Varamahalakshmi Vrata is a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (Vara). It is an important pooja performed by many women in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. The Hindu festival going by the name 'Vara maha Lakshmi Vrata' is celebrated on the Second Friday or the Friday before full moon day - Poornima in the month of Shravana, which corresponds to the Gregorian months of July–August.
Varamahalakshmi Vrata is performed by married women for the well-being of all the family members, especially the husband, to get progeny, etc. It is believed that worshiping Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshiping Ashtalaksmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Learning, Love, Fame, Peace, Pleasure, and Strength. Because of the popularity in some states of India, it is declared as an optional official holiday in India. The 2017 date is August 4.
History
In the Magadha of yore, there lived a Brahmin woman called Charumathi in a town named Kundera. The prosperous town was the home of Charumathi and her husband. Impressed by her devotion to her family, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to worship Vara-Lakshmi and seek to fulfill her wishes. Varalakshmi is yet another form of Lord Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The prayer/worship was prescribed to be offered on the Friday of Sravana month preceding the night of the full moon.
When Charumathi explained her dream to her family, she found them encouraging her to perform the pooja. Many other women of the village joined her in performing the pooja in a traditional way and offered many sweet dishes to the Goddess Varalakshmi.
Significance
Eight forces or energies are recognized and they are known as Siri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvathi (learning), Prithi (Love), Keerthi (Fame), Shanthi (Peace), Santhushti(Pleasure), and Pushti(Strength). Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus.
Vishnu is also called Ashta Lakshmi Pathi which is equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight-Lakshmis or forces. In fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe radiates these forces from him. These forces are personified and worshiped as Lakshmis since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. As health, wealth, and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to be to obtain these three. This festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husbands, and their children.
