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Home > Other Astrological Information > Events / Festivals > Varalakshmi Vratam
According to Hindu tradition, Sravanamasam is considered to be very auspicious month especially for women who perform the very famous Varalakshmi Vratam on Fridays. Usually, Varalakshmi Vratam will be performed in Sravanamasam Friday well before the Full moon or Poornima. Vara means boon and Goddess Varalakshmi who gives all the boons to those who perform the Vratam. Those who failed to perform the Vratam to invoke the blessings of Goddess on that day, they could do so on any Friday of the Sravanamasam.
The name Varalakshmi itself can be interpreted in two ways. In one sense, Varalakshmi is one who grants boons. In another, she is the Goddess who is invited into the home and honored. The different types of benefits that will accrue thanks to performing the Varalakshmi puja are Dhan (Money), Dhanyam (Gains or Food), Arogyam (Health), Sampath (property), Sathsanthanam (Virtuous offspring) and Dheerga saumangalyam (Longevity of the husband).
Ancient texts say that who perform the puja have to observe fast on the eve of Varalakshmi Vratam. On the day of Puja, they should get up early during Brahma Kalam and take a bath. The house hold should be cleaned and the entrances smeared with turmeric powder and the kum kum marks applied. A small Mandapam is set up by drawing a rangoli. Rice is spread on the rangoli and a kalasa is placed on the rice. The kalasa comprises a small pot on which is placed a coconut. Atop the coconut, a cloth is placed like cap .The features of the Goddess are also drawn on the coconut to make the image of Her to facilitate worship.
After worshipping Lord Vigneswara, which is normally done before any puja, the main puja of Varalakshmi Vratam is performed. After the puja, women from the neighborhood are invited for Perantam and offered Thambulam.
The ancient texts say that the story of Varalakshmi is that a brahmin woman Charumathi lives in Kundina Town of Magadha kingdom with her husband and in-laws. She is an ideal daughter in law and wife serving her in laws and husband dutifully. One night, Goddess Mahalakshmi appears in the dream and asks her to perform puja to Varalakshmi, the Goddess who is giver of boons. Accordingly, she organizes the puja and invites her relatives and friends to the puja. After the puja, all those who attended get wealth and prosperity. This puja is performed by all irrespective of caste, creed and is very popular in north Andhra Pradesh.
Varalakshmi Vratam falls on the following days in the respective years:
Varalakshmi Vratam for the year 2007 falls on August 24, 2007
Varalakshmi Vratam for the year 2006 falls on August 4, 2006.
Important Festivals, Holidays & Observations during the year of 2007