Purattasi Viratham

Purattasi Viratham – an Introduction

The Vrat or Viratham observed by the devotees during the Tamil month of Purattasi (mid-September – mid-October) is known as Purattasi Viratham. This is a highly popular and widely observed austerity, performed during that month, and is dedicated principally to Lord Srinivasa or Venkateswara, the celebrated form of Lord Vishnu, who is enshrined in his famous abode atop the Tirupati hills.    

Purattasi Month

Purattasi is a sacred month which holds tremendous significance in the worship of Lord Vishnu, and especially his Avatar Srinivasa, who is also known as Venkateswara or Balaji. As per legends, once, Vishnu’s consort Goddess Lakshmi got offended by the disrespect shown to her by a sage and left their abode of Vaikuntam and headed towards the earth. The Lord unable to stand his separation from his very dear spouse also followed her and descended on the Tirumala-Tirupati hills as Srinivasa. It is believed that this episode took place only in the month of Purattasi, and hence this month is regarded as the period of his incarnation and is dedicated entirely to his worship.

Observance of Viratham

Purattasi Viratham is observed with piety during the holy Purattasi month, especially on Saturdays. It is an austerity dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his Venkateswara form. Many devotees observe partial or complete fasts on the occasion, when they forego some specific food items, or restrict to one meal or abstain completely from food, and devote the day to chanting, reading sacred texts, listening to scriptures, prayers, bhajans and to offering worship at temples. Idols or pictures of the deities are well decorated with flowers and other items, while Archana is performed to them with Tulasi, the basil leaves, which is considered highly auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu. Many devotees also wear on their foreheads, the ‘naamam,’ which is worn prominently by Lord Venkateswara himself, who remains as the family deity of a countless number of devotees. Special dishes are also prepared on the occasion for offering to the Lord. Worships are done in many forms depending on the family tradition and custom, and the Viratham is concluded with an Aarti worship when the Lord’s names are chanted aloud in chorus, and the offerings are distributed as Prasad.

Many devotees resort to a unique practice when they light ghee lamps that are made out of food items like flour and jaggery in front of the divine images at homes, chant hymns and offer prayers. This is known as Maavilakku; the traditional lamp lighted in flour. It is believed that the lamp represents the Lord himself, that Venkateswara or Balaji himself is thus invited to the individual homes and that he will be especially pleased with such worship and bless the devotees and their families with all auspiciousness and prosperity. 

Benefits from Purattasi Viratham

Observance of Purattasi Viratham with sincerity and faith can earn for the devotees the unstinted grace of Lord Venkateswara, and this can manifest in the form of all-around welfare and fulfillment of desires. Abstaining from food and devoting time entirely to meditation and prayers during the Viratham can provide much-needed rest to the bodily organs, clear the mind of negative thoughts and bring in peace and tranquility. Continued observance of such Virathams can slowly but surely guide a devotee towards realization and liberation.    

 Connect with Supreme Lord of Wealth, Venkateshwara during auspicious Purattasi Saturdays