Varalakshmi Vratam is a significant festival celebrated by married women across South India, including in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and in parts of Kerala and Maharashtra. In 2026, Varalakshmi Puja and Vratam will be observed on August 28.
The Varamahalakshmi Puja honors Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. The name "Varamahalakshmi" translates to "the boon-granting goddess," and observing this vratam is believed to bring blessings of wealth, prosperity, and a long life for the husband. The specific date is determined by the Hindu calendar and panchang time.
Varalakshmi Puja: Significance, Timing & Spiritual Benefits
Varalakshmi Puja is observed on the Friday before the Full Moon (Pournami) in the Tamil month of Aadi. In the Kannada, Marathi, and Telugu calendars, this falls in the Shravan month. In some years, the date may shift into the Tamil Aavani Masam due to calendar variations.
This auspicious day is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, and performing the Varalakshmi Vratham is believed to be as powerful as worshipping Ashtalakshmi — the eight divine forms of Lakshmi, representing:
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Wealth (Dhana Lakshmi)
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Earth (Bhoomi Lakshmi)
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Learning (Vidya Lakshmi)
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Love (Prema Lakshmi)
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Fame (Kirti Lakshmi)
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Peace (Shanti Lakshmi)
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Pleasure (Tushti Lakshmi)
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Strength (Shakti Lakshmi)
The importance of Varalakshmi Puja is highlighted in the Skanda Purana, where Lord Shiva narrates the significance of this vratam to Goddess Parvati.
Goddess Parvati once asked Lord Shiva about a vrat (fast or observance) that could bring immense blessings to women, helping them lead a happy and prosperous life. In response, Lord Shiva described the Varalakshmi Vrata, explaining its immense spiritual merit.
The name "Varalakshmi" itself carries deep meaning. ‘Vara’ means ‘boon’, and Vara Lakshmi is the benevolent form of Goddess Lakshmi who grants blessings. She is revered as the "Boon-Giver Lakshmi", bestowing devotees with:
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Wealth
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Strength
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Progeny
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Food grains
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Knowledge
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Courage
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Victory
Observing the Varalakshmi Vratam during the Shravana Masam with devotion is believed to invoke the grace of the goddess and bring abundance in all aspects of life.
Varalakshmi Vratam Rules
- On the day, homes are cleaned and will be decorated with mango leaves and rangoli.
- Footprints of the goddess will be painted from the threshold to the place of worship, symbolically welcoming the goddess of wealth Mahalakshmi.
- Shlokas dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi are recited.
- The murti (idol) of Goddess Lakshmi is decorated.
- A Kalash half-filled with rice and neck of the pot is decorated with fresh mango and betel leaves
- A coconut smeared with haldi and kumkum and cloth are placed in the puja area and Goddess Lakshmi is invoked therein.
- Women fast till the puja is over.
- Special dishes like vada, mango rice, dal vadas and sweets like payasam are prepared on the day.
- Women gather in houses in the neighborhood and take part in community 'arathi' in the evening.
- They exchange gifts like bangles, kumkum, betel leaves, fruits and flowers.