Why Do Women Tie the Nombu Saradu During Varalakshmi Vratham?

Varalakshmi Vratham is one of the most popular Hindu festivals celebrated in South India. This sacred festival is devoted to the goddess Lakshmi, the divine incarnation of prosperity, wealth, good health, and happiness, during which people pay their respect to the divine incarnation for the prosperity of their families.

There are many beautiful traditions connected with the celebration of Varalakshmi Vratham, including tying of the Nombu Saradu, or Varalakshmi Nombu Thread. Apart from being a sacred thread, it also symbolizes devotion, protection and commitment of the devotee to Lakshmi Devi.

What Is the Nombu Saradu?

Nombu Saradu is a sacred thread that is traditionally made of yellow-colored cotton, colored with turmeric and decorated with small flowers or sacred knots. During the celebration of the Varalakshmi Vratham, this thread is placed before the deity as an offering to the Goddess Lakshmi in the course of the pooja rituals.

Once all the prayers are said, the blessed thread is tied to the wrist of women who observed the Vratham, while unmarried girls can also wear this thread in order to get the blessings of Lakshmi Devi in order to have a prosperous life.

Why Does the Nombu Saradu Have 9 Knots?

Traditionally, the Varalakshmi Nombu Saradu is tied with nine sacred knots, each symbolizing a form of Goddess Lakshmi and her divine blessings. These knots represent prosperity, good health, courage, wisdom, success, abundance, family well-being, spiritual growth, and overall happiness. While the tradition may vary slightly across regions and families, the nine knots are widely regarded as a powerful symbol of invoking Maha Lakshmi's complete blessings during Varalakshmi Vratham.

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Why is the Nombu Saradu Tied?

The process of tying the Varalakshmi Nombu Thread is of profound spiritual significance.

• Symbolism of Devotion

The Nombu Saradu represents the devotion of the devotee to the Goddess Lakshmi. By tying the blessed thread, women confirm their prayers and spirituality related to Lakshmi Devi.

• Protection and Blessings

This thread invokes the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, reminding about her protective role – the deity observes the family and protects it from any hardships, bringing health, prosperity, and harmony.

• Commitment to the Vratham

This action means the successful observance of the Vratam by the devotee – praying and conducting other rituals with purity and dedication.

Why Is Turmeric Used in the Sacred Thread?

Turmeric occupies a significant position in Hindu traditions. It symbolizes purity, auspiciousness, fertility, and positive energy. Its application to the sacred thread makes the latter a more spiritual object.

The yellow color of this element of nature represents prosperity and abundance, making it especially appropriate for the festival devoted to the goddess of these qualities. Moreover, turmeric is believed to have the purifying properties and attract positive energies.

The Role of Kumkum

In addition to the Nombu Saradu, the women can apply Kumkum to their wrists or the thread. Kumkum symbolizes divine female energy, auspiciousness, and marital bliss.

The combination of Turmeric and Kumkum is a symbol of completeness, uniting the prosperity, purity, strength, and divine blessings of these sacred elements.

The Story behind the Tradition

According to the traditional beliefs, Charumathi, a pious woman, was asked in her dreams to observe Varalakshmi Vratham with devotion. Having followed the guidance of the Goddess, she observed the vratam, conducted the pooja and received numerous blessings not only for herself but also for her family and her entire community.

The tying of the sacred thread became an important element of this ritual, symbolizing acceptance of the blessings and the commitment to uphold the righteousness, devotion and gratitude.

When Is the Nombu Saradu Tied?

A married woman's husband ties the sacred thread at the end of the Varalakshmi Pooja, when the devotee offers prayers, flowers, fruits and special naivedyam. The priest, elder woman or the devotee herself ties the thread while saying prayers to Lakshmi.

Traditionally:

• The married women tie the thread on their right wrist.

• The young girls can also wear the sacred thread for receiving divine blessings.

• In some families the thread is divided between the family members as the symbol of the common prosperity and protection.

Spiritual Meaning of the Ritual

Though the Varalakshmi Nombu Thread itself is quite simple, its spiritual meaning is rather profound. This thread reminds the devotee about the real essence of prosperity. The blessings of Lakshmi Devi include the following:

• good health,

• family harmony,

• wisdom,

• success in righteous deeds,

• inner peace,

• gratitude and contentment.

The sacred thread is a daily reminder of these qualities even after the festival.

Continuing the Time-Honored Tradition

The tradition of tying the Nombu Saradu has been preserved through many generations. Mothers pass this custom to their daughters, preserving not only the customs but also values such as devotion, family unity and gratitude.

Even nowadays many families in India and abroad observe Varalakshmi Festival with enthusiasm, thus preserving this beautiful custom for the future generations.

Conclusion

Nombu Saradu is much more than the sacred thread – it is a symbol of devotion, protection, prosperity and divine grace. During the observation of Varalakshmi Vratham the devotee confirms his/her devotion to Goddess Lakshmi and prayers for the happiness of her family.

While wearing the sacred thread the devotee remembers about the blessings of Maha Lakshmi, encouraging her to follow the principles of devotion, compassion and pure faith all the year round.

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