Varalakshmi Vrata is celebrated mainly by married women for long and happy lives of their families and husbands. It is an occasion to please Mata Lakshmi and is enjoyed by Hindus. Goddess Lakshmi is the wife of Lord Vishnu. The festival is celebrated in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated in the month of Sravana or Sawan (July / August) on the first Friday or second Friday of full moon day that is called Poornima.
What is the History of Varalakshmi Vrata festival?
There was a Brahmin woman called Charumathi. She lived happily with her husband in Kundina town of Magadha Kingdom. One day she saw a dream in which Mahalakshmi came to her and asked her to perform a Pooja on Poornima of Sawan month. Mata Lakshmi also asked her to perform Varalakshmi Vrata to fulfill all her wishes and dreams. Then Charumathi told about her dream to members of her family. They conducted pooja on the day as told by Mata Lakshmi . They also let all women of their village to join them and performed the pooja like a festival in a traditional way. To make the event happening, they also offered new dresses and sweets to Goddess Varalakshmi. They showed devotion in their prayer.
How is the festival of Varalakshmi Vrata celebrated?
This Festival is celebrated in Shravana month on the second Friday that is on Poornima. One day before that women wake up early in the morning. They take bath in Brahmamurtham, decorate the pooja area with rangoli and kolam. They also prepare kalasam and to prepare it silver or bronze pot is used. The Swashtik is drawn in pooja area and the sandalwood paste is smeared. The Kalash of kalasham is filled with five different kinds of leaves , water, coins, raw rice and beetle nut. Items like mirror, turmeric, small black bangles ,black beads and comb are also included.
The neck of kalasham is covered with cloth and mango leaves are positioned in the mouth of it. The mouth of it is closed by coconut in turmeric. It is placed in front of the idol of Goddess Lakshmi and Aarti is also performed. On the other day, Kalasam or rahu kalam is placed on bed of rice. On this festival, it is assumed that family members are blessed by Mata Lakshmi.The pooja is started with the worship of Lord Ganesha, followed by Mata Lakshmi pooja. Sweets are distributed and new clothes are worn on this occasion. On Saturday the kalasham’s water is sprinkled in the house in order to bless the house.
What are significance of this festival?
Eight energies or forces known as Bhu (Earth), Siri (Wealth), Sarasvathi (learning), Keerthi (Fame), Shanthi (Peace), Prithi (Love), Pushti(Strength) and Santhushti(Pleasure).These are the Ashta Lakshmis or eight forces of the Hindus. Ashta Lakshmi’s husband that is Vishu is equivalent to ashta Lakshmis or eight forces. This festival of women is celebrated throughout the country for the blessing of Lakshmi Mata for their children and their husbands.
