--> Skip to main content


How To Worship Varalakshmi In Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

By

Comprehensive Guide to Worshiping Varalakshmi in Hinduism

Varalakshmi Vratam is a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, particularly in her form as Varalakshmi, the bestower of boons and prosperity. The worship of Varalakshmi is considered highly auspicious, as it is believed to bring wealth, health, and prosperity to the household.

Benefits of Worshiping Varalakshmi

Worshiping Goddess Varalakshmi is believed to bring several blessings, including:

  • Material Wealth: The goddess is the embodiment of wealth and prosperity.
  • Family Well-being: Worship ensures the health, happiness, and longevity of family members.
  • Spiritual Benefits: Devotees also receive spiritual strength, mental peace, and blessings of protection from evil influences.

Preparation for the Puja

Cleanliness and Purity

  • Personal Hygiene: Before beginning the puja, one should take a bath and wear clean clothes. Purity of the body and mind is essential.
  • Clean House and Altar: The house, especially the area where the puja is to be conducted, should be thoroughly cleaned. The altar where the Varalakshmi idol or Kalash (pot symbolizing the deity) is placed should be decorated with flowers and rangoli (preferably made of rice flour or turmeric powder).

Time for Worship

  • Varalakshmi Vratam is usually observed on the Friday before the full moon in the month of Shravana (July–August). The puja should begin in the morning and can continue into the early afternoon. The best time for the puja is during the auspicious Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn hours) or before noon.

Color of Clothes to Wear

  • Women generally wear sarees in bright, auspicious colors such as yellow, red, green, or gold, symbolizing purity, devotion, and prosperity. Men typically wear traditional attire like a dhoti and angavastram.
  • Eco-friendly fabrics like cotton and handloom clothes are ideal, as they represent a connection to nature and sustainability.

Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)

It’s important to use eco-friendly, traditional items to respect nature and uphold dharmic values. Here's a list of puja items:

  1. Kalash (Pot) – Traditionally made of copper, silver, or brass.
  2. Coconut – With husk for placing on the Kalash.
  3. Mango Leaves – Fresh and pesticide-free for decorating the Kalash.
  4. Betel Leaves and Nuts – Use naturally sourced, organic varieties.
  5. Flowers – Lotus, marigold, or jasmine; avoid artificial flowers.
  6. Fruits – Organic and seasonal fruits like bananas, mangoes, and pomegranates.
  7. Turmeric and Kumkum – Natural, organic powders for anointing the deity and devotees.
  8. Rice – Unpolished or eco-friendly rice for offerings.
  9. Camphor and Incense – Use eco-friendly incense sticks made of natural ingredients.
  10. Ghee Lamps – Made from natural cow ghee in earthen or brass lamps.
  11. Water in a Copper Pot – For cleansing and offerings.
  12. Silk or Cotton Cloth – Use organic, eco-friendly fabric to cover the Kalash or Varalakshmi idol.

Steps of Varalakshmi Puja (Simple and Traditional)

  1. Kalash Setup:

    • Place a Kalash filled with water, rice, a coin, and a few grains of turmeric.
    • Place mango leaves around the neck of the Kalash, and a coconut wrapped with a red cloth on top.
    • The Kalash represents Goddess Varalakshmi.

  2. Decorating the Kalash:

    • Place a picture or small idol of Varalakshmi near the Kalash, adorned with flowers and jewelry.
    • Apply turmeric and kumkum to the Kalash, coconut, and Varalakshmi’s image.

  3. Offering of Prayers and Mantras:

    • Light the lamps and incense.
    • Begin the puja by invoking Lord Ganesha, reciting the Ganesha mantra to remove obstacles:
      • "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah"
    • Offer flowers, turmeric, kumkum, betel leaves, betel nuts, and fruits to the Kalash.
    • Recite the Varalakshmi Vratam Mantras:
      • "Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Mahalaxmiyei Namah" – This is the Lakshmi mantra for wealth and prosperity.

  4. Puja Offerings:

    • Offer fruits, sweets, and naivedyam (prepared food) to the Goddess.
    • Some popular prasad items include coconut rice, lemon rice, sweet pongal, and payasam (kheer), made from natural ingredients without artificial preservatives.

  5. Aarti and Prayers:

    • Conclude the puja by singing the Lakshmi Aarti and offering camphor (karpoora aarti) to the Goddess:
      • "Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata" – the traditional aarti song.
    • Seek blessings by offering pranams (prostrations) to the Goddess and distributing prasad to the family members.

  6. Offering Prasad to the Poor:

    • It is considered highly auspicious to offer food or prasad to the less fortunate on this day.

How to Conclude the Puja

  • Once the puja is complete, the lamps and diya are allowed to burn till they extinguish on their own.
  • The coconut from the Kalash can be consumed as prasad or used for cooking in the following days.
  • The Kalash water can be sprinkled around the house for blessings.
  • Leftover flowers and organic offerings should be respectfully returned to nature by either composting or immersing them in flowing water (like a river) or using them as natural fertilizer in your garden.

Prasad to be Prepared

  • Coconut Rice – Rice prepared with coconut shavings, spices, and ghee.
  • Sweet Pongal or Kheer – Made from rice, milk, jaggery, and cardamom.
  • Vada – Traditional savory item made from lentils.
  • Lemon Rice – Lightly spiced rice with lemon and turmeric.
  • Banana Halwa – A sweet dish prepared from bananas, ghee, and jaggery.
  • Use organic ingredients wherever possible for the preparation of these prasad items.

Mantras and Prayers

  • Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra:
    • "Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dheemahi, Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat"
  • Ashtalakshmi Stotram – To invoke the eight forms of Lakshmi.
  • Sri Suktam – Recited for invoking abundance and prosperity.

Importance of Varalakshmi Vratam

  • The Vratam is considered one of the most powerful forms of worship dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
  • It brings prosperity, material and spiritual wealth, and promotes harmony in the family.
  • It also teaches the importance of discipline, devotion, and the value of selfless service.

Handling of Puja Leftovers (Eco-Friendly)

  • Flowers: After the puja, flowers can be used to make compost or simply left in gardens or natural water sources.
  • Water from Kalash: This water can be used to bless family members or sprinkled in the garden.
  • Coconut and Prasad: Consume the prasad or share it with friends, family, and those in need.
  • Non-consumable items: Biodegradable items like turmeric, kumkum, or leaves can be disposed of in a respectful and eco-friendly manner by composting them.

The worship of Varalakshmi is a revered practice that embodies the values of faith, devotion, and family. By using eco-friendly materials and offering simple yet meaningful puja, devotees can not only seek blessings for prosperity but also contribute to environmental sustainability.