Vara Lakshmi Vratam

Importance of the VaraLakshmi Vratam: (Who and When)

Varalaksmi Vratam is an Indian festival celebrated to worship Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth). As the name says it all this Vratam is to please Goddess Lakshmi the “Varapradayini” (giver of boons). Married women in the family perform this vratam for the well-being and prosperity of the family. It is believed that by doing this vratam all the desires come true with the blessings of Goddess Vara Lakshmi, also believed that performing this vratam one can worship all the 8 avatarams of Lakshmi Devi (Ashta Lakshmi).

This Vratam is celebrated in different parts of India: Andra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Maharastra, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. All the states do the pooja a bit differently but the semantical feeling behind all traditions is the same (devotion for Goddess Vara Lakshmi).

This festival is usually celebrated in the month of Sravana/Shravana/ Sawan on the second Friday (before Sukla Paksha Poornima). If one can for any reason not do this vratam on second Friday they can choose any Friday of the month in order of spiritual preference first Friday, fourth Friday and third Friday.

Pooja Samagri / Things required to be arranged before the Pooja

• Pasupu (Turmeric)
• Kumkum
• Flowers (Small Mala for Ammavaru and also loose flowers for the Pooja)
• Pasupu Kommulu (if you get it for the Vayanam you give to Ammavaru)
• Nalla Vakka or Vakkapadi
• Banana / Any fruit of your choice – 6
• Tamalapakulu (15  minimum)
• Agarbatti
• Karpooram
• Mango Leaves ( For thoranam & kalasam)
• Samrani (only if you prefer not a mandatory thing)
• Kobari Kayalu(Coconuts ) – 2(1 for the nayivedhya and 1 for the kalasam)  
• Gandham (sandal powder)
• Akshantalu
• Change coins (for vayanam)
• Panchamrutam
• Soaked Kala Channa
• Ghee Vothulu
• Panchapatra & udherinah ( Glass and spoon)
• Pooja Ghanta
• Arati plate
• Deepam (Lit two Diya on either side of Ammavaru )
• Pati tho chesina Yegnopavitham (Vastralu)
• Thoralu
• A napikin for wiping your hands
• Also remember to note down the Thidhi, gotram, year name beforehand from any Indian calendar.
• Ghee
• Rice (Pooja peeta)
• Chembu for kalasam
• Maha Nayivedhyam
• Jewelry for Ammavari alankarana
• New clothes for Ammavaru ( if making the idol)

Pooja Place arrangements

• Kalasam (chembu , coconut , mango leaves and blouse piece)
• Ammavari Mandapam
• Ammavaru Alakarana ( If making a Idol make sure that all the necessary preparations are done)
• Thoralu (9 layers of thread with turmeric applied and 9 knots )

On the Day of Vratam

• Wake up before Sunrise or at least early in the morning .
• Do Abhyangana Snanam
• Complete the preparations of Maha Nayivedyam .
• Complete the pooja place arrangements and bring all the pooja samagri near to the pooja place and arrange in sequence to Pooja vidhanam(this saves time).

Vrata Pooja Vidhanam Overview

• Ganapati Pooja
• Sankalpam
• Prana Pooja
• Kalasapooja
• Shopdashopachara Pooja
• Anga Pooja
• Ashtotaram
• Thora Pooja
• Vrata Katha
• Kshamapana Mantram
• Naivedhyam
• Harathi
• Namaskaram

Vayanam Details

What to give in Vayanam :

• 3 Tamalapakulu
• Two fruits
• Pasupu Kumkum
• Vakkalu
• Soaked Channa
• Coin
• A flower
• Saree/ blouse piece(optional)
• 4 Bangles
• Any alankarana useful things (optional)

How to give vayanam :

• Sit In front of the Muthayiduvu apply Kumkum on her forehead.
• Apply Chandan
• Apply Pasupu to her legs
• Tie the thoram
• Offer her to take the Pasupu (take some pasupu separately for this as this for her mangalasutralu)
• Ask her to hold the Akshintalu for blessing you and then give vayanam
• While giving Vayanam, cover the Vayanam with the Pallu of your saree and give it into the pallu of the Muthayiduvu, also say as below:

You: Isthi ni Amma Vayanam

Muthayiduvu: Puchukunti namma Vayanam  …… (3 times)

You: Nah Vayanam puchukundi yevaru

Muthayiduvu: Nenu Eh Sakshath Vara Lakshmi devi ni  ……. (3 times)

You: Korithi ni amma Varam

Muthayiduvu: Isthi ni Varam ……. (3 times) 

• Now take her blessings.

Note : Make sure the Muthayiduvu is served all the food prepared for Maha Nayivedyam and serve her the lunch with complete devotion.

Evening of Vratam Day

• Light the diya
• Offer Prasadam

Note : As you do prana pratista it is believed that Ammavaru is at your home so offer her evening prayers as well.

Udvasana (next day of Vratam)

• Nitya Pooja
• Lakshmi Pooja (Astotharam)
• Make curd rice for prasadam
• Do harathi
• Reciting the kshamapana Mantram, move the kalasam, Pasupu Ganapathi and Pasupu Ammavaru.
• Do the udvasana/udyapana vidhi, remove the kalasam, Pasupu Ammavaru and Ganapathi (usually ladies apply this pasupu from the Ammavaru on their face. Also, you can put the Pasupu Ammavaru and Ganesh into some plants and as you water the plants these Idols also get dissolved).

Here are some Pooja place Decoration Ideas

• Simple Varalakshmi Vratam Backdrop Decoration Ideas
• DIY Banana Tree for pooja decoration

Interesting facts from Puranam’s(Scriptures)

• The reason behind women doing the Pooja is , woman is considered the Gruha Lakshmi so she is given the first right to perform this vratam.
• Doing this vratam with friends and family collectively is much more auspicious as the vrata katha also states, “Charumathi was told about the vratam by Godess Varalakshmi herself and the way Charumathi performed the pooja is with all the villagers irrespective of caste and creed”.
• The decorations, nayivedyams, buying of gold (Ammavari roopu) etc.. are all family and regional traditions, not mandatory. Only mandatory is making Pasupu Ammavaru and whole hearted devotion.

Let me know how you celebrate your Vara Lakshmi Vratam in the comment section below.

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Stay Blessed and Hope you have a pleasant Sravana Masam!!!!