Varalakshmi Vratham

Varalakshmi Vrathamr
Varalakshmi Vratham is the most auspicious and important ritual that is celebrated in the honour of Goddess Varalakshmi. She is one of the forms of Goddess Lakshmi and also she is the divine consort of Lord Vishnu. She was incarnated from the milky ocean. This festival is grandly celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and TamilNadu. It is mostly observed by married womens. Married womens observe fasting and offering special prayers to Goddess Varalakshmi on the day of Varalakshmi Vratham to seek blessings for the entire family, especially for the well-being of their husband and children.

Story Behind Varalakshmi Vrathamr
In the kingdom of Magadha of yore, there lived a humble and kind natured Brahmin woman named charumathi. She devotedly served her husband and family. Goddess Lakshmi impressed by her sincerity and piety. She appeared in her dream and asked her to perform the Varalakshmi Pooja to fulfill her wishes. She briefly explained the Varalakshmi Vratham Puja Procedure in her dream. Charumathi woke up and explained about her dream to her family. She found them encouraging her to perform the puja. Many other women of the town also joined and observe this vrat with full devotion and dedication in a traditional way.

How to Make Kalasha for Varalakshmi Vrathamr
On the auspicious day of Varalakshmi Vratham, devotees wake up early in the morning and decorate their front yards with rangolis and then make kalasha. Kalasha is the symbolic representation of the Goddess Lakshmi in most pujas. Place a wooden plank in eastern side of the house and a swastika symbol is drawn on the wooden plank by using rice flour. A banana leaf or thambulam is placed on the top of the plank. Spread some rice on the banana leaf and then place the kalasam over the rice. Usually a bronze or silver pot is selected. The silver pot is decorated with turmeric and Kumkum dots in all sides and then the kalasha is filled with rice or water, coins, turmeric, betel leaf and a nut. Decorate the neck of the pot with some mango leaves and then place coconut over the mango leaves. The eyes of the coconut must be on the top. Decorate the pot with flowers and cover the pot with a new unstitched cloth. Now place the face of Goddess varalakshmi on the coconut and then decorate the amman face with turmeric and kumkum. Offering Panju thiri malai to Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is very auspicious. After the completion of decoration karpura aarathi is performed. The next day, the water from the pot is sprinkled all round in the house and the raw rice grains are utilized to prepare a meal for the family.

Significance of Varalakshmi Vrathamr
Varalakshmi vratham is observed on the second Friday during the month of Shravana Shukla Paksha. Vara means boon and Goddess Lakshmi grants all boons to the devotees who is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that devotees those who worshipping Goddess Varalakshmi on the auspicious day of Varalakshmi Vratham, they will get the equivalent benefits of worshipping the eight goddesses of wealth, Earth, Learing, Love, Fame, Peace, Pleasure and strength which is known as Ashtalakshmi.

Benefits of Performing Varalakshmi Vratham
• Gives immense wealth, health, prosperity and knowledge
• Helps to achieve success in life
• Provides relief from financial problems
• Fulfill all desires of devotees
• Nullifies the negative effects