Varalakshmi Vratham 2024

In Hindu customs and celebrations, goddesses are accorded significant importance. Varalakshmi Vratham is a Hindu festival honouring the goddess Varalakshmi. This vratam is connected to married women in our society and is an earnest request for blessings, safety, and general well-being for their families.

When is Varalakshmi Vratham  in 2024?

Varalakshmi Vratham will be observed on Friday, August 16, 2024. According to the Hindu calendar, this auspicious day will happen during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Shravana, which is considered exceedingly sacred in Hindu culture.

About Goddess Varalakshmi

Goddess Varalakshmi is regarded as the goddess of money, prosperity, and good fortune in Hindu culture and history. She is thought to be a manifestation of the revered Hindu deity Lakshmi. The term "Varalakshmi" itself means "the goddess of abundance" or "the one who bestows blessings." It is a universal belief that the goddess Varalakshmi grants her devotees' wishes and bestows benefits upon them. 

The origins of Varalakshmi Vratham can be traced back to early Hindu customs. This festival is mentioned in ancient scriptures such as the Skanda Purana, which tells the narrative of how Goddess Parvati commanded the sage Charumathi to celebrate this vratam in order to receive favours and achieve her aspirations. 

About Varalakshmi Vratham

Goddess Varalakshmi is honoured on the day of the Varalakshmi Vratham festival. In particular, married women follow this vratam (fasting) with great devotion as they pray for blessings for their families, particularly their husbands and kids. It's a festival that honours the strength of female energy and the value of family.

Benefits of Varalakshmi Vratham

Many Individuals believe that Following Varalakshmi Vratham  brings many blessings as shown below: 

• Prosperity and Wealth: Many who follow the vratam (fasting) believe that it benefits the family by bringing money and prosperity. 

• Family Harmony: It is thought to improve family relationships and bring happiness into the home. 

• Fulfillment of Wishes: Goddess Varalakshmi is known for making her followers' desires come true.

• Spiritual Growth: The vratam consists of fasting, prayers, and rituals that might lead to spiritual happiness.

Why do we celebrate varalakshmi festival

The history of the Varalakshmi Vratham celebration dates back to the Vedic period. This sacred day is dedicated to the goddess Varalakshmi, who is linked to happiness, prosperity, and wealth. It has significant religious significance. Married ladies in Southern India mostly observe it in remembrance of the blessings bestowed by Goddess Varalakshmi. 

In the Hindu month of Shravana, which is equivalent to July or August in the Gregorian calendar, the event takes place on the Friday before the full moon day (Purnima). Devotees, particularly married ladies (sumangali), fast for a day as a gesture of devotion and to seek blessings from Goddess Lakshmi. According to many followers, worshipping Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi, who is represented by eight distinct forms of Goddess Lakshmi and symbolises various forms of wealth. 

How to do Varalakshmi pooja (Varalakshmi Vratham)

• Preparation : Prepare your home for the puja by cleaning it and making sure you follow the auspicious. 
• Kalasha Sthapana: Fill a kalash (pot) with rice, coins, betel nuts, and gemstones (to represent abundance). 

• Calling for the Goddess: Place an image or idol of Goddess Varalakshmi on the kalash.  

• Offerings: Offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and incense to the goddess Varalakshmi. 

• Varalakshmi Vrat Katha: Recite or listen to the story of Varalakshmi Vratham.

• Aarti and Prayers: Perform aarti (offering of light) and chant prayers dedicated to the goddess then distribute the blessed food (prasadam) to family and friends. 

 Rituals of Varalakshmi Vratham

1. Kalasham Decoration: Married ladies decorate a brass or silver pot, known as a holy kalasham, with gold embellishments, flowers, and mango leaves. A coconut placed on top of the pot will finish the kalasham. The holy kalasham represents the presence of the Goddess Varalakshmi. 

2. Sacred Items Inside the Kalasham: Rice, betel leaves, turmeric sticks, bananas, coins, and other auspicious offerings are placed inside the kalasham to represent abundance, purity, and prosperity. 

3. Thread and Coconut: The sacred Kalasham is wrapped in a yellow thread dipped in turmeric to symbolise both its protection and its devotion. After scrubbing the saucepan with turmeric, set the coconut on top of it. 

4. Invoking Goddess Lakshmi: Women welcome Goddess Lakshmi into their homes by performing rituals, reciting sacred hymns (shlokas), and lighting lamps. 

5. Symbolic Gesture: Worshipping Varalakshmi on this day is considered by many followers to be the same as worshipping Ashtalakshmi, as the eight facets of Goddess Lakshmi signify various sorts of prosperity. 

Varalakshmi pooja vidhi

An artistically pleasing ceremony, the Varalakshmi Pooja is performed to connect with and get blessings from Goddess Varalakshmi. The Varalakshmi Pooja Vidhi is as follows:

1. Preparation:Make sure you clean the pooja area and your house. Have a sacred Kalasham (pot) filled with water, and place flowers, mango leaf, and turmeric on it. Place an image or idol of the goddess Varalakshmi in front of the Kalasham and place a coconut on top of the pot.

2. Sankalpa (Declaration of Intent) and Avahana (Invocation): Light a ghee light and some incense sticks. In your thoughts, repeat the sankalpa mantra while expressing your intention. After offering Lord Ganesha a prayer, present the kalash with water, turmeric, kumkum, and flowers. To call Goddess Varalakshmi inside the kalash and idol, recite the Avahana mantra.

3. Offerings and Rituals:Present the goddess with flowers and a seat. Offer her water to drink after symbolically washing her hands and feet. Give the goddess Varalakshmi statue a bath in pure water and Panchamrita, a concoction of milk, yoghurt, ghee, honey, and sugar. Put on a fresh sari or piece of cloth, decorate it with jewellery, and add turmeric and kumkum. Present a garland and extra flowers. In front of the goddess idol, wave a lit lamp and light incense sticks.

4. Naivedya and Thamboola: Present the goddess idol with an assortment of prepared foods, fruits, candies, and a betel leaf and nut. For each of these offerings, recite the appropriate mantra.

5. Concluding Rituals: While saying prayers and singing hymns, place some camphor in a puja thali and wave it in front of the deity. Pay your respects by doing three clockwise loops around the kalasham in front of the idol. While you conduct the Mangala Arati, hold a lit lamp. Give loved ones the sacred meal, called prasadam, after pleading for forgiveness of any misdeeds

Exploring our varalakshmi products

At GIRI, we recognise the significance of Varalakshmi Vratham, a festival devoted to honouring Goddess Lakshmi. We have a unique selection of items that can be used on this sacred occasion to help your celebrations become more meaningful. This Varalakshmi Vratham, spreads happiness with carefully chosen GIRI items. Let us join you on your spiritual journey by helping you make special memories.