Celebrating Varamahalakshmi Festival: Traditions, Significance & Rituals

Varamahalakshmi Festival is one of the most auspicious and revered occasions in South India, especially in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It is celebrated on the Friday before the full moon day in the Hindu month of Shravan, honoring Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and well-being.

Significance of Varamahalakshmi Vratam

The word “Varamahalakshmi” combines "Vara" meaning “boon” and "Mahalakshmi", the goddess who grants wishes and wealth. Married women perform this vratam for the well-being of their family, husband, and children. It is believed that worshipping Lakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping the Ashtalakshmi — the eight forms of Lakshmi.

Traditional Rituals & Puja Process

• Kalasha Sthapana: A sacred pot (kalasha) is decorated and placed on a rice mound as a symbolic representation of the goddess.
• Decorations: Women adorn themselves with new sarees, jewelry, and mehendi while decorating their homes with flowers and rangoli.
• Puja: The puja involves chanting Vedic mantras, offering fruits, sweets, coconut, and betel leaves to the goddess.
• Thamboolam Exchange: Women exchange gifts and thamboolam (betel leaf set), wishing prosperity for one another.

Modern Celebrations & Social Sharing

With evolving times, devotees also share their celebrations on social media, creating a virtual community of faith and festivity. Despite modern changes, the essence of the vratam — devotion, discipline, and hope — remains timeless.

Conclusion

The Varamahalakshmi Festival continues to unite millions of devotees in a shared spirit of prayer, celebration, and togetherness. May the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi bring peace, wealth, and happiness to all.