Varalakshmi Viratam – Worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi for Wealth and Prosperity

In India, great importance is attached to the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi, the bestower of abundant wealth. She is revered as the deity who grants wealth, prosperity, health, peace, opulence, and an auspicious life. Among the various rituals observed by women with deep devotion to seek Her grace, the Varalakshmi Viratham holds a place of great significance. The observance is named "Varalakshmi Viratham" because it is dedicated to Lakshmi, the "Bestower of Boons" (Varam). Women hold an unwavering belief that those who observe this fast with sincerity will be blessed by Mahalakshmi with an abundance of prosperity, happiness, and wealth in their lives.

The Varalakshmi Viratham is generally observed on the Friday preceding the full moon day in the Tamil month of Aavani. According to the lunar calendar, this corresponds to the Friday before the full moon in the month of Shravana. Scriptures designate this day as highly auspicious for the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and grandeur in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and other parts of South India.

Hindu Puranas recount the origin of the Varalakshmi Viratham. A virtuous and deeply devout woman named Charumathi lived in the kingdom of Magadha. One day, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dream and instructed her to observe a fast and worship Her on the Friday preceding the full moon. Abiding by the Goddess's command, Charumathi observed the ritual meticulously. As a result, her family was blessed with abundant wealth, health, happiness, and all forms of auspiciousness. Upon witnessing this, other women also began to observe this sacred fast. Since then, the Varalakshmi Viratham has remained a significant observance for women.

The primary objective of the Varalakshmi Viratham is not merely the accumulation of wealth. This fast is observed to ensure family harmony, the husband's longevity and good health, the children's progress in education and life, unity within the family, professional growth, and inner peace alongside spiritual advancement.

On the day of the fast, it is customary to rise early, bathe, thoroughly clean the house, draw kolam designs at the entrance, and hang festoons made of mango leaves. The puja room is beautifully decorated; a wooden plank is spread with rice, upon which the kalasam (sacred pot) is placed. The kalasam made of silver, copper, or brass is filled with pure water, smeared with turmeric, vermilion, and sandalwood paste, adorned with mango leaves, and topped with coconut. Subsequently, a face representing Goddess Lakshmi is attached to it, and it is decorated with flowers and jewelry. This kalasam is revered as the divine abode of Goddess Mahalakshmi.

During the puja, lotus flowers—beloved by Goddess Mahalakshmi are offered. Various naivedyam (food offerings) such as Sakkarai Pongal, Payasam, Kozhukattai, Vada, Sundal, and fruits are presented. Lighting a lamp and offering incense to Goddess Lakshmi, followed by the sincere recitation of hymns like Lakshmi Ashtotharam, Sri Suktam, Kanakadhara Stotram, and Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, invokes the Lakshmi Kadaksham (abundant grace) of the Goddess upon the household.

The tying of a nonbu kayiru (sacred thread) holds special significance in the Varalakshmi Viratham. This sacred thread, soaked in turmeric, is tied on the right wrist of women and the left wrist of men after the conclusion of the puja. It is regarded as a symbol of Goddess Mahalakshmi's grace, protection, and auspiciousness. Married women wear the sacred thread associated with this fast for the wellbeing of their families, while unmarried women wear it in the hope of finding a good life partner.

Varalakshmi is considered the embodiment of the Ashta Lakshmi (the eight forms of Lakshmi) namely Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Vidya Lakshmi and worshipping her is believed to bestow the blessings of all eight forms. Consequently, the belief is that one gains not only wealth but also knowledge, courage, progeny, victory, abundance of food, and spiritual connection.

The Varalakshmi Viratham has special significance in astrology as well. Worshipping Goddess Mahalakshmi with devotion is considered an effective remedy for those with a weak Venus in their horoscope, those with afflicted second or eleventh houses, those unable to retain wealth, those facing financial crises, or those burdened by heavy debt. Furthermore, since Friday is the day of Venus, traditional astrological texts state that worshipping Mahalakshmi on this day enhances prosperity and material comforts in life.

The Varalakshmi Viratham is not limited to women alone. It is regarded as a holy day for the entire family to worship together. All family members participate in the pooja and pray to receive Mahalakshmi's blessings. A beautiful tradition associated with this fast involves inviting neighbors, relatives, and married women to offer betel leaves and nuts. Presenting auspicious items such as turmeric, vermilion betel leaves, areca nuts, fruits, mirrors, and bangles strengthens relationships. Mahalakshmi resides where purity, discipline, love, devotion, and righteousness prevail.