Varamahalakshmi Vratam today: Varamahalakshmi or the goddess Lakshmi Puja is being celebrated on Friday, August 20 2021 this year. During the festival, as the name "Varamahalakshmi Vratam" suggests, women observe a stringent fast (vratam) for Goddess Varamahalakshmi, the one who grants boons (vara). On this day, devotees who keep faith in Varalakshmi, celebrate this festival with traditional Pooja Vidhanam popularly in the regions of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. This puja takes place every second Friday of Sravana Masam (July–August) Shukla Paksha (bright half of the lunar month).
Here are ten things to know about the significance of this puja and how it is celebrated across the country:
1. The Puja dates back to the Vedic age and is mainly performed by married women.
2. Indian mythology suggests that once when goddess Parvati asked for Lord Shiva's help to end people's pain, sorrow, and suffering, Lord Shiva shared the information about Varamahalakshmi Vratham and devotees started following this Vrat, thereby making this one of the most beneficial kinds of vrathams observed among Hindus.
3. It is believed that this Vrat will grant long life, financial blessings, and good health to the devotee's family and husband.
4. One devotee wrote on Twitter that Varamahalakshmi puja is performed by "women for their own well-being and that of all their family members". It is believed that worshipping the Goddess Varalakshmi on this day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmis (eight different forms of Lakshmi).
5. The word Vara in Varalakshmi means boons, which the goddess gives to her devotees who worship her on this day.
6. It is an important Hindu festival celebrated in the honour of Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu. Varamahalakshmi festival falls just a few days ahead of Rakhi and Shravana Purnima.
7. When the devotee of Goddess Lakhsmi Charumati offered prayers to the Goddess, it resulted in Goddess Mahalakshmi arriving in the dreams of Charumati and asking her to observe a fast called the Varamahalakhsmi Vratam. She followed her dreams and observed the fast, inviting her neighbors, friends, and relatives to seek the blessings of Goddess Varalakhsmi, as per reports.
8. Women pray to Goddess Lakhsmi by chanting Lakshmi Astotharam and Shatanamavali along with reading the story of this vratam.
9. Varamahalakshmi vratham is one of the most powerful observances since it has been narrated by Lord Shiva himself.
10. Married women also tie nine knots of yellow thread around their hands, and offer prasadams and jaggery to the Goddess.
Feature Image Credit: Twitter
Suggested Reading:
Papankosh Ekadashi. Know Its Meaning, History And Significance
Masik Shivaratri; Know Its Meaning, History And Significance
Parama Ekadashi. Know Its Meaning And Significance
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