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Varamahalakshmi Vratam

Goddess Varamahalakshmi (Shakti — Parvati as Lakshmi)

Lingayat / Veerashaiva

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Varamahalakshmi Vratam is observed on the second Friday before Shravana Purnima (Shravana Shukla Purnima), and is one of the most important festivals for women across South Indian communities — including Lingayats in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Goddess Varamahalakshmi is worshipped as the supreme bestower of boons — she who grants all four purusharthas (dharma, artha, kama, moksha). The kalash adorned as the goddess is the centrepiece of the elaborate home puja.

Dates 2026–2027

August 28, 2026

Mantra

ॐ श्री महालक्ष्म्यै नमः

Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah

Salutation to Goddess Mahalakshmi — the bestower of all auspiciousness, prosperity, and abundance

How to recite

Observe a day fast and perform Varamahalakshmi puja in the evening — adorn a kalash (pot) with a coconut dressed in a saree as Goddess Varamahalakshmi. Offer turmeric, kumkum, flowers, fruits, and sundal. Tie the sacred yellow thread (Varamahalakshmi thread) on your wrist as a blessing. Break your fast after puja with prasad.

Benefits

Varamahalakshmi is 'Vara-Lakshmi' — the Lakshmi who grants boons. Observing this vrat with sincere devotion is believed to bring prosperity, health, family wellbeing, and the fulfilment of heartfelt wishes. In the Lingayat community of Karnataka and Andhra, this is one of the most widely observed women's vrats, kept for the welfare of family and children.

✦ Special Note

Varamahalakshmi Vratam is especially observed by married women for the health, long life, and prosperity of their husbands and families. After puja, sundal is distributed as prasad to neighbours. The sacred Varamahalakshmi thread tied on the wrist is considered her direct blessing and is worn until it naturally falls off. In the Lingayat tradition, Ishtalinga puja is performed first before the Varamahalakshmi puja begins. Dates per the Kannada Drik Panchang (drikpanchang.com, Karnataka reckoning), cross-checked against astronomical tithi computation.

Foods Allowed

Sundal (boiled chickpeas or black-eyed peas with coconut and mustard — the traditional prasad)Bisi bele bath (hot lentil rice with vegetables and spices) — ideal for partial or light fasting daysAkki roti (rice flour flatbread) with coconut chutney or shenga chutneyJolada roti (sorghum/jowar flatbread)Shenga roti (peanut flatbread) — Karnataka specialtyAvalakki (flattened rice / poha) with coconut and mustard temperingRagi mudde (finger millet balls) with hulli or sambarSajjige (semolina sweet pudding / kesari with ghee)Shenga chutney (peanut chutney) — with coconut and green chiliCoconut-based dishes — coconut rice, coconut chutney, kosambari with grated coconutFresh fruits and coconutMilk, curds, and dairyRice flour sweets — kozhukattai, modakRock salt (sendha namak)Holige and traditional Karnataka sweets offered as prasad

Foods to Avoid

Non-vegetarian food — strictly vegetarianOnion and garlicAlcohol

Meal Idea

Sundal (chickpea or black-eyed pea sundal with grated coconut, curry leaves, and mustard) and kozhukattai (steamed rice flour dumplings with coconut-jaggery filling) — the traditional Varamahalakshmi prasad distributed to neighbours and family

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