Goddess Varalakshmi
Every married Hindu woman, mostly in the southern states of our country, propitiates the goddess Lakshmi on this most auspicious day in the month of Shravana. They pray to the goddess Varalakshmi (Lakshmi, the boon-giver)) to provide happiness, wealth, health and longevity to their husbands.
In other words, it is a prayer made by a woman not for herself but for the betterment of her family.
8 Forms of Goddess Lakshmi
Goddess Lakshmi has eight forms:
- Adilakshmi,
- Dhanya Lakshmi,
- Dhairya Lakshmi,
- Gaja Lakshmi,
- Santhana Lakshmi,
- Vijaya Lakshmi,
- Vidya Lakshmi and
- Dhana Lakshmi.
The other forms of Lakshmi are
- Aishvarya Lakshmi,
- Saubhgya Lakshmi,
- Rajya Lakshmi and
- Vara Lakshmi.
The devotees pray to each form of the goddess to have specific benefits from such prayers.
This year the Varalakshmi Vratam will be observed on 16.8.2024.
There are different forms of performing the Puja in different states. Generally, a Kalasham filled with water is placed on a wooden seat. A coconut duly decorated with turmeric, kumkum, and betel leaves, is placed on the Kalasham. It is further decorated with a cloth, ornaments and in some places, a replica of the face of the goddess is also placed.
After performing the puja with all the rituals, they read the story of the Vratam. They also tie a yellow thread on the right wrist. They read the story and conclude the Vratam.
Story of Varalakshmi Vratam
According to the legend, the story is narrated by Sutha Mahamuni to other rishis as was told by Lord Shiva to Parvati. She wanted the Lord to tell her about a Vratam which bestows the women with manifold boons including the growth of her family. Lord Shiva told her the story.
There was a lady named Charumathi in the kingdom of Magadh. Every day she used to get up in the morning at dawn, serve the elders and complete her household chores. She used to talk politely in a composed manner.
Pleased with her attributes, Maha Lakshmi appeared in her dream and advised her to perform her Puja on the auspicious Friday falling before the full moon in the month of Shravana. She invited her neighbours and performed the puja meticulously. Each one of them was blessed with bounties and they led happy lives thereafter.
Significance of Varalakshmi Vratam
During the months of Sravana and Bhadrapada, heavy rains are expected throughout the country. They generate bacteria and insects loom large. Women will apply turmeric to their body, face and hands before performing the Vratam, which will serve as an antibacterial and anti-fungal cream. They clean the house and decorate it with mango leaves which stop bad fumes from entering the houses.
This Vratam signifies a woman’s desire to have a healthy growth of her family filled with riches and happiness. She involves her children in the house decoration and imparts knowledge about the rituals being performed.
Performing this puja will bring happiness, peace and prosperity in abundance. The benediction of the Goddess provides not only wealth but also wisdom, health, and fearlessness for leading a fruitful life transcending the material world into a spiritual abode.
Namastestu Mahamaye
Shree peete Sura poojithe
Shanka Chakra Gadha Haste
Maha Lakshmi Namostute
Padhmasane padhmakare
sarva lokaika poojithe
Naaraayane priye devee
supreethaa mama sarvadhaa
Sri Varalakshmi Vratam at Tiruchanur
The annual festival Sri Varalakshmi Vratam is performed with religious fervor and gaiety by the TTD every year at Sri Padmavati Ammavari Temple, in Tiruchanur. As part of the festival, Abhishekam for utsava murty will be performed in the morning and later the Utsava idol of Sri Padmavati ammavaru will be brought to the Astana Mandapam for the rituals of Sankalpam, Kalasha sthapana, Kumkumarchana, Vrata Vaishistam and ends with Maha Mangala Harathi.
The Asthana mandapam will be decorated colourfully with flowers and illuminated with lights. Later Sri Varamahalakshmi vratam will be performed in traditional style. The temple priest will narrate the legend of Varalakshmi vratam as glorified in the Skanda Puranam.
As part of the festival, the deity will be taken around on golden chariot on the four mada streets in the evening.
