Varalaksmi Vratham is a popular pooja in South India, particularly in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. Note that there are many knowledgeable UP Hindi North Indian Pandit in Bangalore. They can help you perform the Vara Maha Lakshmi Puja the right way.
People perform this pooja, also popular as Vara Maha Lakshmi Vrata, with great devotion by women in these regions. This article seeks to shed light on the Varalaksmi pooja and provide answers to some common questions about this well-known puja.
The Importance of Varalakshmi Vratham Pooja
The Varalakshmi Vratham is a Hindu ritual of worshiping the goddess Lakshmi, who is a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. During this ceremony, married women, also known as Sumangalis, offer prayers for the well-being of their family, particularly for the longevity of their husbands.
Goddess Lakshmi is embodying eight different forces, including wealth (Sri), earth (Bhu), learning (Sarasvati), love (Priti), fame (Kirti), peace (Santi), pleasure (Tushti), and strength (Pushti). Note that these forces are collectively Ashta Lakshmulu. Worshiping the goddess Varalakshmi on this occasion is equivalent to offering prayers to Ashtalakshmi.
People perform the Varalakshmi Vratham on the Friday following the full moon day (Purnima) in the month of Shravanam, which typically occurs in August or September.
The Backstory
The story behind Varalakshmi Vratham dates back to the kingdom of Magadha, where a brahmin woman named Charumathi lived. Charumathi was famous for her devout service to her family, including her husband. Goddess Lakshmi became so impressed with Charumathi’s devotion that she appeared to her in a dream and instructed her to perform a worship ritual for Varalakshmi.
Charumathi shared the dream and the details of the ritual with other women in her community, which resulted in many of them joining her in performing the pooja. Since then, Varalakshmi Vratham has become a traditional practice for married women, who perform the ritual for the prosperity and well-being of their families and the longevity of their husband’s life.
Proper Way to Perform Varalakshmi Pooja
The ideal time to perform the Varalakshmi Pooja is before 10:30 AM. It is not good to conduct the pooja during the Rahu Kalam, which is from 10:30 AM to noon.
The best options for performing the pooja are in the morning before 10:30 AM or in the afternoon. The fasting period for the Varalakshmi Pooja starts on Friday at sunrise and concludes when the pooja ceremony is compleate.
Items You Need for Varalakshmi Pooja
Varalakshmi Pooja is a traditional Hindu festival that people celeberate in the month of Shravana. It is a day that people dedicate to Goddess Varalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and abundance. To perform this pooja, you need certain items. These include:
– Prasadam: Prasadam is an offering of food to the goddess. It typically includes fruits, milk, sweets, and other items.
– Flowers and Incense: Flowers and incense to decorate the pooja area and show respect to the goddess.
– Akshata: Akshata is uncooked rice grains that are offered to the goddess.
– Kumkum: Kumkum is a red powder for applying to the forehead of the goddess as a symbol of offering.
– Coconut: Coconuts to offer to the goddess as a symbol of sacrifice.
– Lamp: A lamp to place it near the pooja area as a sign of hope and prosperity.
These items are necessary for the Varalakshmi Pooja and by having them ready beforehand, you can ensure that your pooja goes
Decorate Lakshmi for Varalakshmi Pooja
To prepare the Kalasha for the Varalakshmi Pooja, make sure the pot is dry before starting. Apply a layer of gypsum to the bottom of the pot and decorate it with turmeric and kumkuma dots. Fill the pot with raw rice, dried fruits, and coins.
Next, adorn the neck of the pot with tender mango leaves, ensuring the tips of the leaves are pointing upwards. Decorate a coconut with kumkum, turmeric, and sandalwood paste and place it on top of the mango leaves, with the eyes of the coconut facing upwards. Cover the pot with a new un-stitched cloth, then further decorate it with a garland and flowers.
When dressing the goddess Lakshmi, draping any saree is acceptable. However, as Lakshmi symbolizes a married woman, it is traditional to dress her in a red or green saree, along with a mangal sutra, bangles, and kumkum. These items complete the look of a perfect married woman.
Conclusion
Here are some tips for performing the Vara Maha Lakshmi Puja:
Clean and decorate the puja room, and place the idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.
Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets to the deities.
Light lamps, incense sticks and perform aarti.
Recite prayers, mantras, and Shlokas dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
Offer food, clothes, and jewelry to the deity as naivedya.
Chant the “Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed” mantra.
Perform the Havan, using materials such as ghee, sandalwood, and herbs.
End the puja with a prayer asking for blessings and distribution of Prasad to all present.
Follow the traditions and customs of your family or community.
Note: We suggest you seek guidance from a Knowledgeable Kumaoni Garhwali North Indian Pandit in Bangalore for the proper execution of the puja rituals.