Varalakshmi Vratam Festival is one of the most important and sacred festivals celebrated in India, especially in the southern states. It is a festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, health, and prosperity. The word Varalakshmi means “the giver of boons and blessings,” and Vratam means “a holy vow or fast.” Married women observe this vratam with great devotion for the well-being of their husbands, children, and family members.
The festival usually falls on the second Friday of the Shravan month (July or August) before the full moon day. It is believed that by performing Varalakshmi Vratam with full faith, one can attain happiness, peace, and prosperity in life.
The Religious Significance of Varalakshmi Vratam Festival
The significance of Varalakshmi Vratam goes beyond rituals and customs. It carries a spiritual message and has been followed for centuries.
- Performing Varalakshmi Vratam is considered equal to worshipping the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi, known as Ashtalakshmi. These forms represent wealth, courage, wisdom, fertility, strength, victory, and prosperity.
- Women pray for the long life, success, and good health of their husbands and children.
- The vratam symbolizes gratitude towards Goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bless homes with peace and abundance.
- It also teaches the values of dedication, discipline, and togetherness in families.
Mythological Story of Varalakshmi Vratam Festival
The story behind Varalakshmi Vratam is both inspiring and filled with devotion.
According to Hindu mythology, once in the kingdom of Magadha, there lived a virtuous woman named Charumathi. She was devoted to her family and always prayed to Goddess Lakshmi. One night, the goddess appeared in her dream and advised her to perform the Varalakshmi Vratam to bring wealth, health, and happiness to her household.
Following the instructions, Charumathi observed the vratam with sincerity. Soon, her home was filled with prosperity, joy, and blessings. Since then, women across India have been performing Varalakshmi Vratam with faith and devotion, believing that Goddess Lakshmi herself blesses them with all good fortune.
Preparations for Varalakshmi Vratam Festival
The preparations for Varalakshmi Vratam begin a day before the actual festival. Women put in a lot of effort to make the day special.
Cleaning and Decoration
- Houses are cleaned and decorated beautifully.
- Traditional rangoli or kolam designs are drawn at the entrance to welcome the goddess.
- A special place is prepared for the pooja, usually in the puja room or living hall.
Important Items for Varalakshmi Vratam Pooja
- A kalasha (sacred pot) made of silver, brass, or copper.
- Fresh mango leaves to decorate the kalasha.
- A coconut smeared with turmeric and kumkum, placed on top of the kalasha.
- Flowers, fruits, betel leaves, betel nuts, rice, turmeric, and sandalwood paste.
- An idol or image of Goddess Lakshmi.
- Traditional sweets like laddus, payasam, and pongal as prasadam.
- Sacred yellow thread or saree-colored thread for tying during the pooja.
How Varalakshmi Vratam is Performed
Step 1: Kalasha Decoration
On the morning of the vratam, the kalasha is filled with water, rice, and coins, symbolizing abundance. Mango leaves are arranged around the mouth of the pot. A coconut decorated with turmeric and kumkum is placed on top. The kalasha is draped with a saree and adorned with jewelry to resemble the goddess.
Step 2: Invoking Goddess Lakshmi
Women light oil lamps and chant slokas to invite Goddess Lakshmi into their homes. The goddess is worshipped with flowers, kumkum, and turmeric. Devotees pray for peace, health, and happiness.
Step 3: Offerings and Sacred Thread
During the pooja, women tie the sacred thread around their right wrists while praying for the well-being of their families. Offerings of fruits, sweets, betel leaves, and flowers are made to the goddess.
Step 4: Distribution of Prasadam
Once the pooja is completed, prasadam is distributed to family, friends, and neighbors. Married women exchange turmeric, kumkum, bangles, and betel leaves as symbols of goodwill and blessings.
Spiritual Meaning of Varalakshmi Vratam Festival
Varalakshmi Vratam is not only about rituals; it also carries a deep spiritual significance.
- It teaches the importance of faith, devotion, and self-discipline.
- It reminds families that wealth is not only about money but also about good health, happiness, and unity.
- The vratam spreads the message that true prosperity lies in kindness, sharing, and living a righteous life.
Varalakshmi Vratam Festival Celebrations Across India
Varalakshmi Vratam is celebrated with enthusiasm in different states of India.
- In Tamil Nadu, women decorate the kalasha beautifully with silk cloth, flowers, and jewelry.
- In Karnataka, the vratam is performed with grand poojas and community gatherings.
- In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, women invite each other for Haldi-Kumkum and exchange gifts.
- In Maharashtra and Odisha, the rituals are simpler but equally filled with devotion.
Despite regional differences, the essence of Varalakshmi Vratam remains the same — seeking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for a prosperous and happy life.
Conclusion
Varalakshmi Vratam is a sacred festival that celebrates faith, family love, and prosperity. It is a day when women wholeheartedly pray for the well-being of their families while thanking Goddess Lakshmi for her blessings.
By observing Varalakshmi Vratam with devotion, families invite not only material wealth but also peace, health, and happiness into their homes. The festival is a reminder that true prosperity comes from a heart filled with devotion, a home filled with unity, and a life guided by gratitude.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Varalakshmi Vratam Festival
1. What is Varalakshmi VratamFestival ?
Varalakshmi Vratam Festival is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly by married women to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, health, and prosperity. It is usually observed on a Friday in the Shravan month before the full moon day.
2. Why is Varalakshmi Vratam Festival important?
Varalakshmi Vratam Festival is important because it is believed to bring prosperity, health, and happiness to families. Performing this vratam is considered equal to worshipping the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi, known as Ashtalakshmi.
3. Who should observe Varalakshmi Vratam?
Traditionally, married women perform Varalakshmi Vratam for the well-being of their husbands, children, and families. However, anyone with devotion to Goddess Lakshmi can observe the vratam.
4. What are the main items needed for Varalakshmi Vratam pooja?
The essential items for the Varalakshmi Vratam include a kalasha (sacred pot), mango leaves, coconut, flowers, fruits, kumkum, turmeric, sandalwood paste, an idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi, sweets for prasadam, and a sacred thread.
5. How is the Varalakshmi Vratam Festival performed?
The Varalakshmi Vratam is performed by decorating a kalasha to represent Goddess Lakshmi, chanting prayers, offering flowers, fruits, and sweets, and tying a sacred thread. After the pooja, prasadam is shared with family and neighbors.
6. What is the story behind Varalakshmi Vratam?
The story of Varalakshmi Vratam tells about a pious woman named Charumathi. She was instructed by Goddess Lakshmi in a dream to perform this vratam. When she did so with devotion, her family was blessed with wealth, health, and happiness.
7. Is fasting compulsory during Varalakshmi Vratam Festival?
Fasting is not compulsory for Varalakshmi Vratam. Some women observe a partial fast by eating fruits and milk, while others perform the rituals without fasting. The main focus is on devotion and sincerity.
8. In which states is Varalakshmi Vratam Festival celebrated?
Varalakshmi Vratam is mainly celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and parts of Maharashtra and Odisha. Each region has its own style of performing the vratam, but the devotion remains the same.
9. What food is prepared for Varalakshmi Vratam Festival?
Traditional dishes such as payasam, pongal, laddus, vadas, and other sweets are prepared as offerings. These are later shared as prasadam after the Varalakshmi Vratam pooja.
10. What is the spiritual meaning of Varalakshmi Vratam Festival ?
The spiritual meaning of Varalakshmi Vratam is that true wealth is not just money, but also good health, strong family bonds, peace, and happiness. The vratam teaches the values of gratitude, devotion, and unity in family life.
