Varalakshmi Puja / Vratam- Procedure, Ritual, Time & Date in 2018

Varalakshmi Puja is solely dedicated to goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is the goddess who endows boons (Vara) and the goddess grants boon to all who perform this puja with soulful devotion. It is a significant puja in states of Southern India like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

Varalakshmi Vrat is performed by Hindu married women for the well-being of husband, family members, children etc. It is believed that on this day worshipping goddess Lakshmi is equivalent to Astalakshmi means the eight goddess of well-being, love, peace, earth, fame, learning, happiness and strength.

History of Varalakshmi Puja

There is a story behind this puja which took a great consideration and is followed heartily by devotees. It is said that in Magadha of yore lived a Brahmin woman named Chaturmathi with her husband in Kundina town.

Her town was prosperous and wealthy. One day Goddess Lakshmi emerged in her dream and poses her to do VaraLakshmi Vrat and seek her to grant her wishes. Then Chaturmathi elucidated about her dream to the family and encouraged them to do so. Many women of the village came to know about this and started worshipping Goddess Varalaksmi on the night of full moon by performing puja according to tradition.

On this occasion, women pray to the goddess with utmost devotion by offering sweets (Naivedyam) and flowers. Usually, a Kalash (represented as Lakshmi) or the idol of the deity is worn a new saree, gold ornaments and flowers. This puja can be performed by anyone irrespective of caste and creed to seek blessings of Maa Lakshmi.

Significance of Vrat

This Vrat signifies eight energies i.e. Ashtalakshmi which is in the form of Shanti (peace), Prithi(Love), Bhu (earth), Sarasvathi (Learning), Keerthi (Fame), Siri (Wealth), Pushti (Strength) and Santuthi (Pleasure). Lord Vishnu is the Ashtalakshmi Pati is said to be the core of driving these energies. These energies are driven by the preservative Lord Vishnu and are beyond the comprehension of human beings. Therefore the goddess is worshipped for health, wealth and prosperity of husband, family, and children.

Varalakshmi Puja Legend

The Legend recites that this Vrat was instigated by none other than Lord Parmeshwara (Shiva) to her beloved wife Parvathi to seek happiness and prosperity of her family and children. Thus this was imitated by married women for the prosperity of spouse and offsprings. Sometimes women also worship and keep vrat to be blessed with the baby.

Naivedyam (Offerings)

There are many dishes that are prepared during this puja. You can choose 5, 7, or 9 dishes to offer from below list-

• Rice Idli
• Rice Appam
• Sweet Samosa
• Paruppu
• Urad dal vada/ Medu Vada
• Cur Vada
• Masala Vada
• Sundal varieties
• Pooran Kozukhattai
• Easy Kozukhattai
• Easy Sweet Pooran Kozukhattai
• Sweet Appam
• Payasam Varieties
• No garlic No Onion Menu
• Poornalu
• Rice varieties
• Andhra Pulihora recipes and many more.
• Pooja Components or Items-
• Rice flour and colors to draw rangoli
• Sandal paste
• Few Banana Leaves
• Thambaalam or a big plate
• Raw rice
• Kalash
• Coconut
• Scented water with Maze, cardamom, Saffron, cloves and edible camphor
• Turmeric powder, Kumkum, Chandan and Askhata
• Lotus flower
• The face of Goddess Lakshmi
• New Saree and gold jewellery
• Flowers and garlands
• Betel leaves, Betelnut
• Banana, fruits and sweets
• Thoram i.e. a sacred thread
• Milk, dry fruits, and nuts
• Panchamrita

Varalakshmi Pooja Vidhi/Procedure

Ganesha Pooja- Lord Ganesha has attained first place in every puja and is said to bring prospering and happiness. So start by making a small cone-shaped idol of Ganesha and place it near the Kalasha. Worship the Lord and chant the given blow strotam and move the Ganesha’s idol towards north direction.

Shukla-Ambara-Dharam Vissnnum Shashi-Varnnam Chatur-Bhujam |

Prasanna-Vadanam Dhyaayet Sarva-Vighno[a-U]pashaantaye ||

Avahanam(Inviting) and Anga Puja – Take some flowers and akshata in right hand and chant the following shloka for inviting of Goddess Lakshmi to your house.

Lakshmi Ksheera Samudra Raaja Tanaya

Sree Ranga Dhaameshvari

Daasi Bhootha Samasata Deva Vanithaam

Lokaika Deepankuraam

Sreeman Manda Kataaksha Labdha Vibhava

Brahmendra Gangaadharam

Tvaam Trailokya Kudumbineem

Sarasijam Vande Mukunda Priyaam

After completion of Avahanam chant 108 Shlokas-

“Sri Rasthu”

Shri Lakshmi Astothra

Sadha Naamavali

Aum Prakruthyai Namah

Aum Vikruthyai Namah

Aum Vidyaayai Namah

Aum Sarvabhoothahithapradayai Namah

Aum Shraddhayai Namah

Aum Vibhuthyai Namah

Aum Surabhyai Namah

Aum Paramatmikaayai Namah

Aum Vache Namah

Aum Padmalayaayai Namah

Aum Padmaayai Namah

Aum Shuchaye Namah

Aum Swahaayai Namah

Aum Swadhaayai Namah

Aum Sudhaayai Namah

Aum Dhanyaayai Namah

Aum Hiranmaiyai Namah

Aum Lakshmaiyai Namah

Aum Nityapushtayai Namah

Aum Vibhavaryai Namah

Aum Adhithyai Namah

Aum Dheethyai Namah

Aum Deepthaayai Namah

Aum Vasudhaayai Namah

Aum Vasudhaarinyai Namah

Aum Kamalaayai Namah

Aum Kaanthayai Namah

Aum Kaamakshyai Namah

Aum Kamala sambhavaayai Namah

Aum Anugrahapradhaayai Namah

Aum Buddhaiyai Namah

Aum Anaghaayai Namah

Aum Harivallabhaayai Namah

Aum Ashokaayai Namah

Aum Amruthaayai Namah

Aum Deepaayai Namah

Aum Lokashoka vinashinyai Namah

Aum Dharmanilayaayai Namah

Aum Karunaayai Namah

Aum Lokamatre Namah

Aum Padmapriyaayai Namah

Aum Padmahasthaayai Namah

Aum Padmakshyai Namah

Aum Padmasundariyai Namah

Aum Padmodbhavaayai Namah

Aum Padmamukhyai Namah

Aum Padmanabha priyaayai Namah

Aum Ramaayai Namah

Aum Padmamalaadharaayai Namah

Aum Deviyai Namah

Aum Padminiyai Namah

Aum Padmagandhinyai Namah

Aum Punyagandhaayai Namah

Aum Suprasannaayai Namah

Aum Prasadabhi mukhyai Namah

Aum Prabhaayai Namah

Aum Chandravadhanaayai Namah

Aum Chandraayai Namah

Aum Chandrasahodharyai Namah

Aum Chaturbhujaayai Namah

Aum Chandrarupaayai Namah

Aum Indiraayai Namah

Aum Indhu sheethalaayai Namah

Aum Ahlaadha jananvaya Namah

Aum Pushtyai Namah

Aum Shivaayai Namah

Aum Shivakariyai Namah

Aum Satyaayai Namah

Aum Vimalaayai Namah

Aum Vishwajananyai Namah

Aum Dhustyai Namah

Aum Dharidriya naashinyai Namah

Aum Preethi Pushkarinyai Namah

Aum Shanathayai Namah

Aum Shuklamaalyaambharaayai Namah

Aum Bhaskaryai Namah

Aum Bilva nilayaayai Namah

Aum Vararohaayai Namah

Aum Yashaswinyai Namah

Aum Vasundharaayai Namah

Aum Udhaarangaayai Namah

Aum Harinyai Namah

Aum Hemamalinyai Namah

Aum Dhana dhanyakaryai Namah

Aum Siddhayai Namah

Aum Sthraina Soumyaayai Namah

Aum Shubhapradaayai Namah

Aum Nrubavema gathanandhayai Namah

Aum Varalakshmaiyai Namah

Aum Vasupradhaayai Namah

Aum Shubhaayai Namah

Aum Hiranya praakaaraayai Namah

Aum Samudhra dhanaayayai Namah

Aum Jayaayai Namah

Aum Mangalaayai Namah

Aum Vishnuvakshah Sthalasdhithaayai Namah

Aum Vishnupathnyai Namah

Aum Prasannaakshyai Namah

Aum Narayana Samashrithayai Namah

Aum Dharidriya Dhwamsinyai Namah

Aum Devlakshmi Namah

Aum Sarva padhrava nivaarinyai Namah

Aum Navadurgaayai Namah

Aum Mahakaalyai Namah

Aum Brahma-Vishnu-Shivathmikaayai Namah

Aum Thrikaalagyanasampannaayai Namah

Aum Bhuvaneshwaryai Namah

Aum Mahalakshmi Astothra Sadha Namah

Proceed with Thoram Puja and read Varalakshmi story. Offer Thamboolam, flowers and married women adornments. After completing Aarti in the evening present Naivedyam (Food offerings to the goddess).

After Puja Ritual (Punar Puja- Removal of Kalasha)

Many people remove Kalasha on Friday night but it should be done on Saturday morning. Take bath early morning and perform puja for Kalasha. Consume little water and dismantle on auspicious time. Sprinkle some water around the house and pour leftover water in Tulsi plant. If you have filled Kalasha with rice then mix it with the rice you eat and place the coin in the locker. Remove Thoram after 3 days or on Saturday.

Date and Time of Varalakshmi Vrat

This Hindu festival is celebrated as Varalakshmi Vratam on second Friday or Friday before full moon day in the month of Shravana according to Hindu Calendar which falls in July or August. This year it is on 24th August 2018. Let’s look at the puja timings-