# I Promise to use Eco-Friendly Ganesha - Be a Change

We at ALAMKARA request everyone celebrating

to take an OATH for this Ganesh Chaturthi..! Let us all promise to use eco -friendly ganesha from this year n do our bit to save the environment.
‪#‎ipromise‬ ‪#‎Alamkara‬ Be a part of this change...

RICE FLOUR GANESHA : Boil 1 and half cups of water n add 1 cup of rice-flour on top of the boiling water. Do not mix it. Let it boil for 15-20 minutes. Later switch off the stove n mix the dough with wooden spoon. Let it cool for sometime. Once it is cooled u can knead the dough with ur hands. Use oil so the dough wont stick to ur hands. Now u can mould Ganesha as u desire.

9 GRAINS GANESHA : Mix 9 types of grains ie., lentils, chick peas, green peas, urad dal, soya bean, red kidney bean, rice grain, wheat, corn, millets with jaggery syrupn put it in Ganesh mould. After it sets remove it from the mould. 

TURMERIC GANESHA : Mix turmeric with lemon water n make a dough. Now u can mould Ganesha as u desire.

CLAY GANESHA : U can see the link below on how to make Clay Ganesha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j67VJ1GNgNQ

U can also buy Clay Ganesha from the stores given below/ link http://www.ecoganeshidol.com/

Please contact the stores in your city to book your idol. Please make sure you check with the store if an advance payment is necessary and when you can come and pick up the idol from them.

PUNE
COCOMAI
Shop no 1, Corniche Towers, North Avenue, Kalyani nagar
Pune 411006
Contact: 9881147721
SOHAMA ART
Royal Empress, Shop no 5, Near Sapling Nursery School,
Baner Road, Pune 45
Contact: Sheetal : (020) 65220903, 8080902027
Timings: 10 am to 9pm ( Lunch 2 to 4 pm) Mondays closed
KALAKRITI
Shop no 204, 2nd Floor, InOrbit Mall, Nagar Road,
Opp Viman Nagar, Pune 411014
Contact: (020)66245130 / 9762111311

EITHER OR
24 Sohrab Hall, 21 Sassoon Road, Opp Jehangir Hospital
Pune 411 001
Contact : Laxmi : (020) 66017666, 26057225, 26057228
Store Timings: 10.30 - 8.00 pm, Closed on Thursdays

NILAYA BANDHEJ
Ground Floor, ' Jayanti' Apts, Next to Ratna Hospital
Senapati Bapat Road, Pune 411016
Contact: 09561008225 / 9049146644
Timings: 10.30 - 7.00 pm, Closed on Sundays

OIKOS
210 Siddarth Towers, Kothrud, Survey No 12/3B
Pune 411029
Contact: 020-25451875, 9922446833.
Timings: 10.00 - 6.00 pm ( Kindly take a prior appointment. Closed on Sundays)

JAGTAP HORTICULTURE PVT. LTD.
Plot no 12, Sr No. 138 / 139, Behind Season's Mall,
Magarpatta City, Hadapsar, Pune 411013
Contact: (020) 67230111 / 0555 Komal:  8308800751
PAGDANDI - BOOK CHAI CAFE
XBaner Pashan Link Road, Baner,
Pune 411 045
Contact: Neha Pipraiya 9158900509 / 9890992470
SINDS POONA CLUB STORE
The Poona Club Ltd,
6 Bund Garden Road, Pune 411001
Contact: Varun Punjabi : (020) 26331785
Email: sindsclubshop@gmail.com
Timings: 10.30 - 2.00 and 4.00 - 8.30 pm
THE BOMBAY STORE
322 M G Road Pune 411001
Timings: 10.30 am - 8.30 pm
Contact : (020) 26131891 / 1067
ROOPA DADIA
D 402 Sky Lounge, Kalyani nagar
Pune 411006
Contact: 9322211424
ANKUR PAWAR
Kharadi Chandannagar, Pune 411014
Contact: 7875757604, 9225506899
Timings: 10.00 - 9.00 pm
GREEN OK PLEASE
Flat no 11 Bldg B6 Kumar Aangan
Near Gunjan Theater
Old airport Road
Yerawada, Pune 411006
Ph: 08888847322
GEETA TELKAR
Nayati Envron, Silver Oak Building,
Flat no 903, Adarsh Colony, Lane no 5
Tingrenagar, Vishrantwadi
Ph. 8806330088 / 9823641715
THE ART SHOP
Shop no 2, Regent Plaza,
Baner - Pashan Link Rd,Pune 411045
Ph. 9822478100 / 020 65005200https://www.facebook.com/theartshop.pune
WARSAA
The Heritage shop,
Shaniwar Wada
Pune 411030
Ph. 9822055118www.facebook.com/warsaaheritage

ART ETC
Shop no 1, Rahul Park,
Near Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale
Gaekwad Nagar, Aundh
Pune 411007
Contact: Narendra Sachar 9920320709

PIMPRI CHINCHWAD / PIMPLE SAUDAGAR
ANUP AGENCIES GIFT HOUSE
32/1 Shridharnagar, Vaishali Apts
Near Datta Mandir, Chinchwadgaon, Behind Elpro
Pune 411033
Contact: (020) 27354486, 9921090003
GEETA TELKAR
Monica Apt no 16, Flat no 8, Pimpri Pune 411017
Contact: 9823641715
SHILPA GIRI
X 201 Roseland Residency, Gate No 4, Pimple Saudagar
Pune 411 027
Contact: 9881714769 / 9881714796

MUMBAI
THE BOMBAY STORE
Western India House, Sir P.M.Road, Fort,Mumbai- 400 001.
Contact: (022) 4066 9999
Timings: 10:30am to 7:30pm (Sun- 10:30am to 6:30pm)
RADHIKA ARORA
No 6 Vasant Park, Janaki Kutir
Juhu Church Road
Mumbai 400 049
(Pick up of idols will be from this address  : A2 Anand Soc, 17 Juhu Lane, Andheri West
Behind Shoppers stop)
Contact: 9820676765
DHOOP CRAFTS
Ground floor, Mangal Kunj Bldg, B Wing,
Junction of 32nd and 36th Road
National college Lane, Off Linking road, Bandra West, Mumbai 400 050
Contact: (022) 26403917/65819351/52
Timings: 11.00am-8.00pm(Sundays closed)
GREENWAYS
Nikhil villa, 19 Carmichael Road, Mumbai 400 026
Contact: 022-23520684, 022- 23526291
Timing - 10.30 am - 6.30 pm Sundays closed

SURITI CULTURE SHOP
Level 2, Haiko Mall, Central Avenue,
Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai 400076
Contact: (022) 40406400, Santoshi 9892687053
Email id : cultureshopmumbai@gmail.com
Timings: 11.00 am- 9.00pm

HEENA CHOKSI
Sakhi Apartments, Flat no 901 Opp Sanskruti Bhawan
Swaminarayan Mandir Lane, M G Road, Kandivali West Mumbai
Contact: (022) 09833664750, 09892034750, Contact between 1pm to 6pm

HEENA CHOKSI
Store: Urvashi, 99C Queens road, La Cicadella,
Nr Income tax office, Mumbai 400 020
Contact: (022) 22007956 between 2pm to 4pm.
MAATI CRAFTS
Shop #155, 1st Floor, Powai Plaza,
Opp. Pizza Hut, Hiranandani Gardens,
Powai, Mumbai -400076
e: maaticrafts@gmail.com
ph: 022-25717209 / 6453 2111

VEENA WATANEY
B-17 / 701, Siddhachal Phase 3 C.H.Society,
Near Vasant Vihar High School, Thane(w)
Contact: 9820502968
Timing : 10 a.m to 10 p.m

HYDERABAD
DAARAM
1-10-3/1, Boorugu Vihar, Lane next to Andhra Bank, Near Prakash Nagar, Opp: Old Airport Lane, Behind Bottles & Chimneys, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500016
Contact: (040) 27765503/40179171/ Lata: 9849023417
Timings: 11am to 8pm, Closed on Wednesdays.
ECOCONCEPTS
1-6-174/4 Bapujinagar, Musheerabad, Hyderabad 500020
Contact: PVK Rameshwar Rao : 9246224225 T Ravikanth: 9885681385
Email: ecoconcepts13 @gmail.com / travikant@rediffmail.com / panchalavarapu@gmail.com

BANGALORE
A HUNDRED HANDS
No 4 Ashley road, Behind Ajanta Hotel,
Off Brunton Road, Behind MG Road, Bangalore 560 025
Contact: Mala Dhawan: 080 25583292 / 98450 08482
EKA ULSOOR
#19 Gangadhar Chetty Road, opp RBANMS Grounds
Near Ulsoor Lake
Bangalore 560 042
Contact: 25544371 ; 25540876 ; 9845477648
EKA JAYANAGAR
#523 New Diagonal Road, Behind Bhima Jewellers
3rd block Jayanagar
Bangalore 560 011
Contact: 26655551 ; 26655552 ; 9845236451
EKA WHITEFIELD
#G66A  Lower Ground Floor, Phoenix Market City Mall
Whitefield Road, K R Puram
Bangalore
Contact: 9740671200

SOLAPUR
JNANA PRABODHINI SCHOOL156, D Railway lines,
Dafrin chowk, Solapur.
Contact person - Mr. Rohan Bayas - Mob.: 090964 53461
                         Landline - 0217 2317782

DELHI
ANKIT JAINFlat No. 3F, Neethi Apartments, Patparganj, IP Extension,New Delhi - 110092.Contact Number: 9769804968 / 09910369002
GIFTS OF LOVES-15, Select CITYWALKSaket, New Delhi-110017Tel.: 0124-4308096/97mob. 9811399169


MEENAKSHI KAPOORKapoor Niwas, 9774-A, Behind 1C-9, New Rohtak Road, New Delhi-110005.Tel: 011-28713184Mob. 09891495048


MYSORE
DHATUNo 2826 First floor, 10th cross ( off Kalidasa Road)V V Mohalla, Mysore 570002
Contact: HemanthMob. 9731748108

CHOCOLATE GANESHA : U can used Modeling chocolate n mould the ganesha as u desire. Here is a link on how to make modeling chocolate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMWZg9xG9gA

WHEAT FLOUR GANESHA : Mix wheat flour with water and make it a dough. N now u can mould Ganesha as u desire. 


VISARJAN OF ECO FRIENDLY GANESHAS

The Ganeshas made of Turmeric and Clay can be either immersed in the lakes or other water bodies which will not harm it, else can be immersed in a bucket of water at your homes and the water later can be used for watering the trees or plants.

Ganeshas made of Chocolate, Wheat Flour, Rice Flour and Grains can be converted easily into Prasad and distributed.

References:
http://www.ecoganeshidol.com
www.wikipedia.com

Varamahalakshmi Alamkara Contest

May the Goddess ‪#‎Varalakshmi‬ bless us with health, wealth & prosperity,We bring to you 

After the puja click a picture of the goddess / decoration and upload it on your facebook (www.facebook.com/myalamkara) timeline.

Do not forget to tag us on  ‪#‎Alamkara‬ ‪#‎Varamahalakshmi‬

Win a hamper from Alamkara along with a Lakshmi Gold Coin

Contest ends 8th Sept and Winners will be announced on 9th Sept

Varamahalakshmi Festival Package Kit

Celebrate this year's Varamahalakshmi Vratha/ Vratham/ Vrath with Alamkara's Festival Kit - Make UR Decorations Divine..

Call or WhatsApp us +919743677725 or Write to us alamkaraindia@gmail.com. U can also check our website www.alamkara.in 

Buy your Varamahalakshmi Festival Package Kit

Premium - 5,400/- Includes 12 items 

Regular - 3,000/- Includes 12 items

Includes Shipping too (India Only)

Detailed list of the items are mentioned below

Premium Kit Includes :                                                           

Varamahalakshmi Mask

Saree Stand (Green/Red)

Single Arch Stand

Banana Stem Stand

Carnation Garland

Antique Kalasa Red Rangoli

Antique Heart shaped Diya Base

Jasmine Buds Jada

Aarti Plate with Pasupu kumkum bowls

CD/ Book

Tilakam

Lakshmi kasu haara  Regular Kit Includes :

Varamahalakshmi Mask

Varamahalakshmi Stand

Banana Stem Stand

Plain White Dindu

Gold Beads Red Flower Rangoli

Red Kundan Motifs Diya Base

Jasmine Buds Jada

Aarti Plate

CD/ Book

Mango Pasupu Kumkum Box

Tilakam

Lakshmi kasu haara

Varamahalakshmi Vratha / Vratham / Puja

About the Vratham, How did it Originate ?

Varalakshmi Vrata is a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (Varam). It is an important pooja performed by many married women in South India and Maharashtra. The Hindu festival is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before full moon day -Poornima in the month of Śravaṇā (Sawan in hindi) which corresponds to the English months of August- September.

This pooja can be done with no restriction to caste or creed. To this day many women observe this traditional festival praying Varamahalakshmi for her blesses in form wealth and well being of their family.

Vishnu is also called Ashta Lakshmi Padhi which is equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight-Lakshmis or forces. Eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Siri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvathi (learning), Prithvi (also Earth), Keerthi (Fame), Shanthi (Peace), Santhushti(Pleasure) and Pushti(Strength). Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus. 

This Festival is also called as Varalakshmi Vratham, Varamahalakshmi Vratham, Lakshmi Vratham / Vratha

Varamahalakshmi Vratham setup by Alamkara

Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on Varalakshmi Vrata day is equivalent to worshipping Ashta lakshmi

The importance of Varalakshmi Puja is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. It is believed that importance of Varalakshmi Puja was narrated to Goddess Parvati by Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati wanted to know about a Vrata that is highly beneficial to a woman, which will help her lead a happy and prosperous life on earth. Lord Shiva then mentioned about the Varamahalakshmi Vratam.

According to a legend, In the kingdom of Magadha of yore, there lived a Brahmin woman called Charumathi in a town named Kundina. The prosperous town was the home of Charumathi and her husband. Impressed by her devotion to her family, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to worship Vara-Lakshmi (Vara = boon, Lakshmi = goddess of wealth) and seek to fulfill her wishes. Varalakshmi is yet another form of Lord Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The prayer/worship was prescribed to be offered on the Friday of Sravana month preceding the night of full moon.

When Charumathi explained her dream to her family, she found them encouraging her to perform the pooja. Many other women of the village joined her in performing the pooja in a traditional way and offered many sweet dishes to the Goddess Varalakshmi.

How to perform puja:

The Vratha is as follows. 

Early in the morning women after taking bath, make a rangoli on the place where the kalasha is placed.

Next is the preparation of the ‘kalasham or kalash.’ A bronze or silver pot is selected and is cleaned thoroughly and a swastika symbol is drawn and is smeared with sandalwood paste. The kalasham pot is filled with raw rice or water, coins, a single whole lime, five different kinds of leaves, and beetle nut. The items used to fill the kalasham vary from region to region and includes turmeric, comb, mirror, small black bangles and black beads.

The kalasham up to the neck is sometimes covered with a cloth and mango leaves are placed on the mouth of the kalasham.

Finally, a coconut smeared with turmeric is used to close the mouth of the kalasham. To this coconut, an image of Goddess Lakshmi is fixed or the image of Lakshmi is drawn using turmeric powder. Now the kalasham symbolically represents Goddess Lakshmi.

The kalasham is usually placed on a bed of rice.

First Lord Ganesha is worshipped. Then begins the Varalakshmi Puja. The puja consists of singing slokas dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi like the Lakshmi Sahasranamam. Naivedyam is offered. Arati is performed 

The raksha is worshiped for a second time and tied to the right hand of the woman. Articles are given as charity to sumangalis (married woman).

Thamboolam – betel leaf, areca nut and slaked lime – is offered to women in the locality and in the evening an arati is offered.

The next day, that is on Saturday, after taking a bath the kalasham is dismantled and the water in the kalasham is sprinkled in the house. If rice is used then it is mixed with rice in the house.

There are no hard and fast rules in performing the Varalakshmi Puja and you can be flexible on the puja items. Even a simple prayer will please Goddess Lakshmi.

Buy all your Varamahalakshmi Festival Needs at www.alamkara.in

Requirements for Varamahalakshmi Puja

This is only a general list of things required. The puja requirements vary from region to region.

• Picture or image or idol of Maha Lakshmi.
• A Kalash pot for Purna Kumbha – clay or silver.
• Lamps, bells, agarbathis – usual puja articles.
• Usual decorations for puja.
• Cotton dress for the idol or garlands
• A piece of blouse to cover the idol.
• Threads or Saradu
• Mirror
• Bananas
• Locally available fruits
• Dhruva grass
• Fragrant leaves
• Betel leaves
• Betel nuts
• Banana leaf with tip or a tray

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varalakshmi_Vratam

http://www.karnataka.com/festivals/vara-mahalakshmi/

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2007/08/how-to-perform-varalakshmi-puja.html

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/07/varalakshmi-puja-2009-varamahalakshmi.html

Products of Alamkara

Keeping in mind the main goal behind this venture that’s to encourage homemakers to become entrepreneurs in their free time, all the products here at ALAMKARA are handmade and homemade by these specialized craftswoman. Also all our products can be used differently, depending on the creativity of our customers.

HANDMADE FLOWERS 

All these flowers are made from different types of fabric. They are used for decoration of Idols and home.

TYPES

• Single flower
• Creepers
• Dindu –tying of flowers
• Garlands 

Our name Alamkara is a Sanskrit word meaning ornamentation and decoration.

The verb Alam- Kara literally translates to “doing enough” embellishments on the body to enhance its appearance is ALAMKARA.

Alamkara is a step towards making our traditional Indian designs available to global customers. We believe that there are many talented Woman hidden in every household waiting to pour their creativity and craftsmanship to create something beautiful. Hence we have created an opportunity for them to showcase their talent and earn through this startup for home accessories. This being said, Alamkara is an online exhibit of home décor ranging from beautiful Rangoli to floral arrangements.  We also offer a wide variety of hand crafted ornaments which can be used in domestic, religious or courtly settings.

OUR INSPIRATION

We, at Alamkara.com, are confident that today’s homemakers are tomorrow’s entrepreneurs. This was inspired by our current government’s initiative of MAKE IN INDIA. We took a leap towards entrepreneurship, aiming for a greater good which will reshape the lives of many homemakers in India into successful individuals.

WHY US

If you think that your home lacks a few soulfully crafted pieces, then you will love Alamkara. We have a broad selection of decoration items which provides enhanced shopping experience. Eliminating the middlemen, we connect a bridge between the consumers and the craftswoman. We not only empower the Woman but also preserve our Indian culture, vibrancy, tradition and colors. This is a one stop shop for all decorative accessories which cannot be found elsewhere.