Varalakshmi Vratam is a special pooja or festival performed by married women and young girls in South India to worship Goddess Lakshmi-the Goddess of wealth, power and prosperity. Performing of this pooja is considered worshipping all the different forms of Goddess Lakshmi. It is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

The pooja is marks strict observance of some austerities, practices and fasting and it falls in the month of Ashada on the last Friday of the bright fortnight.For 2008, it falls on 15th August, Friday.

Celebrations of Vara Lakshmi Vratham
The evening before the day of worship, the place where the puja will be performed is cleaned thoroughly and decorated with rangolis and flowers. A bronze puja kalasam (pot) is filled with water or rice and coins, betel leaves, betel nut and mango leaves. The kalasam is smeared with turmeric, sandal paste, vermillion and a new cloth is tied around its neck.

A coconut smeared with turmeric paste around it is placed on the top of the kalasam with mango leaves falling sides of the kalasam. An image of Goddess Laxmi made of different materials is affixed to the kalasam. The kalasam is considered as the Lakshmi Herself. After this women offer aarthi to the kalasam.

The next morning before rahu kalam, the decorated kalasam is placed on a bed of rice. This epitomizes that Goddess Laxmi has entered into the house. After this Vara Laxmi pooja begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesh. During the pooja, Lakshmi Sahasranamam, and slokas dedicated to Varalakshmi are chanted. Even songs are sung in praise of Goddess. After this different types of sweets, fruits and flowers are offered to Goddess.

After the end of the puja women and young girls tie yellow colored threads to their wrists. Thamboolam is offered to ‘sumangalis’ (married women) who were invited to the place of worship. Women and girls who performed the puja observe a strict fast on that day and can only eat certain foods. The holy water of the kalasam is sprinkled throughout the house the following day. Rice used in place of water in the kalasam is mixed with the rice stored in the house.

Myth behind Vara Lakshmi Vratham
The myth behind the origin of Vara Lakshmi Vratham tells the following story. Once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were playing a game of dice. Although Parvati was winning each game, Shiva claimed victory at every game. So, Parvati wanted an umpire and Chitranemi (a creation of Lord Shiva) was chosen for this. Chitranemi, an underling of Shiva, supported Lord Shiva. This sort of behavior by Chitranemi provoked Goddess Parvati’s wrath and She cursed him that he should be affected by leprosy for not doing his duties in fair ways.

After this Chitranemi begged an apology to Parvati and Shiva too. It is said that she was reluctant to forgive Chitranemi and but said that he would get rid his fatal diseases by observing the Varalakshmi Vratam. By worshipping Varalakshmi, it is said that Chitranemi got rid of the leprosy. Even some historical incidents too are associated with this festival where women were blessed by Goddess Lakshmi’s grace. The story of these mysterious incidents spread everywhere and the custom of worshipping Vara Laxmi started.

Significance of Varalakshmi Vratam
Vara Lakshmi Vratham is celebrated to propitiate Varalakshmi (Mahalakshmi). Goddess Laxmi symbolizes eight forces i.e. Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvati (learning), Priti (love), Kirti (Fame), Santi (Peace), Tushti (Pleasure) and Pushti (Strength). Each of these forces is called as a Lakshmi and all combined called as ‘Ashta Lakshmi.’ So the puja of Varalakshmi is equal to the puja of all the eight Lakshmis.

Lord Maha Vishnu, husband of Ashta Lakshmi said to be the asylum of these eight forces. He radiates these forces from him. Since these abstract forces are beyond the comprehension of an ordinary human being, they are personified and worshipped as Lakshmis. As the three main forces health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces. Invoking of Goddess Lakshmi through Vara Lakshmi Vratham are said to obtain them.

It is said that as Goddess Lakshmi is a woman, she will be more pleased by women. Hence the festival is largely observed by women for the welfare of their husbands, children and family.