Varamahalakshmi Puja is a sacred festival celebrated with great devotion across India, particularly in South India. This puja is observed on the second Friday or the Friday closest to the full moon in the Shravana month.
Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity, and peace, this vrat (vow) is believed to bestow Ashtaishwarya (eight forms of wealth) upon devotees. The festival holds immense spiritual significance, and its rituals are performed with reverence to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
According to a popular legend, a poor woman named Charumati, who was facing severe hardships, was visited by Goddess Lakshmi in a dream. The goddess instructed her to observe the Varamahalakshmi Vrat on a Friday during Shravana.
Charumati performed the puja with devotion as per the scriptures, and her troubles were alleviated, granting her wealth and prosperity. Inspired by this story, the vrat gained prominence through Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, becoming a widely celebrated tradition.
Who Observes the Puja?
The Varamahalakshmi Puja is primarily performed by married women. However, in some cases, unmarried women and pregnant women (with less than seven months of pregnancy) may also participate, provided they consider their health and well-being.
Preparations for the Puja:
The preparations for Varamahalakshmi Puja begin early in the morning. The house, puja room, and Tulsi plant are thoroughly cleaned to maintain purity, as Goddess Lakshmi is believed to favor cleanliness.
Devotees take a bath, wear fresh clothes, and gather essential puja items, including a kalasha, Lakshmi idol, flowers, turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste, lamps, a thread with five or nine leaves, fruits, and sweets. The puja area is decorated with banana stems, mango leaves, and rangoli to create a sacred ambiance.
Puja Rituals:
The puja begins with setting up the kalasha, filled with rice, sesame seeds, or water, and adorned with a saree, jewelry, and flowers. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is decorated similarly. The puja is ideally performed during Simha Lagna (e.g., 5:54 AM to 8:13 AM) or during Pradosha time in the evening.
Devotees chant the mantra, “Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dheemahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayaat,” to invoke the goddess. She is worshipped in her forms as Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. Offerings such as roti, payasa, karjikai, holige, and ghee-based delicacies are prepared and presented as naivedya (sacred offerings). In the evening, married women are invited, and gifts like turmeric, kumkum, flowers, fruits, and bangles are offered. Guests are honored with bagina (gift bags) after the puja, fostering social bonds.
Significance of Varamahalakshmi Puja:
Performing the Varamahalakshmi Puja with faith and devotion is believed to bring immense benefits. The vrat is said to invoke the blessings of the eight forms of Lakshmi Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Vidya Lakshmi granting wealth, health, peace, and prosperity.
According to scriptures, this puja dispels poverty, sorrow, and distress, bringing harmony and well-being to the household. Sharing gifts with married women and performing aarti together in the evening strengthens community ties. Maintaining cleanliness in the home, Tulsi plant, and entrance is crucial, as Goddess Lakshmi is believed to reside in pure environments.
A positive mindset and serene atmosphere are essential during the puja. Pregnant women with less than seven months of pregnancy can participate if their health permits. The Varamahalakshmi Puja is a sacred ritual that seeks wealth, peace, and prosperity through devotion while reinforcing family unity and spiritual values.