Varalakshmi Vrata is a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (Varam). It is an important pooja performed by many women in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Hindu festival going by the name 'Vara Lakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before full moon day - Poornima in the month of Śravaṇā, also called Śawan in Hindi and Aadi in Tamil which corresponds to the Gregorian months of July–August.
Varalakshmi Vrata is performed by married woman for the well being of all the family members, especially husband, to get progeny etc. It is believed that worshiping Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshiping Ashtalaksmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Learning, Love, Fame, Peace, Pleasure, and Strength. Because of the popularity in some states of India, it is declared as an optional official holiday in India. The 2016 date is August 12
In the kingdom of Magadha of yore, there lived a Brahmin woman called Charumathi in a town named Kundina. The prosperous town was the home of Charumathi and her husband. Impressed by her devotion to her family, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to worship Vara-Lakshmi (Vara = boon, Lakshmi = goddess of wealth) and seek to fulfill her wishes. Varalakshmi is yet another form of Lord Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The prayer/worship was prescribed to be offered on the Friday of Sravana month preceding the night of full moon.
When Charumathi explained her dream to her family, she found them encouraging her to perform the pooja. Many other women of the village joined her in performing the pooja in a traditional way and offered many sweet dishes to the Goddess Varalakshmi. They prayed with deep devotion:
Varalakshmi literally means the boon granting Goddess and 'Vratham' means a strict observance of certain rituals and practice. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi – the eight Goddesses of Wealth(shri), Earth(bhu), Learning(saraswati), Love(priti), Fame(kirti), Peace(shanti), Pleasure(tushti) and Strength(pushti).
The Hindu festival going by the name 'Varalakshmi Vratam/Nonbu' is celebrated on the friday before the full moon in the month of Aadi(Tamil)/ Sravana(Telugu) / Sawan(in Hindi), which corresponds to the English months of July–August.
On this occasion women worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion offering sweets and flowers, usually a kalash(representing the deity) will be decorated with a saree, flowers and gold jewelry with offerings placed in front.
This pooja can be done with no restriction to caste or creed. To this day many women observe this traditional festival praying Varamahalakshmi for her blessings in the form of wealth and well being of their family.
On one occasion, Parvati and Parameswara were playing a game of paramapatham. Parvati was winning game after game by the rules, but Parameswara is said to have claimed the victory at each game, wantonly, to Parvati's intense chagrin. So Parvati demanded to have an umpire and one Chitranemi, a creation of Parameswara, was chosen. As an underling of Parameswara, he sided with his master most unjustly. This provoked Parvati's anger and she cursed Chitranemi that he should become a leper for discharging his duty in this most unfair manner.
When Chitranemi begged Parvati's forgiveness and Parameswara added his entreaties to it, she is said to have relented and modified the curse by adding that he would be cured of his leprosy by observing the Vara Lakshmi Vrata. By doing this, Chitranemi was, it is said, rid of the loathsome disease.
The history of the origin Of the Vara Lakshmi Vrata is rather interesting. Lakshmi is said to have visited a pious woman by name Charumathi, living in the city of Kuntinapura in Magadha (Bihar), in one of her dreams and expressed her satisfaction at her devotion to her children. When she woke up from her sleep, she took a bath and worshiped Lakshmi to ensure her blessings. When the other ladies heard of her dream and her worship of Lakshmi, they too began to worship her, and the custom is then said to have spread everywhere throughout the land in course of time..
Eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Siri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvathi (learning), Prithi (Love), Keerthi (Fame), Shanthi (Peace), Santhushti(Pleasure) and Pushti(Strength). Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus. Vishnu is also called Ashta Lakshmi Pathi which is equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight-Lakshmis or forces. In fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe, radiates these forces from him. These forces are personified and worshiped as Lakshmis, since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary people. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to be to obtain these three. This festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husbands and their children.
As the legend goes, this is a pooja that was pronounced by no other than Lord Parameswara to be performed by his consort Parvathi to seek prosperity and happiness for the family. Thus it came to be emulated by married women who sought boons (varam) for the health, wealth and knowledge for the entire family. In some cases, women prayed for being blessed with children. The prescribed day for the pooja is the Friday of the month of Sravan in the fortnight known as Sukla paksha, preceding the full moon day.
Varalakshmi Vratam/Pooja is a popular ritual observed by married women in South India and Maharashtra. It is performed by married woman for the well being of all the family members, especially husband, to get progency etc. This was my firstVaralakshmi Amman
Start the pooja early and finish it before Raagu Kalam (in-auspicious time) or start the Pooja after Raagu Kalam. Avoid performing the pooja during Raagu Kalam. Fasting begins on friday morning(Sunrise) and ends when the Pooja is completed.
If in case if your having periods on that day you are not advised to do the pooja. Instead, you can do the pooja on the coming week (friday). If you have missed or failed to observe the varalakshmi pooja on that day, you can do it during the following friday or observe it during a friday during Navarathri festival.
There are no hard and fast rules in performing the Varalakshmi Pooja and you can be flexible on the pooja items. Even a simple prayer will please Goddess Lakshmi.
If in case if your having periods on that day you are not advised to do the pooja. Instead, you can do the pooja on the coming week (friday). If you have missed or failed to observe the varalakshmi pooja on that day, you can do it during the following friday or observe it during a friday during Navarathri festival.
There are no hard and fast rules in performing the Varalakshmi Pooja and you can be flexible on the pooja items. Even a simple prayer will please Goddess Lakshmi.
# Clean the kalasham through and make it dry. Decorate it with sandalpowder and Kumkum dots.
# The kalasham is filled with raw rice or water, coins, a single whole lime, five different kinds of leaves, and beetle nut.
# The kalasham up to the neck is sometimes covered with a cloth and mango leaves are placed on the mouth of the kalasham. Ensure that the end tip of the mango leaves point in the upward direction.
# Finally, a coconut(unbroken) smeared with turmeric, decorated with kumkum and sandal wood paste is used to close the mouth of the kalasham along with mango leaves. The eyes of the coconut / Kudumi should be upward.
# To this coconut, an image of goddess Lakshmi is fixed or the image of Lakshmi is drawn using turmeric powder. You can also tie un-stiched cloth around the pot (optional).
# The coconut and kalasham form the body and we further decorate it by tying special clothes (pavadai) and jewels to the deity. Decorate the pot with garland or flowers.Now the kalasham symbolically represents Goddess Lakshmi.
# The kalasham is filled with raw rice or water, coins, a single whole lime, five different kinds of leaves, and beetle nut.
# The kalasham up to the neck is sometimes covered with a cloth and mango leaves are placed on the mouth of the kalasham. Ensure that the end tip of the mango leaves point in the upward direction.
# Finally, a coconut(unbroken) smeared with turmeric, decorated with kumkum and sandal wood paste is used to close the mouth of the kalasham along with mango leaves. The eyes of the coconut / Kudumi should be upward.
# To this coconut, an image of goddess Lakshmi is fixed or the image of Lakshmi is drawn using turmeric powder. You can also tie un-stiched cloth around the pot (optional).
# The coconut and kalasham form the body and we further decorate it by tying special clothes (pavadai) and jewels to the deity. Decorate the pot with garland or flowers.Now the kalasham symbolically represents Goddess Lakshmi.
Now keep this decorated Kalasham over the rice on the plate. Put a small garland & light a lamp near Amman.
Things to remember :-
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# Do not impose the Pooja. You should observe it only, if you are really interested. Also do not impose the pooja on youngsters.
# Don’t worry if you miss a small step while doing pooja, like agarbatthis not lit. What matters is your interest, love, dedication and concentration.
# If you are observing for the first time, learn it from an experienced woman.
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# Do not impose the Pooja. You should observe it only, if you are really interested. Also do not impose the pooja on youngsters.
# Don’t worry if you miss a small step while doing pooja, like agarbatthis not lit. What matters is your interest, love, dedication and concentration.
# If you are observing for the first time, learn it from an experienced woman.
# Unmarried women observe the pooja, if their mother is observing it.
# Pregnant women can skip the pooja. If you are so inclined you can do it but make sure fasting does not cause any harm. You can do the pooja and skip fasting. If thepooja falls within 22 days of the birth of child, it is considered inappropriate and should not be observed.
# Pregnant women can skip the pooja. If you are so inclined you can do it but make sure fasting does not cause any harm. You can do the pooja and skip fasting. If thepooja falls within 22 days of the birth of child, it is considered inappropriate and should not be observed.
# It is important to honor the priest who conducts the pooja. After the pooja, offer him thamboolam, prasadam & dakshanam. If you are doing the pooja on your own, set it aside to be given to any elderly person later.
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