Ongole, August 17, 2013: Varalakshmi Vratam was observed with devotion by women to appease the goddess of boons in Prakasam district on Friday, the first one before the full moon day in the auspicious Sravanamasam.

Women dressed in their best clothes and choicest gold ornaments performed special poojas to the goddess of wealth after colourfully decorating their homes.

They offered delicious Pongali and other dishes prepared with reverence to Mahalakshmi. Devout men and women thronged ‘Ammavari’ temples to seek the blessings of the mother goddess.

Women in groups performed special poojas at different temples including Chennakeshavaswamy temple to the eight manifestations of Mahalakshmi.

Source: The Hindu, DT. August 17, 2013.