(Image source from: mylapore times)

Varalakshmi Vratham, an auspicious festival dedicated to Goddess Varalakshmi, this year is observed on August 9 (Friday). Varalakshmi Puja is performed by women in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. It is generally performed by married women for the prosperity of their family in the Shraavana Masam.

It is predominantly believed that praying to Goddess Vara Maha Lakshmi on this day is much the same as to worshiping Ashta-Lakshmi - the eight goddesses of Earth, Wealth, Love, Learning, Fame, Peace, Pleasure, and Strength.

Story Behind Varalakshmi Vratham

According to Hindu mythology, the Skanda Puranam says that Lord Shiva himself has informed about the Vara Lakshmi Vratham to Parvathi when she asked Lord Shiva to recommend a vratam that will be favorable to women.

At that time Lord Shiva narrates the Story of Charumathi to Goddess Parvathi to educate about the glory of the Vratham.

                       (Image source from: TheHolidaySpot)

A Brahmin woman named Charumathi lived in a town named Kundinyapura (now in Amravati district in Maharashtra). With utmost dedication, Charumathi served her husband and her parents-in-law with loyalty.

Goddess Lakshmi, who was amazed by Charumathi’s genuineness, then appeared in her dream and asks her to worship her as “Varalakashmi” to fulfill all her wishes before long. According to Skanda Puranam, she has also assigned Friday of Sravana month before the full moon day to perform Vratham.

As soon as Charumathi explained her to her family, they supported her in all respects. Subsequently, many other women of the village joined her in performing the pooja traditionally and offered a lot of sweets to the Goddess Varalakshmi, along with sacred chants.

2019 Varalakshmi Vratham Puja Timings

Simha Lagna Puja Muhurat (morning) - 06:35 a.m. to 08:42 a.m.

Vrishchika Lagna Puja Muhurat (afternoon) - 12:57 p.m. to 03:10 p.m.

Kumbha Lagna Puja Muhurat (evening) - 07:07 p.m. to 08:45 p.m.

Vrishabha Lagna Puja Muhurat (midnight) - 12:06 a.m. to 02:07 a.m.

The fasting period begins on Friday morning from sunrise and ends once the puja is done.

How to Perform Varalakshmi Puja?

Women wake up early in the morning in Brahma muhurta and take a bath. Then the designated puja area and the house is cleaned well and a ‘kolam’ or rangoli is drawn at the place where puja is being performed.

Then comes the preparation of ‘kalasham.’ It is suggested to pick out a silver or bronze pot and clean it thoroughly. Draw a swastika symbol on it and coat it with sandalwood paste. The kalasham or pot must be filled with water or uncooked rice, coins, a single whole lime, five different kinds of leaves, and beetle nut. According to own traditions as per regions, you can include a comb, turmeric, mirror, black beeds, and small black bangles.

The pot can also be covered with a cloth and mango leaves are set on the mouth of kalasham. At last, a coconut coated with turmeric and image of Goddess Lakshmi drawn using turmeric powder, is used to close the mouth of the kalasham.

                        (Image source from: Pinterest)

Now the kalasham - the silver or bronze pot - symbolically represents Goddess Lakshmi.

Nowadays, you can also find ready-made Varalakshmi pots in the market.

The kalasham or pot is placed on the base of rice. The Varalakshmi puja begins after worships Lord Ganesha. Arati is performed on kalasham in the evening as well. You can offer different kinds of sweets. In some regions, women tie a yellow thread on their hand. The puja includes chanting slokas dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

Thamboolam - betel leaf, areca nut, and slaked lime - is given to women in the neighborhood.

The very next day (Saturday), Kalasham is dismantled after taking a bath and the water in the Kalasham is sprinkled in the house and the rice is mixed with rice in the house.

By Sowmya Sangam