Divine blessing: The sacred rituals of traditional Varalakshmi Vratam
Varlakshmi pooja is mainly celebrated in the Indian states of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. This pooja is dedicated to the goddess of Varalakshmi, one of the eight Ashta Lakshmis: Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Vidya Lakshmi. This is a traditional Hindu festival that is celebrated in the month of 'Sravana' (Aadi in the Tamil calendar and July to August in the Gregorian calendar). This Varalakshmi Vratham or pooja is precisely dedicated to the goddess of Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth). This pooja is prominently for the Hindu married woman; they perform the rituals for her husband's wealth and the health of her family. Offering prayer on this special day for her blessing is equal to worshiping the entire Ashta Lakshmi. The main motive of the celebration is to help people who are financially down in their lives. The story of Varalakshmi Vratham goes like this: a long time ago, a Brahmin lady called Charumathi always took good care of her husband, respected her in-laws, and worshiped the gods with wholeheartedness. Goddess Lakshmi was delighted and inspired by her devotion to her family and gods. So she appeared in her dream and asked her to perform the Varalakshmi Pooja in the month of Sravana. On the next morning, she shared the news about her dream with her husband and with her neighboring women. She took permission from her husband and in-laws to perform the rituals, so she offered other women to take part in the pooja. They were so happy and eagerly waited for the day to perform the ritual. On the day of Friday, Charumathi performed the pooja along with other neighboring women. After the completion of the pooja, when they returned to their home, they found it was filled with gold coins, golden chariots, and many other golden pieces of jewelry. Everyone thanked Charumathi for sharing her fortune with them. From that day on, people started to perform the Varalakshmi Vratham for their sustainable, wealthy lives.
PUJA VIDHI
A day before the pooja, the house is cleaned with water, and the god is kept in the entrance or in the preferred vasthu. The entrance of the home is decorated with Rangoli and a geometrical design drawn on the surface of the ground called mandalam.
On the next day, everyone wakes up at a special time called Braahma Muhurtam. They have a clean bath with pure water and wear the new, fresh, and clean outfits for Pooja. In the next step, a sacred pot called Kalasam is filled with grains and gold coins or normal coins, covered with mango leaves, and a full coconut with a tail. The tail was smeared with turmeric and kumkum to finish the poorna kumbham.
A cloth is tied around the kalasm after the swastika symbol is drawn on it using sandal paste and kumkum. Now Amman face is attached to the kalasam with decoration of bangles, flowers, new pavadai, neckles, and sowri (false plait). The completed kalasam is now transferred to the thambal with a banana leaf spread with rice. Everyone in the pooja breaks their fast by taking the Nivedhana Prasadam.
The pooja starts with essential items along with a sacred thread; it is worshiped and tied to the right hand of the women who are present at the pooja, and a turmeric thread is tied to the goddess. In the evening, every married woman is invited to the pooja to lead. Later that evening, chanting, hymns, and prayers are made to fulfill the pooja. After completing the pooja, the next day punarapuja is done after taking the bath, and the kalasam is dismantled and the rice in the pot is kept for regular usage.
The varalakshmi pooja is mainly celebrated for the wealthiness of a family by a married woman, but this celebration is born on the devotion of Charumathi's kindness for others and respect for her family.