Varalakshmi Vratam is kept on the Friday before the full moon of Sravana, the month Telugu women hold most sacred. Lakshmi as Varalakshmi, the giver of boons, is invoked in a decorated kalasam and worshipped at home by married women for the well-being of the whole family. To worship her on this day is said to equal worshipping all eight Lakshmis.
The story
The story read at the puja is of Charumati, a devoted wife in the town of Kundina. Lakshmi came to her in a dream and told her to keep this vratam on the Friday before the Sravana full moon. Charumati told her family and neighbours, they kept it together, and as they walked round the goddess their houses filled with wealth. Shiva tells the story to Parvati as the vow that brings a household everything it needs.
Sravana as a whole is Lakshmi's month. Its Fridays are hers, and its Tuesdays are kept by newly married women as Mangala Gowri Vratam.
పద్మాసనే పద్మకరే సర్వలోకైకపూజితే । నారాయణప్రియే దేవి సుప్రీతా భవ సర్వదా
Seated on the lotus, lotus in hand, worshipped by all the worlds, beloved of Narayana: goddess, be ever pleased
From the Varalakshmi puja
How the vratam is done
- The kalasamA pot of rice and water is topped with mango leaves and a coconut smeared with turmeric. A face of the goddess is fixed to it, and it is dressed in a sari and jewellery.
- The thoramA yellow thread of nine strands and nine knots is worshipped and tied on the right wrist.
- The offeringsPoornam boorelu, pulihora, garelu, senagalu and other dishes, often nine kinds in all.
- Vayanam and tamboolamIn the evening women visit one another and are given betel leaves, fruit, turmeric, kumkum, bangles and soaked chickpeas.
- If the day is missedAny other Friday of Sravana may be kept instead.
Why this date
Varalakshmi Vratam is tied not to a tithi but to a weekday: the Friday before the full moon (Pournami) of Sravana. When the full moon itself falls on a Friday, the vratam is kept on the Friday a week earlier.
Varalakshmi Vratam in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Friday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Friday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Telugu festivals
17 AugustRakhi Pournamiరాఖీ పౌర్ణమి
24 AugustSri Krishnashtamiశ్రీకృష్ణాష్టమి
14 JulyTholi Ekadasiతొలి ఏకాదశి
18 JulyGuru Pournamiగురు పౌర్ణమి
31 MayHanuman Jayantiహనుమజ్జయంతి
4 SeptemberVinayaka Chavithiవినాయక చవితి
Where to see Varalakshmi Vratam
In the Telugu states
- Padmavati Temple, TiruchanurAndhra PradeshThe vratam is performed for the goddess herself, with thousands of women taking part together.
- Kanaka Durga Temple, VijayawadaAndhra PradeshMass Varalakshmi Vratams are held on the hill on the Fridays of Sravana.
- Ashtalakshmi Temple, HyderabadTelanganaAll eight Lakshmis, whom the vratam is said to honour at once.
Across India
- Mahalakshmi Temple, KolhapurMaharashtraOne of the great seats of the goddess, a Shakti Peetha.
- GoravanahalliKarnatakaKarnataka keeps the day as Varamahalakshmi Vrata; this Mahalakshmi temple near Tumakuru is its busiest.
- Ashtalakshmi Kovil, ChennaiTamil NaduA temple of the eight Lakshmis on the beach at Besant Nagar.