Welcoming Abundance: The Sacred Tradition of Varalakshmi Vratam

padmaasane padma-kare sarva-lokaika-pujite,
narayanapriye devi suprita bhava sarvada

-Mahalakshmi-Ashtakam

“O Goddess, who is seated on a lotus and holds a lotus in her hand. Who is worshipped by the entire universe, and who is dearly beloved to Sri Narayan, may you always be pleased with me and bestow your grace”

With this sacred verse, millions of devotees welcome Goddess Varalakshmi into their homes during the sacred month of Shravan. Goddess Varalakshmi is a form of Ma Lakshmi. The name is derived from two words: Vara means ‘boon’ or ‘blessings’, and Lakshmi means the ‘Goddess of auspiciousness, beauty, well-being, abundance, and prosperity’. Thus, she is the manifestation of Lakshmi who generously grants wishes, blessings, and boons to her devotees. Varalakshmi vratam is the sacred festival that honours Goddess Varalakshmi.

Observing this auspicious fast with a pure heart opens the doorway to peace, happiness, and long-lasting family well-being. By filling your home with devotion, sacred mantras, and selfless prayers, you invite the divine mother’s eternal grace into every aspect of your life.

Step into our ultimate festive guide to discover the divine katha and inspiring legends to invite absolute abundance into your household this year.

Explore the blog below to begin your spiritual preparation!

Highlights of the blog:

• What is Ashta Lakshmi?
• Why is Varalakshmi Vratam observed?
• What is the divine katha associated with Varalakshmi Vratam?
• Why does Ma Mahalakshmi herself appear in Charumathi’s dream?
• Varalakshmi Vratam 2026 date and timing?
• What do we need to put inside the kalasam?
• What to Do with the Kalasam After Puja (Punah Puja & Immersion)
• How many days should we wear the toram?

What Is Ashta Lakshmi?

Ashta Lakshmi are eight divine manifestations of Ma Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and auspiciousness. The word Ashta means "eight." Together, these eight forms represent the full spectrum of wealth, moving beyond mere money to encompass health, knowledge, strength, lineage, and spiritual fulfilment. Following are the eight forms of Ma Lakshmi:

1. Adi Lakshmi (Primordial Spiritual Wealth)
2. Dhan Lakshmi (Financial Wealth)
3. Dhaanya Lakshmi (Food and Grains)
4. Gaja Lakshmi (Wealth of Power)
5. Santaan Lakshmi (Offspring and Family)
6. Veera or Dhairya Lakshmi (Courage and Perseverance)
7. Vidya Lakshmi (Knowledge and Wisdom)
8. Vijay Lakshmi (Success and Victory)

It is believed that material riches alone cannot bring true peace; a complete, happy life requires a balance of all eight divine blessings. Worshipping Goddess Varalakshmi during Varalakshmi Vratam is considered equivalent to worshipping the Ashta Lakshmis, because she is the embodiment of Soubhagya (auspiciousness).

Why Is Varalakshmi Vratam Observed?

Varalakshmi Vratam (or Varalakshmi Nombu) is observed to seek the blessings of Ma Varalakshmi. It's a prominent Hindu festival celebrated predominantly in South Indian states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, as well as parts of Maharashtra and Odisha. It is observed on the Friday immediately preceding the Purnima (full moon day) in the Hindu lunar month of Shravan (July or August).

Married women known as Sumangalis observe this vratam for their own and their family’s well-being, longevity, health, and prosperity.

What Is the Divine Katha Associated With Varalakshmi Vratam?

(Mahadev and Devi Parvati playing chaupar)

The Varalakshmi vrat katha traces its roots back to Mount Kailash. Once, Lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati played a game of dice (Chaupar), which soon led to a dispute over who had won. They called upon Chitranemi, a gana of Lord Shiv (one of his divine attendants at Kailash), to decide who won. Fearing his Lord’s defeat, Chitranemi falsely declared Lord Shiv the winner. Angered by his lie, Devi Parvati cursed him with Kushtha Rog (leprosy). Although scared, Chitranemi asked for forgiveness, asking Lord Shiv to help. Moved by this, the ever-compassionate Devi Parvati revealed that he would be freed from the curse when Apsaras (celestial nymphs) performed a sacred Vrat near a lake and wholeheartedly accepted him.

Chitranemi fell from the heavenly Mount Kailash to earth as a leper. While wandering, he reached a beautiful lake where he saw celestial nymphs worshipping. Chitranemi bowed to them and asked for a spiritual practice that could free him from the Goddess's curse. One nymph explained the supreme Shri Varalakshmi Vrat, which fulfils all desires. She described that devotees must observe this fast on the Friday of Shukla Paksh in the month of Shravan.
To prepare for the ritual, one should spread a layer of raw rice on the altar and place a Kalash (water-filled pot) directly on top of it. A golden idol of Ma Parvati is then placed over the pot and beautifully decorated with fresh leaves, clean cloth, and fruits. After an Abhishekam with Panchamrit (a blend of milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and sugar), sacred leaves are offered. Naivedyam is presented, including Payasam (sweet rice pudding) and twenty-one pieces of Apupa (sweet fried pancakes), including Payasam and twenty-one Apupa (Pua). Finally, the entire ritual is completed with sacred prayers and Aartis.

Following the Vrat, Chitranemi was completely cured of his leprosy. Excited to show his own deep devotion, he performed the complete worship himself and offered five Vayanas. Vayanas are the auspicious gift offerings presented first to Goddess Varalakshmi as naivedyam and then respectfully given to a Brahmin, an ascetic, a goddess, a celibate, and a married woman as a form of dana and as the Goddess’s prasadam. It includes bamboo pots, delicious sweets, grains, and money (Dakshina).

Upon completing his fast, Goddess Varalakshmi granted him Darshan and completely freed him from his suffering. When Chitranemi returned to Mount Kailash, he bowed before the divine couple. Devi Parvati welcomed him back with great love, and Lord Shiv promised that Chitranemi would enjoy divine pleasures on Kailash and ultimately reach Vaikuntha Loka. Lord Shiv noted that Goddess Parvati herself had once observed this Vrat to be blessed with her son, Lord Kartikeya, while King Vikramaditya performed it to regain his kingdom. This sacred story, recorded in the Bhavishya Puran, promises that anyone who observes this fast, reads the story, or listens to it with pure focus will enjoy earthly prosperity and eventually reach the divine realm of Shivpura.

Why Does Ma Mahalakshmi Herself Appear in Charumathi’s Dream?

(Ma Varalakshmi appeared in Charumathi’s dream)

The origin story of Varalakshmi Vratam is found in the sacred Skand Puran. It begins on Mount Kailash, where Devi Parvati asks Lord Shiv to share a simple ritual that women can perform on Earth to bring peace, health, and prosperity to their families. In response, Lord Shiv narrates the wonderful story of a devotee named Charumathi.

Charumathi lived in the town of Kundinapuram. She was a pativrata, a devout wife; a kind, gentle, and dutiful woman who served her husband and family with immense love and respect. Impressed by her pure heart and sincere devotion, Devi Mahalakshmi appeared in Charumathi’s dream one night. Introducing herself as Varalakshmi, the bestower of boons, the Goddess instructed Charumathi to observe a special vratam on the Friday just before the Purnima (full moon) in the sacred month of Shravan. The Goddess herself gives the ritual instructions in the dream:

• Decorate the home with torans and rangavalli or kolam (drawing geometric patterns on the floor)
• Establish a kalasham, especially in the east or north-east portion of the house.
• Worship Varalakshmi with offerings, flowers, lamps, sacred leaves, food offerings, and prayers.
• Tie the var-sutra, the sacred thread, on the right hand.
• Celebrate the day immersed in devotion, singing, and community participation.

Ma Mahalakshmi also said that performing this prayer with true faith would bring abundant happiness, wealth, and divine blessings to her household.
Charumathi woke up the next morning, shared her dream with her family and neighbours, and received their encouragement. When the day came, she and the other women prepared the altar and decorated the Kalasham. They filled the pot with rice and water, placed fresh mango leaves on top, and set a coconut on top. They tied a sacred yellow thread with nine knots around their wrists. With pure devotion, they offered simple home-cooked sweets, chanted prayers, and worshipped Goddess Varalakshmi.

The katha then describes Ma Mahalakshmi’s grace in symbolic and miraculous form. After the women completed their prayers, they received gold ornaments, abundance, prosperity, and happiness. Overjoyed by this divine event, the women thanked Charumathi for guiding them. Following this event, Varalakshmi vratam became an annual event in many households for women seeking harmony, good health, and long-lasting prosperity for their loved ones.

Varalakshmi Vratam 2026 Date and Timing?

Varalakshmi Vratam is observed on Friday, August 28, 2026, according to the Purnimanta panchang.

As per the Muhurat Shastra, the auspicious timing for Varalakshmi Puja is determined by Sthir Lagna (fixed ascendant), as it is believed to bring stable, long-lasting prosperity.

Auspicious muhurat for performing the Varalakshmi Puja:

Morning: Simha Lagna Puja Muhurat - 05:55 AM to 07:24 AM
[Duration - 01 Hour 30 Mins]

Afternoon: Vrishchika Lagna Puja Muhurat - 11:55 AM to 02:12 PM
[Duration - 02 Hours 17 Mins]

Evening: Kumbha Lagna Puja Muhurat - 06:01 PM to 07:31 PM
[Duration - 01 Hour 30 Mins]

Midnight: Vrishabha Lagna Puja Muhurat - 10:37 PM to 12:34 AM, Aug 29
[Duration - 01 Hour 57 Mins]

You can also seek Ma Mahalakshmi’s blessings by performing the Long Nitya Puja at Golden Palace in the Sadhana App

What Do We Need To Put Inside the Kalasam?

(Kalasam for Varalakshmi Vratam)

For Varalakshmi Vratam, the kalasam contents vary by family, region, and the vrata-paddhati that is being followed. In the copper, brass, silver, or steel pot, the items placed inside and around it symbolise life, purity, and spiritual abundance.

• At the base, the pot is filled with clean water mixed with a pinch of turmeric, kumkum, a coin, cardamoms, betel nut, cloves, a piece of Bhimseni Karpooram, and fragrant ingredients like sandalwood paste. Alternatively, dry rice grains mixed with a small piece of gold or a currency coin can be used.
• Around the mouth of the kalasam, place 5 or 7 fresh, undamaged mango leaves with their stems facing down.
• On top of the mango leaves, place a whole, unpeeled coconut smeared with turmeric and kumkum. Many devotees also put a face mask symbolising Ma Lakshmi along with flowers, jewellery, and a garland for decoration.

What To Do With the Kalasam After Puja (Punah Puja & Immersion)

The post-puja rituals are usually performed on the next morning (Saturday) or after evening prayers. A brief prayer is offered to thank Goddess Lakshmi by lighting a lamp and gently moving the Kalasham slightly toward the north. This signals the official conclusion of the Vratam. If the kalasham is filled with water, sprinkle it around all rooms of your home for positivity, and pour the rest at the base of a Tulsi plant or flowering tree. If the kalasham is filled with rice, then mix it into your home's regular rice container to distribute blessings throughout the year.

The Coconut: Break the coconut to make a sweet dish (like coconut Payasam or Laddoo) for your family, or use it in everyday cooking.

Mango Leaves & Sacred Thread (Toram): Tie the Toram around your wrist for protection and divine blessings. Leave the mango leaves at the front door frame until they dry out naturally.

How Many Days Should We Wear the Toram?

The Toram, Thoram or Nonbu Saradu, is the sacred yellow thread with five or nine knots, each knot representing a specific form or blessing of Goddess Lakshmi. It is typically worn based on family traditions. It can be worn on the right wrist for at least 3 days (until Sunday, when the altar is formally packed up) or up to 9 days (symbolising the 9 knots and forms of divine energy worshipped during the ritual). However, in many households, women choose to wear the Toram continuously until it naturally falls off or wears out over time as a long-lasting blessing. Some traditions keep the thread tied until the next year's Varalakshmi Vratam.

When you remove the thread, do not throw it in a dustbin. Instead, safely place it in natural running water or bury it under the soil near a sacred household plant (such as a Tulsi pot or a flowering garden plant).

Preparing for Varalakshmi Vratam is a journey of devotion, joy, and togetherness. True devotion lies not in the complexity of the ritual, but in the purity of the heart with which it is performed. As you offer your prayers to Goddess Varalakshmi, may your home be filled with laughter, your heart with peace, and your life with the abundant blessings of the Ashta Lakshmis. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, prosperous, and deeply blessed Varalakshmi Vratam!

*The images in the blog are representational and created using AI.