Varalakshmi Vrata Significance and History

Mahalakshmi or Varalakshmi Vrata is celebrated on the last Friday of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashada. She is also known as the goddess of wealth and is worshiped all across India.

The worship of Mahalakshmi is performed by married ladies to attain good progeny, and for the longevity of their beloved husband between the months of September and October.

How is Mahalakshmi or Varalakshmi Vrata Celebrated?

As indicated by lunar calendar of North India, the Varalakshmi Vrata is celebrated for 16 days straight between Bhadrapad Shukla Ashtami and Ashwin Krishna Ashtami.

The Ashtalakshmi or Varalaksmi Vrata begins with the 8th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra (September Month). It ends with the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin (October Month).

This is can be compared to September – October of the Gregorian calendar.

This fast is increasingly famous in Uttar Pradesh Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and different southern states of India.

In Southern parts of India, this vrat is also known as Varalakshmi Vrata Pooja.

It is an important pooja performed by married women in states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.

Associations

We all know that Lakshmi is also the goddess of wealth and provides us fame. Let’s look at certain associations that are quite interesting.

Vara –> Boon –> Fulfillment of wishes

This means that the goddess fulfills our wishes in the Varalakshmi form.

The word lakshya (लक्ष्य) meaning aim is derived from Lakshmi. It signifies our purpose to attain both material prosperity and spirituality. If we please the goddess, she bestows upon us her blessings.

History and Origin

As history goes, Varalakshmi was manifested from the milky sea or the Kshir Sagar.

In Bhavishya Purana, one of the 18 noteworthy Puranas or ancient Hindu sacred texts, there is a legend that clarifies the noteworthiness of Varalakshmi Vrata.

Varalakshmi is regularly portrayed as somebody with the appearance of the milky ocean.

As the legend goes, Yudhishtira, the oldest of the Pandava rulers, inquires Lord Krishna about a custom fast that can get back the riches that they lost in his bets with the Kauravas.

Krishna suggests Varalakshmi Vrata or Puja, which can replenish the devotee with well-being, riches, prosperity, family, and empire through the perfect elegance of the Lakshmi.

While essentially ladies watch quick on this day, a few men likewise take an interest.

While the pooja for Varalakshmi is like that of Mahalakshmi pooja, there are likewise Dorak and Vayana.

A blessed string that is tied during Varalakshmi Vrata is called Doraka and desserts offered to Varalakshmi are known as Vayana.

Mahalakshmi: Deity of Wealth and Prosperity

Varalakshmi or Mahalakshmi is the goddess of riches. One of her numerous names is, Chanchala, the eager and peculiar one, who doesn’t care to remain in one spot.

She wants to move around thus individuals are asked not to keep pictures about her in the house where she is demonstrated standing.

She may feel unwelcome and she may leave. So in conventional pictures, she is constantly indicated situated easily on a lotus.

The general purpose of this fairly visual portrayal is to advise individuals that riches want to move.

The estimation of riches develops just when it trades hands. Lakshmi’s image is her impression and it is continuously drawn directing into the house.

The thought is to adjust the keen and adaptable nature of the goddess with our desire to see fortune favor us.

How is the Varalakshmi Vrata Performed?

The night before the day of the Puja, the territory for its presentation is cleaned and enriched.

A bronze or silver kalasam (extraordinary pot) is loaded up with rice or water and coins, an entire lime, five sorts of leaves and betel leaves and betel nut.

The kalasam is spread with sandalwood paste and secured with another fabric up to the neck.

A coconut applied with turmeric paste is put on top with mango leaves around.

Place Goddess Lakshmi’s photo on it. Put kalasam in front of the deity and arrange all the puja samigris.

The following morning, before Rahu kalam, the kalasam is put on a bed of rice. This means Lakshmi has gone into the house.

After the establishment, a puja starting with a summon to Lord Vinayaka starts.

During the puja, the Lakshmi Sahasranamam and different slokas committed to Varalakshmi are recited.

Various kinds of desserts are offered to the Goddess. The ladies and young ladies of the house tie yellow shaded saradu or string around their wrists.

Varalakshmi Pooja Entire Procedure

Recite the mantras of Shri Ganesha before staring the Mahalakshmi Poojan for Varalakshmi Vrata.

|| Suklambaradharam vishnum sasivarnam chaturbhujam

Prasanna vadanam dhyayetsarva vighnopasantaye ||

|| Om Keshavaya swaahaa || (take little water into your hand and drink)

|| Om Narayanaya swaahaa || (take little water into your hand and drink)

|| Om Madhavaya swaahaa || (take little water into your hand and drink)

|| Om Govindaya namaha ||   (wipe your hands)

|| Om Vishnave namaha ||   (wipe your eyes)

Fold your hands and recite these mantras.

Om Madhusudanaya namaha, Om Trivikramaya namaha

Om Vamanaya namaha, Om Sridharaya namaha

Om Hrushikeshaya namaha, Om Padmanabhaya namaha

Om Samkarshanaya namaha, Om Vasudevaya namaha,

Om Pradyumnaya namaha, Om Aniruddhaya namaha,

Om Purushottamaya namaha, Om Adhokshajaya namaha,

Om Naarasimhaya namaha, Om Achyutaya namaha,

Om Janardhanaya namaha, Om Upendraya namaha,

Om Haaraye namaha, Om Srikrishnaya namaha

|| Uttishtantu bhoota pishachaah yete bhoomi bharakah,

Yetesha mavirodhena brahmakarma samaarabhe ||

Kalasam Pooja

Take a glass or pranitapatra specially kept only for puja and pour water in it. Put in some akshat, flowers, and a betel leaf in it.

Apply sandal paste and kumkum on three sides of it. Put your right hand on it and read the following mantra.

kalashasya mukhe vishnu kanthe rudrassamaashritaha

mooletatrasthitho brahm madhye maathru ganaa sthitah

kukshowtu saagaraa ssarve sapta dweepaa vasundhara

rugvedo adha yajurvedo ssaamavedohyadharvanah

angaischa sahitaa ssarve kalasambu samaasritaah

aayamthu lakshmi poojartham duritakshaya karakaah

gamgecha, yamunaichaiva, godavari, saraswathi,

narmadaa, sindhu, kaveri jalesmin sannimdhikuru evam kalasha poojaam kuryaath

After reciting this mantra, dip a flower in the holy water and sprinkle it on the Goddess, puja samigri, and on yourself.

Feel as if you purified everything around you and got ready for the puja.

Now make a Ganapati with Haldi, place it on a betel leaf in the mandapam.

Worship him with flowers and place some akshatalu on your head. Now begins the procedure of Varalakshmi Vratam.

Varalakshmi Vratam (Dhyana Sthuti)

padmasane padmakarey sarvalokaika poojithe

narayana priaye devi, supreetaa bhavasarvadaa

shodhashopachara pooja prarambhaha.

Dhyanam

Ksheerodarnava sambhutey kamale kamalalaye susthiraa

bhavame gehe surasura namaskruthe

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah dhyayami

(Offer some flowers before the kalasam)

Aavahana

sarva mangala maangalye vishnu vakshasthalaalaye,

aavaahayaami devitvaam, supreetaa bhava sarvadaa

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah aavaahayaami

(Offer some akshat in front of the kalasam)

Ratna Simhasana

sooryaayutha nibhasphurthe sphuradratna vibhushite

simhasanamidam devi stheeyatam surapujite

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah

navaratna khachita simhasanam samarpayami

(This mantra is recited as you here imagine that the diamond-studded throne is being offered to her to sit and accept your puja)

Arghya

Suddhodakam cha paatrastham gamdha pushpaadhi mishritam,

arghyam daasyaamite devi gruahaana surapoojite

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah arghyam samarpayaami.

(Offer water to the goddess)

Paadyam

Suvaasita jalam ramyam sarvateertha samudbhavam

paadhyam gruhaana devitvam sarwa deva namaskruthe

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah paadhyam samarpayaami.

(Cleansing the charan of the goddess with water)

Panchamruta Snana

payodadhi ghruto petam sarkara madhu samyuktam

panchamruta snanamidam gruhana kamalalaye

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah

panchamruta snanam samarpayami

(Few drops of holy water should be sprinkled on the kalasam as a mark of bathing the goddess)

Suddhodaka Snana

gangajalam mayaneetam mahadeva sirasthitam

suddhodaka snanamidam gruhana vidhu sodari

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah suddhodaka snanam samarpayami

Here also few drops of holy water should be sprinkled on the kalasam.

snaanantaram aachamaneeyam samarpayami

(put a spoon full of water in the arghyapatra)

Vastra

Suraarchitaamghri yugale dukoola vasanapriye

vastra yugmam pradaasyami gruahaana harivallabhe

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah

vastra yugmam samarpayaami

(a new sari specially kept for the goddess is offered to her)

Aabharana

Keyoora kamkana dhivye haranupura mekhala

vibhooshanaanya moolyaani gruahana rushipoojithe

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah

abharanaani samarpayaami.

(Offer gold ornaments to the goddess)

Upaveetam

Taptahemakhrutham sootram mukthaadaamavibhooshitam

upaveetamidam devi gruhanatvam shubhaprade

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah upveetam samarpayaami.

(a thread should be made with cotton, apply sandalwood paste to its ends and attach it to the kalasam).

Gandha

Karpooraagarukasturee gorochanaadi bhiranwitam

gamdham daasyaamyaham devi preetyartham pratiguhyatam

Srivaralakshmi devataayai namah gamdham samarpayam

(Apply the sandalwood paste on the kalasam)

Akshata

akshataan dhavalaan divyaan shaaliyaan stamdulaan subhan

hariadraakumkumopetaan gruhyataam abdhiputrike

Sri varaoakshmi devatayai namah akshtaan samarpayaami.

(Offer some akshata at her feet)

Pushpa

Mallikaaj aaji kusumai schampakairvasulai sthadhaa

neelotpalaischa kalhaarai poojayaami Hariapriye

Sri Varalakshmi devatayai namah pushpaih poojayami.

(Offer some flowers before the goddess)

Asthaanga Pooja

Om Chanchalaayai namah – paadou poojayaami.

Om Chapalaayai namah – jaanunee poojayaami.

Om Peetaambharadharaayai namah naabhim poojayaami

Om Kamalavaasinyai namah katim poojayaami

Om Padmaalayaayainamah naabhim poojayaami

Om Madanamaatre namah sthanow poojayaami

Om Kambukamtyai namah kamtham poojayaami

Om Sumukhaayai namah mukhampoojayaami

Om sunetraayai namah netrou poojayaami

Om Ramayai namah karnou poojayaami

Om Kamalaayainamah – sirah poojayaami

Om Sri Varalakshmyai namah sarvanyamgani pujayami.

Deepam

Ghrutaakthavarti samyukta mamdhakaaravinaasakam

Deepam daasyaami devesi gruhana mudithaabhava

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namahdeepam samarpayaami!

(Offer the deepam with your right hand)

Naivedya

Naiveedyam shadrasopetam daddhimadhvaajya samyutam,

naanaabhakshya phalopetam gruahana hariavallabhe,

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah naivedyam samarpayaami!

(Offer all the specially prepared naivedya to the goddess Varalakshmi)

Paaneeyam

Ghanasaara sugandehna mishritam pushpavaasitam

paaneeyam gruahataam devi seetalam sumanoharam

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah paaneeyam samarpayaami!

(Leave some drops of water with the beetle leaf)

Thambulam

Poogee phala samaayuktam naagavallee dalairyutam

karpura choorna samyuktham taambulam, pratigruhyataam

Sri varalakshmi devatayai namah taambulam samarpayaami

(place two bananas and betel nuts on two betel leaves before the goddess)

Thorabandhana Mantram

Read the following mantra and Tie the sacred band (thoram) to your right hand.

bathnaamidakshineehaste navasootram shubhapradam

putrapowtraabhi vruddhimcha mamasowkhyam dehime rame

Vayana Vidhi

Evam sampujya kalyanim varalakshmim swasaktitah

Datavyam dwadasa pooram vayanamhi dwijayate!

(mantras to chant while giving the vayanam)

indira prati gruhnaatu indira vaidadaaticha

indiraa taarakobhabhyam indiraayai namo namah

iti pooja vidhanam sampoornam

Varalakshmi Vrata Katha

Varalakshmi Vrata is observed on the Second Friday of the Shravan month. Charumathi, a Brahmin woman lived in a town, Kundina.

She was very modest and kind in nature. She was very much devoted to her husband and family.

One night, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in her dream and told her to worship Varalakshmi and seek her blessings via the Varalakshmi Vrata.

Goddess Lakshmi also clarified the Varalakshmi Vrata procedure and the best day to observe the Vrata.

Lakshmi asked Charumathi to observe Varalakshmi Pooja on the 2nd Friday of Shravana month.

Charumathi informed about the dream to his husband and family. She also told to her friends and the word spread throughout the town.

On the Second Friday of Shravan Month, Charumathi along with her family, friends and the women of the town observed the Vrata.

They worshiped Devi varalakshmi with utmost devotion and offered special recipes and fruits to please her.

Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared before them and granted boons to all of them.

Their houses were filled with grains, diamonds, jewels, and gold.

They all lived happily in their rest of life. Since the time, women have begun observing Varalakshmi Vrata every year on the specific Friday.

How to keep Varalakshmi Vrata or Vrat or Fast?

1. One can keep a  निराहार व्रत  i.e not having anything, only taking water.
2. If it is too difficult, then one can consume milk and fruits
3. Perform the Puja at home.
4. Visit Lakshmi temple in the evening and recite aarti.
5. After distributing Naivedya, You can take the naivedya and break the fast.

10 Famous Varalakshmi Temples in India

In this comprehensive guide, we have provided the exclusive list of 10 Lakshmi Temples in India that would help you gain more insights and deeper wisdom from Goddess Lakshmi on your spiritual tour.

Sr. No.	Temple Name	Location in India
1	Mahalakshmi Temple	Kolhapur, Maharashtra
2	Sripuram Golden Temple	Vellore, Tamil Nadu
3	Birla Mandir	Delhi
4	Mahalakshmi Temple	Mumbai
5	Lakshmi Devi Temple	Hassan, Karnataka
6	Ashtalakshmi Temple	Chennai
7	Kaila Devi Temple	Karauli, Rajasthan
8	Ashtalakshmi Temple	Hyderabad
9	Mahalakshmi Temple	Tumkur, Karnataka
10	Chaurashi Temple	Bhramour, Himachal Pradesh

Conclusion

Lakshmi holds a vital role in our lives, one cannot do anything without money. Hence the Varalakshmi Vrata is observed for the goddess to be pleased with us and fulfills our wishes.

She is surely the lifeblood of society. I hope you would have liked the above information about the Varalakshmi Vrata. What do you think about Lakshmi, let us know in the comments below!

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