Today (24th August) is the auspicious Varakshmi Vratham festival
Posted on: 24/Aug/2018 12:05:21 PM
The married women must perform/observe Varalakshmi Vratham right from the 1st Varalakshmi Vratham day after their marriage and then continue it every year further. In case the women have their menstrual period on this occasion, they can perform and observe the Varalakshmi Vratham the next Friday immediately after.
The epics clarify that it was the Goddess Mahalakshmi who advised the women to perform this Varalakshmi Viratham. Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in the dreams of the ardent devotee Charumathi and asked her to perform this special penance granting the longevity of married life.
Unlike some other festivals, one need not stretch their body or minds too much to observe the Vratham (penance). Focus the mind on Goddess Mahalakshmi and pray intensely, That is all. The procedure for performing Varalakshmi Vratham are detailed below.
It is not mandatory for the pregnant and sick women to observe this penance. Usually, the penance is observed right from the sunrise until the Varalakshmi Pooja is completed. Otherwise, the devotee can choose her preferred timings.
Green plantain is must not be used for cooking on this day. ‘Sundal’ (Steamed pulses like Bengal Gram, Split gram, green or dried peas, double beans, groundnuts, etc.). can be taken as the main dish on this occasion.
Start performing Lord Vinayaka Pooja first, follows this with Kalasa Pooja, devotional songs, Mahalakshmi Pooja, Prayer (Prarthana) and finally ‘Aarthi’.
Items required for performing the Varalakshmi Vratham
- An idol of Lord Vinayaka made from a block of turmeric
- A plantain leaf
- Rice
- Coconut
- Bananas
- Betel nuts
- Camphor
- Agarbathis (incense sticks)
- Incense
- Lemons
- Vermillion
- Holy ash
- Sandal
- Flowers
- The traditional lamp for pooja
- Penance thread
- Food items to be offered such as Pongal, Payasam, and other items
- Jewels ad cash if available
Arrange all this and start performing the Pooja/penance after lighting the lamp.
Occasions when this need not observed – Sometimes the women may be indisposed or having their menstruation period They can perform this Pooja immediately following Friday or else on the Friday during the Navarathri period and avail the same benefits.
The penance thread is one of the most important items on this occasion. Immediately at the end of the Vratham or the penance, the women who performed it wear this on their wrists. Apart from the 8 Goddesses of Lakshmi, these threads add as the 9th Goddess Lakshmi. They make 9 knots in this thread and tie a flower and then pray. After the prayer, they take these threads and wear them on their wrists.
Things not to be done on the occasion of Varalakshmi Vratham – Never compel anyone to perform this penance/pooja. This is because the occasion signifies and requires total faith and focused mind on the Goddess praying for the longevity of married life and hence it is not worthwhile to compel persons who do not possess this faith/focus.
If starting this Pooja for the 1st time ever, then it is extremely advisable to enquire about the detailed procedure e about the penance with the knowledgeable people regarding this and then start.
This pooja is exclusively meant for the married women. Unmarried women can join their mothers and perform the pooja.
By chanting the slogan on ‘Varalakshmi Potri’ during the daily pooja with devotion, the performer can attain wealth and prosperity and the longevity in married life.
