Varalakshmi Vratham Pooja Procedure: Step-by-Step Puja process

• Varalakshmi Vratham is a special festival dedicated to seeking blessings from Goddess Lakshmi.
• Following the detailed procedure ensures a meaningful and auspicious celebration.

Varalakshmi Vratam, a cherished Hindu tradition, is observed predominantly by married women to seek blessings for the well-being of their family members. This vratam is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Celebrated on the last Shukla Paksha Friday of the Shravana month, this year, Varalakshmi Pooja falls on Friday, August 25, 2023. The festival is especially prominent in South Indian states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, as well as in Maharashtra and Orissa.

Invocation of Goddess Lakshmi and Ashtalakshmi

Devotees believe that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day is equivalent to invoking the blessings of Ashtalakshmi, the eight forms of the goddess, including Wealth, Earth, Learning, Love, Fame, Peace, Pleasure, and Strength.

Preparations and Decorations

• Cleanse the house and pooja area with holy water.
• Arrange a peeta (wooden plank) or plate and cover it with a banana leaf.
• Place raw rice over the banana leaf as a base.
• Prepare the Kalasha (pot) with scented water, turmeric sticks, betel leaves, betel nuts, coins, and optionally, jaggery, dry fruits, etc.
• Dress up the Kalasha with a coconut and a face of Goddess Lakshmi, available in the market.
• Decorate the idol of Goddess Lakshmi with new clothes, jewelry, and flowers.

Pooja Rituals

1. Ganesh Pooja: Begin with a prayer to Lord Ganesha for a smooth and obstacle-free pooja.
2. Avahanam and Anga Pooja: Invoke Goddess Lakshmi by offering flowers and akshatha to the Kalasha. Perform Anga Pooja, worshipping each body part of the goddess.
3. Lakshmi Ashtothram: Recite the 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi while offering flowers.
4. Neivedyam: Offer a variety of sweets/neivedyam to Goddess Lakshmi, including items like idli, sweet pooran kozhukattai, ellu kozhukattai, chitranna, payasam, sweet appam, etc.
5. Mangala Aarathi: Conclude the pooja by performing a mangala aarathi while singing the Harathi song.

Pooja Accessories and Essentials

• Kalasha (pot) with scented water or specific ingredients
• Flowers, akshatha (rice grains), turmeric, kumkum, betel leaves, betel nuts
• Coconut, blouse piece, mirror, comb
• Face of Goddess Lakshmi (available in the market)
• Fruits, sweets, and neivedyam items
• Thoram (yellow thread) and Pongu nool (sacred thread)
• Silver or bronze lamp
• New blouse piece, coins, bangles, coconut for thamboolam bags
• Lamp, turmeric, kumkum for aarathi
• Thoram, pongu nool, blouse piece, and coins for distribution
• Optionally, jaggery, dry fruits, and black bead chain (karimani mala)

Fasting and Observance

• The observer should fast until the pooja is completed (elderly women can have milk and fruits).
• Married women tie the thoram on their right hand and pongu nool around their neck, symbolizing their married status.

Conclusion and Removal of Kalasha

The Varalakshmi Pooja concludes with the removal of the Kalasha. After a few days, dismantle the Kalasha, and sprinkle the water around the house. Dispose of the rice, if used, in a sacred manner. Please note that the procedure mentioned above is based on traditional practices and may vary depending on regional customs. For precise guidance, it’s advisable to consult with experienced individuals or elders who are well-versed in Varalakshmi Pooja rituals.