Varamahalakshmi Puja & Vratam

Varamahalakshmi Puja & Vratam

When is it performed?

Varalakshmi vratam, also called Varamahalakshmi vratam is observed on the second Friday or on the Friday just before Poornima (full moon) of Shravan month. It corresponds to the months of July or August on the English calendar. In 2023 it falls on August 25, Friday.

Puja Muhurta for 2023

Lakshmi Puja muhurta for August 25 (for Ujjain, India):

Simha Lagna Puja Muhurta = August 25, 2023 6:10 AM - 7:50 AM

Vrishchika Lagna Puja Muhurta = August 25, 12:15 PM - 2:31 PM

Kumbha Lagna Puja Muhurta = August 25, 6:23 PM - 7:56 PM

Vrishabha Lagna Puja Muhurta = August 25, 11:06 PM - August 26, 1:04 AM

For your respective region, you could check any panchang that gives details of the Puja timings.

Significance

Married women follow the special Varalakshmi vratam to ask for blessings for their whole family, especially their husband and children. According to Sanatana Dharma, it's strongly believed that worshiping Goddess Lakshmi on this special day is like saying prayers to the eight Goddesses (Asthalakshmi) of Love, Wealth, Strength, Peace, Fame, Pleasure, Earth, and Learning. Anyone can do this practice, no matter their background or beliefs.

Goddess Lakshmi is the presiding deity of prosperity, wealth, fortune, wisdom, light, generosity, courage and fertility. The women, particularly married ones, perform this vratam to please Goddess Lakshmi and receive Her divine grace. the women pray to the Goddess for the long life of their respective husbands and also seek blessings for good progeny. Varalakshmi vratam is primarily a festival for women and is celebrated by women only. The importance of Varalakshmi vratam is explained in the 'Skanda Purana'.

Ritual for the Puja

The preparations for Varalakshmi vratam start the day before, which is a Thursday. All the things needed for the worship are gathered in advance.

On the actual day of Varalakshmi vratam, which is Friday, devotees wake up early, bathe, and get ready. It's best to wake up during a time called 'Brahma Muhurta,' just before sunrise.

After the morning routines, people clean their homes and surroundings. They also create a beautiful design called 'kolam' (rangoli) where they will perform the worship.

The next step is to get a special pot called 'Kalasha' ready. This pot can be made of silver or bronze. It's cleaned carefully and then marked with a 'swastika' symbol. It's filled with water or rice, a lime, coins, beetle nut, and five different leaves. The items inside the pot might vary depending on where you are. Some places might even use turmeric, black beads, a mirror, small black bangles, or a comb. 

The top of the Kalasha is covered with a clean cloth and mango leaves. A coconut covered in turmeric is placed on top. A picture of Goddess Lakshmi is put on the coconut. This whole setup represents Goddess Varalakshmi and is worshipped with love.

The Kalasha is put on a pile of rice. The worship begins with praying to Lord Ganesha. Slokas like 'Lakshmi Sahasranamam' are chanted to praise Goddess Lakshmi. Sweets are made at home and offered. In some places, a dish called Pongal is also given as an offering. Finally, a special ceremony called 'aarti' is done with the Kalasha. During the worship, women tie a yellow thread around their hands.

In some areas, a mirror is placed behind the Kalasha. You can also buy ready-made Kalasha pots for the Varalakshmi Vratam.

Women who are observing the Varalakshmi Vratam should avoid certain foods. This rule can change based on where you are. In some places, they fast until the worship ceremony is done.

On Saturday, the day after the worship, devotees take a bath and then take apart the Kalasha used in the worship. The water from the Kalasha is sprinkled around the house, and if rice was used, it's mixed with the rice at home.

Puja Methods

You could either follow the 16 step puja method given in our book () or you could chant any of the following stotras or mantras and complete the puja. If you are motivated or energized, then you could read all 3 of them.

  • Ashta-Lakshmi Stotra
  • Lakshmi Shatakam
  • Lakshmi Stava

 If you have questions or need any further details please put a comment below and we will be happy to help you.

 

 

 

 

 

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4 comments

Can you please let me know that is it compulsory to follow the muharat time accordingly,as I m from vrishchik lagna please let me know ingredients to follow for fasting

KhushbooJoshi

Can unmarried women observe fast and do varlakshmi vratam?

Megha koli

Pranam Ushijo, thanks for your detailed post on Varalakshmi rituals. Kindly post a picture of the ready kalash that represents Varalakshmi to be worshipped as the deity. That will make things easy for me to understand . Thank you. 🙏

Jyotika Parmar

Pranam Ushijo, thanks for your detailed post on Varalakshmi rituals. Kindly post a picture of the ready kalash that represents Varalakshmi to be worshipped as the deity. That will make things easy for me to understand . Thank you. 🙏

Jyotika Parmar

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