Mangalore : Varamahalakshmi Pooja is celebrated in the district across the houses and temples on Aug 16, Friday.

It is said that in the Hindu calendar, Varamahalakshmi Pooja  is the beginning of a new festive season. During this day married women take an opportunity to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi in to their houses by performingt puja and decorting the house with flowers.

Special puja’s were held in temples dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi in Mangalore including Urwa Mariyamma Temple, Mangaladevi, Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple and others.

Large number of married women visited the temple wearing grand saree, gold orgnaments and offer puja by reciting the hymns while sprinkling the pinch of ‘Kumkum’  (Vermillion Powder) to the  lamp placed in the centre of a group. This is performed by married women for the longevity of their husband.