Varalakshmi Vratam - August 20, 2021

Varalakshmi Vratham - Puja for The Goddess Lakshmi

Introduction¹

Varalakshmi Vratam, also known as Vara Mahalakshmi Vratha, is a festival to celebrate and worship Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of “wealth, fortune, power, beauty and prosperity”¹. A puja is performed during this festival and usually occurs in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is also celebrated in the northern parts of Sri Lanka.

Varalakshmi Vratam is performed by Hindu women for the prosperity of both themselves and their loved ones (family members).

Legend has it that this puja is performed by Goddess Parvathi for success and happiness, which is why only women perform this puja.

The Ceremony¹

On the day of the Varalakshmi Vratam, women pray to Goddess Lakshmi by offering many items to Her, such as flowers, fruits, and sweets. They also decorate her idol with flowers, a saree, and gold jewelry.

A sacred thread called a Rakshai is placed around the wrists of women who perform the puja - it symbolizes protection of the women and her family from any bad forces.

Varalakshmi Vratam Puja Samagri

The face of the Goddess
A Kalash
Colourful fresh pieces of cloth for making the Goddess' saree
Jewellery and false hair and accessories for the Goddess
A mirror meant for keeping behind the deity
3 Coconut with its husk
Flowers
Sharadu, also spelt as Charadu (sacred yellow threads) for tying around the wrist
A Chaupayi (a square wooden raised platform)
Flowers
Garland made of fresh flowers
Paan
Supari
Fruits
Banana
Haldi
Chandan
Kumkum
White rangoli powder
Akshat
Raw rice
Oil lamp
Incense sticks
Camphor
A metal plate or tray

Puja Procedure of Varalakshmi Vratham Puja Vidhi

Set up a puja altar and place a sacred pot also called as Kalasam inside the altar. This is decorated with flowers, turmeric powder, sandal paste and vermilion, and cloth.

Place photos of Varalakshmi Devi.

On the surface of the altar, spread some raw rice on a banana leaf and place the decorated Kalasam on the bed of rice.

Tie some yellow thread into 9 knots and place in front of the altar.

Offer your blessings to Varalakshmi Devi during your puja. Once the puja is complete, tie the yellow thread to the people who participated in the puja.

Dishes to Prepare for Puja Offering

Boiled legumes
Jaggery sweets
Rice flour porridge
Fruits

These offerings can be placed on a banana leaf and positioned in front of the altar and then distributed to the invitees, children and ladies.

The Eight Forces¹

There are eight energies that are acknowledged during the puja. According to Wikipedia they are, “Siri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvathi (Wisdom), Preethi (Love), Keerthi (Fame), Shanthi (Peace), Santhushti (Contentment) and Pushti (Strength).”¹ Each one of these energies is another form of Lakshmi. Wikipedia states that the Lakshmis are as follows:

Aadi Lakshmi is the protector
Dhana Lakshmi is the Goddess of Wealth
Dhairya Lakshmi is the Goddess of Courage
Sowbhagya Lakshmi is the Goddess of Prosperity
Vijaya Lakshmi is the Goddess of Victory
Dhanya Lakshmi is the Goddess of Nourishment
Santaana Lakshmi is the Goddess of Progeny
Vidhya Lakshmi is the Goddess of Wisdom

All these Lakshmis together form the single Lakshmi called Ashta Lakshmi. It is believed that worshipping the Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi.

Conclusion¹

Varalakshmi Vratham is a puja done mostly by Tamil women in both India and Sri Lanka, and other Hindu and Tamil women around the world. This festival is to worship Ashta Lakshmi, who represents eight energies: wealth, earth, wisdom, love, fame, peace, contentment, and strength.

From all of us at India Sajawat & Puja Hut, we would like to wish everyone in the South Asian community a very happy Varalakshmi Vratham.

References