Varalakshmi Vratam

Goddess Varalakshmi — the boon-granting form of Mahalakshmi

Shaiva Siddhanta

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Varalakshmi Vratam — observed by married women on the Friday before Shravana Purnima with kalasham puja, the nine-knot sacred toram, and recitation of the Lakshmi Ashtottara, invoking the boon-granting form of Mahalakshmi for the prosperity and well-being of the family.

Dates 2026–2027

August 21, 2026August 13, 2027

Mantra

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः।

Om shreem hreem shreem kamale kamalalaye praseeda praseeda shreem hreem shreem Om mahalakshmyai namah

Om, salutations to the Great Lakshmi who dwells in the lotus — be pleased, be pleased, and bestow your grace.

How to recite

Observed by married women on the second Friday (or the Friday before Shravana Purnima). Wake early, bathe, wear traditional saree and turmeric. Set up the kalasham (sacred pot) with rice, coins, mango leaves, coconut, decorated as Varalakshmi's face. Perform the shodashopachara puja, tie the sacred thread (toram) with nine knots on the right wrist, recite the Lakshmi Ashtottara, offer naivedyam, and conclude with the Vratam katha and aarti. Distribute tamboolam (betel leaves, kumkum, blouse pieces) to married women.

Benefits

Varalakshmi Vratam is said to grant the eight forms of Lakshmi — Adi, Dhana, Dhanya, Gaja, Santana, Veera, Vijaya and Vidya Lakshmi — to the household. Originally narrated by Lord Shiva to Parvati in the Skanda Purana, the vrat is held to bring prosperity, marital harmony, progeny, and freedom from debts. The nine knots of the toram represent the nine forms of Lakshmi protecting the wearer through the year.

✦ Special Note

Per the Drik Panchang for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Date is the second Friday of Shukla Paksha in Shravana, or the Friday immediately preceding Shravana Purnima.

Foods Allowed

Strict satvik vegetarian — observed as a phalahari or single-meal fast until the puja concludesPulihora (tamarind rice), payasam, vada, kesari, sundalFresh fruits, coconut, dry fruits, milk-based sweets offered as naivedyamCow's milk, ghee, dahi for the abhishekam and prasadam

Foods to Avoid

Meat, fish, eggs, alcohol — strictly forbidden on the vrat dayOnion and garlic — excluded from naivedyamGrains until the puja and aarti are completed (in households that observe the strict fast)

Meal Idea

Pulihora, payasam, vada, kesari, sundal, and a coconut-jaggery sweet, offered as naivedyam and shared with neighbours and married women after the puja.

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