Varalakshmi Vratham 2023: Know Date, Significance, And Puja Rituals Of The Auspicious Day

Varalakshmi Vratham 2023: The Varalakshmi Vratam, often referred to as the Varalakshmi Puja, honours Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Vara Lakshmi simply means “the one who grants vara (boon)”. Married women in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu observe a fast on this day. The Varalakshmi Vrata takes place in the month of Shravan on the second Friday, which falls before the full moon, or Poornima. Married women observe this fast to receive the choicest blessings of goddess Lakshmi. According to a popular belief, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day is similar to praying to Ashtalakshmi (8 forms of goddess Lakshmi) which are the eight goddesses of wealth, earth, learning, love, fame, pleasure, peace, and strength. This year, The Varalakshmi Vratham will be observed on 25th August 2023. 

Varalakshmi Vratham 2023: Date, Timings And Shubh Muhurat 

- Varalakshmi Vratham 2023 Date - 25th August 2023 (Friday)

- Singh Lagna Puja Muhurat (Morning Muhurat) - 05:55 - 07:40 A.M. 

- Vrishchik Lagna Puja Muhurat (Afternoon Muhurat) - 12:14 - 02:32 P.M. 

- Kubh Lagna Puja Muhurat (Evening Muhurat) - 06:19 - 07:48 P.M. 

- Vrishabh Lagna Puja Muhurat (Midnight Muhurat) - 10:50 - 12:46 A.M. 

Varalakshmi Vratam 2023: Significance Of The Sacred Day 

The esteemed significance of the Varalakshmi Vratham has been mentioned in the Vishnu Purana and Narad Purana. It is believed that the Varalakshmi form of goddess Lakshmi fulfils all the desires of the devotees who observe a fast on this day, and bless them with the boon of abundant good fortune, happiness, wealth and prosperity. 

Siri (wealth), Bhu (earth), Sarasvati (learning), Priti (love), Keerthi (fame), Shanthi (peace), Santushti (pleasure), and Pushti (strength) are the eight forces or energy. These eight energies collectively go by the name Ashta Lakshmi, and each of them is referred to as Goddess Lakshmi. Hence, it is also believed that the devotees who observe a fast on this day can please all the eight mighty forms of goddess Lakshmi and receive each of their choicest blessings. 

Also Read: 31 Auspicious Names Of Goddess Lakshmi With Meaning To Revere The Devi Of Fortune

Varalakshmi Vratam 2023: Rituals Associated With The Auspicious Day 

Women wake up early on this day and take a bath. The house and the specified puja location are cleaned, and a lovely "kolam" or rangoli is created. A swastika symbol is drawn with sandalwood paste on a clean, bronze or silver pot. 

A swastika symbol is drawn with sandalwood paste on a clean, bronze or silver pot. Raw rice, water, coins, whole lime, five different types of leaves, and beetle nuts are all placed inside the pot. This pot is covered using a clean red cloth. Thereafter, mango leaves are placed on the rims of the pot. 

After all this is done, a coconut covered with turmeric paste is placed on the mango leaves. An image of Goddess Lakshmi is placed or drawn using turmeric powder on the Coconut so that the pot becomes the representation of goddess Lakshmi.  It is typically set on a rice bed. 

The worship begins with Lord Ganesha. Lakshmi Sahasranamam and shlokas are recited at the Varalakshmi Puja, which is further culminated with an aarti. 

During the Varalakshmi Puja, women observe a fast until the puja time. After taking a bath the following morning, the pot is broken down, and its water is sprinkled over the house.