Varalakshmi Vratam and its legends

Varalakshmi Vratam is a Hindu festival observed on the Friday before the full moon (Purnima) in Shravana (July-August). Varalakshmi means "the one who grants boons" and refers to a form of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity.

According to one legend, Varalakshmi Vratam was first performed by Parvati, the consort of Shiva, who wanted to attain wealth and happiness for her family. She asked Shiva to teach her a ritual that would please Lakshmi. Shiva then taught her the Varalakshmi Vratam and told her to perform it on the Friday before the full moon in Shravana. Parvati followed his instructions and was blessed by Lakshmi with all kinds of riches and joy. 

According to another legend, Varalakshmi Vratam was initiated by a pious woman named Charumati, who lived in Kundina. One night, she had a dream: Lakshmi appeared before her and asked her to perform the Varalakshmi Vratam on the Friday before the full moon in Shravana. She also told her to invite other women to the puja. Charumati woke up and shared her dream with her husband and friends. They all agreed to perform the Varalakshmi Vratam as instructed by Lakshmi.

They decorated their houses with mango leaves and flowers, prepared a kalasham (a pot) with rice, coins, betel leaves, and other auspicious items, and placed a coconut on top. They then invoked Lakshmi into the kalasham and offered her prayers, songs, fruits, sweets, and flowers. They also tied a sacred thread around their wrists as a symbol of protection and devotion. They then distributed the prasad (offering) among themselves and their families. As a result of their sincere worship, they were blessed by Lakshmi with wealth, health, happiness, and peace.

How is Varalakshmi Vratam celebrated

Varalakshmi Vratam is mainly celebrated by married women (sumangalis) in South India, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. However, anyone who wishes to seek Lakshmi's blessings can perform this puja. It is believed that worshipping Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi (the eight forms of Lakshmi), who represent different aspects of wealth such as love, strength, fame, pleasure, earth, learning, peace, and power.

The celebration of Varalakshmi Vratam begins a day before the puja (Thursday) when women clean their houses and prepare all the necessary items for the puja, such as kalasham, coconut, rice, fruits, sweets, flowers, etc. They also buy or make new clothes and jewelry for themselves and their families.

On the Varalakshmi Vratam (Friday), women wake up early before sunrise (Brahma Muhurtham) and bathe. They wear new or clean clothes and adorn themselves with jewelry. They also apply turmeric paste on their faces and hands as a sign of auspiciousness.

They then set up a puja area in their house or courtyard with a wooden plank or stool covered with a cloth. They draw rangoli (colorful patterns) on the floor with rice flour or chalk powder. They place the kalasham on the plank or stool and decorate it with mango leaves, flowers, kumkum (vermilion), turmeric powder, etc. They also place a coconut on top of the kalasham with a face of Lakshmi drawn or attached.

They then light a lamp and incense sticks near the kalasham and invoke Lakshmi into it with mantras (sacred chants). They offer her various items, such as rice, betel leaves, nuts, cloves, cinnamon, bangles, sarees, etc., as part of the shodashopachara puja (sixteen steps of worship). They also sing hymns and songs in praise of Lakshmi, such as Sri Suktam, Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names of Lakshmi), Lakshmi Sahasranamam (1000 names of Lakshmi), etc. They also perform arati (waving of lamps) and offer her naivedyam (food offering) such as payasam (rice pudding), modakam (sweet dumplings), vadai (fried lentil cakes), etc.

They then untie the sacred thread from the kalasham and tie it around their right wrists as a symbol of protection and devotion. They also exchange the thread with other women participating in the puja. They then distribute the prasad among themselves and their families. They also give gifts and charity to the poor and needy to express their gratitude to Lakshmi.

Varalakshmi Pooja timings and muhurat for Varalakshmi Vratham on August 16, 2024:

• Morning Muhurat (Leo Lagna): 05:33 AM to 07:41 AM
• Afternoon Muhurat (Scorpio Ascendant): 12:01 PM to 02:15 PM
• Evening Muhurat (Kumbha Ascendant): 06:10 PM to 07:46 PM
• Midnight Muhurat (Taurus Ascendant): 11:03 PM to 01:02 AM, August 17, 2024

Pooja procedure of Varalakshmi Vratam

The pooja procedure of Varalakshmi Vratam is as follows:

• Clean your house and prepare all the items required for the puja a day before the puja (Thursday).
• Wake up early in the morning before sunrise (Brahma Muhurtham) and take a bath. Wear new or clean clothes and jewelry. Apply turmeric paste on your face and hands.
• Set up a puja area in your house or courtyard with a wooden plank or stool covered with a cloth. Draw rangoli on the floor with rice flour or chalk powder.
• Place the kalasham on the plank or stool and decorate it with mango leaves, flowers, kumkum, turmeric powder, etc. Place a coconut on top of the kalasham with a face of Lakshmi drawn or attached on it.
• Light a lamp and incense sticks near the kalasham and invoke Lakshmi into it with mantras. Offer her various items as part of the shodashopachara puja. Sing hymns and songs in praise of Lakshmi. Perform arati and offer her naivedyam.
• Untie the sacred thread from the kalasham and tie it around your right wrist. Exchange the thread with other women who have participated in the puja.
• Distribute the prasad among yourself and your family. Give gifts and charity to the poor and needy.

Benefits of Chanting Lakshmi Ashtottaram

1. Attracts Wealth and Abundance: As the goddess of wealth, chanting her names is believed to attract prosperity and financial stability into one's life.

2. Promotes Spiritual Growth: Regular recitation helps purify the mind, enhance inner peace, and foster spiritual development.

3. Brings Peace and Harmony: The vibrations from chanting can create a serene and harmonious environment, benefiting both the individual and their surroundings.

4. Removes Obstacles: It is believed to remove obstacles and bring success in various endeavors.

5. Enhances Devotion: Chanting these names deepens one's devotion and connection to the divine, fostering a sense of gratitude and reverence.

The 108 names of Mahalakshmi

(While performing Archana, please add "Om" at the beginning and "Namaha:" at the end of each name.)

I hope you understand what Varalakshmi Vratam is, how it is celebrated, when it falls this year, what the procedure of the puja is, and what the benefits of observing it are. I hope you perform this puja with faith and devotion and receive Lakshmi's blessings. May you have a happy and prosperous Varalakshmi Vratam!