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.
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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-
| Muhuratam | Time | Duration |
| Simha Lagna Pooja Muhuratam | 06:09 AM to 7:51 AM (Morning) | 1 hour 41 mins |
| Vrishchika Lagna Muhuratam | 12:36 PM to 02:32 PM (Afternoon) | 2 hours 16 mins |
| Kumbha Lagna Muhuratam | 6:24 PM to 7:57 PM (Evening) | 1 hour 32 mins |
| Vrishabha Lagna Muhuratam | 11:07 PM to 01:05 (Midnight) | 1 hour 58 mins |