain our minds, bodies in a Sathwic state. In this state, it is easy for us to project happiness, positivity for the wellbeing of ourselves and those around us.
And so when I fasted for Varalakshmi Nombu, I must add, I was a little selfish. I wanted to feel light and happy and good so that this would cascade into blessings and good for my family, loved ones and others. 😀

Draped a 30+ year old bottle green kanjivaram silk with maroon and gold borders and pallu. Another much loved treasured gem from my wedding trousseau. Wore it for the first time at my house/apartment warming a month or so after marriage. There is an oft related tale about the original blouse😆. For another time. Here I decided to mismatch it with a green red cotton kalamkari blouse, much to D1’s chagrin.
Carrying a plate with bowls of Prasadam en route to the altar.
Photo credit : dear son in law. More photos in comments.