Varalakshmi Vratham is one of the eight most cardinal and widely celebrated festivals in the states of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. It is the festival of weal and well being to our families.

Varalakshmi refers to “Goddess Maha Lakshmi” who present boon to all their devotees and Vratham means “ prayer offered to God”. Varalakshmi Vratham prayer offered to Goddess Maha Lakshmi is nothing but the Hindu Goddess of wealth and riches, that one who grant a boon to her worshipers.

Varalakshmi, the clan Goddess of the most Hindu families is portrayed as women of golden glow, with four hands especially in one of the hand holds a jar overflowed with gold coins and she is either sitting or standing in full red color lotus and also carrying a lotus in one or two hands.

The lotus symbolizes knowledge, purity, and beauty in the Vedic context, and represents reality, consciousness, and karma (work, deed) in the Tantra context. Her four hands denote life, will, liberation and wealth from life.

When we are seeing Goddess Lakshmi, wearing a gold embroidered red color saree, where red color indicates that luck and gold color represents affluence. Goddess Lakshmi signifies that aiswaryam. South Indian women during all pooja and other festival times, they wear saree with gold jewelry look like goddess Lakshmi. On that day Varalakshmi Vratham, purchasing gold is very auspicious and will get more wealth.

Benefits of varalakshmi vratham :

Varalakshmi vrat is mainly performed by married women for the well being of their family and especially for their husband. On this day, Goddess Varalakshmi is equal to worship the Ashtalakshmi who is the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Wisdom, Love, Fame, Peace, Liking and Strength.

They take bath in Brahmamurtham(Brahma muhurtam (time of Brahma) is a period one and half hours before the sunrise), decorate the pooja hall or room with rangoli and Maa kolam.

The kalasam is prepared by silver or a bronze pot is used. The Swashtik symbol is drawn in the pooja hall or room and the sandalwood paste is smear it into all places of the room.

Kalasam is making with gold jewellery and it is partially filled with the holy water from any river. And the kalasam is filled with five different kinds of leaves, water, coins, raw rice, and betel nut. Some fancy products like mirror, turmeric, small black bangles, black beads, and comb are also included. And the neck of kalasam is covered with a cloth, mango leaves, a beautiful Rose maala. To this coconut, face mould of Mahalakshmi Ammavaaru is fixed. Now the Kalasam is called Devi. The kalasam is placed in front of Goddess Lakshmi idol. First, the pooja is started with full divine and worship of Lord Ganesha, followed by Maha Lakshmi pooja and taking aarti is also performed on that occasion. At this festival, it is assumed that our family members are blessed by Goddess Lakshmi.

Sweets are given to nearby houses, to our relations and family members. Then a new clothes were worn on this occasion. On Saturday, the kalasa water is sprinkled into pooja hall, bedrooms, kitchen and all other places in our homes. The sprinkled kalasa water gives a positive reaction to our family. And Finally, we welcome Goddess Mahalakshmi, the abode of all auspiciousness and prosperity in our lives.

Author's Bio: 

Varalakshmi vratham is mainly performed by married women for the well being of their family and especially for their husband.