This is the festival to propitiate the Goddess Lakshmi. Varalakshmi grants boons. It is an important pooja performed by many women in South India.
It is mostly celebrated on the second Friday or the Friday before the day of the full moon in the month of Shravana between July and August.
Varalakshmi Vratam is mostly performed by the women of south India for their own well being and that of all their family members.
On this occasion, women worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion offering fruits, sweets and flowers, usually a kalasam (representing the deity) will be decorated with a saree, flowers and gold jewellery with offerings placed in front.
On Varaakshmi Vratam day, women worship Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis
Aadi Lakshmi (the Protector)
Dhana Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth)
Dhairya Lakshmi (Goddess of Courage)
Sobhagya Lakshmi (Goddess of Prosperity)
Vijaya Lakshmi (Goddess of Victory)
Dhanya Lakshmi (Goddess of Nourishment)
Santana Lakshmi (Goddess of Progeny)
Vidhya Lakshmi (Goddess of Wisdom)
Required Pooja Kit for the Varalakshmi Pooja Kit:
Haridra, Kumkum, Sindhoor, Akshatha, Chandanam, Vastra, Dora Granthi, Yagnopaveetha, Karpoora, Agarbathies, Peetha for Puja Bell, Diya, Peetha for Sri Varalakashmi, Sri Varamahalakshmi Idol, Sri Varamahalakshmi Mukhavada, Kalasha, Panchapatra, Udharana, Arghyapatra, Pugiphala, Fresh Fruits, Sweets, Flowers etc.
Varalakshmi Vratam Pooja Vidhi:
On this day, wake up early, clean all the house, take bath, and do the shuddi of puja area with Gangajal (holy water). After this, place the Varalakshmi Photo or idol on the puja platform. Decorate Goddess Lakshmi with new clothes, jewellery, kumkum, and flowers. Offer akshat, chandan, kumkum, sindoor, to the goddess. Offer fresh fruits, sweets, and water to the goddess. Perform Goddess Lakshmi Aarti with Diya, Kapoor and agarbatti. It’s advisable to refrain from eating anything on this day and devotees should keep fast till late at night.
Varalakshmi Vratam Fasting Rules:
Those who want to perform Varalakshmi Vratam Should refrain from eating meals on this day. Do not eat anything before Varalakshmi Puja. First, perform the Varalakshmi pooja, do the Lakshmi Aarti, distribute the Prasada among family and friends. One can eat fruits after performing Varalakshmi aarti-archna at night. Meals should be consumed the next day after performing Parana.
Varalakshmi Vratam Mantra:
Padmaasane Padmakare Sarva Lokaika Poojithe
Narayanapriya Devi Supreethaa Bhava Sarvada
Meaning of Mantra:
She who sits in the lotus, she who holds the lotus, she to whom all the worlds pray
Goddess who is dear to Narayana, be kind/good to me