Few Things That You Must Know On This Day of Varalakshmi Vratham !!
Varamahalakshmi Vratham/Nombu is a festival to appease the Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Varalakshmi is one who grants boons (Varam). It is one of the important Festival celebrated by many women in the states like Tamilnadu, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. This festival is normally celebrated on the Second Friday or on the Friday that falls before the Full Moon Day (Pournami) in the month of Shravan (in Hindi) or Aadi (in Tamil).
Now the question is why Varalakshmi Pooja should be celebrated in the Month of Shravan or Aadi. Here goes the answer. The month Shravan is named after the Janma Nakshathira (Birth Star), of Lord Vishnu namely Shravana Nakshathira. So Shravana Month is the most favorite month for Lord Vishnu. So Goddess Mahalakshmi also worships the Lord during this month. She also thought that this month, which is auspicious for Her husband, would be the right time to worship Her as well. It is also believed that Her devotees would get the blessings of both the Lord Vishnu and the Goddess Mahalakshmi if they offer their prayers on this day.
There is also another interesting story behind this Varalakshmi Vratham. As per Hindu Mythology, in a town called Kundina, there lived a humble and kind nature Brahmin woman named Charumathi. She loved her husband and family very much. Impressed by her sincere devotion towards her family, Goddess Mahalakshmi came into her dreams one night. She asked her to perform the Varalakshmi Vratham. She also explained her the details and procedure of the pooja. That time, She mentioned that the Friday that falls just before the Aadi Pournami (Shravan Purnima) is the apt day for doing this Pooja.
Charumati woke up and told about the dream to her family. They took this matter in a positive way and encouraged her to proceed with the pooja. Charumati told about the pooja to her friends and neighbors and the word spread out in the town. Thus on that year, all the women from the town worshiped the Goddess Varalakshmi with their sincere dedication.
On this occasion, women worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion by offering sweets and flowers. Normally a Kalash (a metal Pot representing the deity) with a Coconut on the top of it will be decorated with a saree, flowers and gold jewelry and the offerings will be placed in front of the deity. It is believed that performing the Varalakshmi puja with the Kalash is equivalent to worshipping all the different forms of Lakshmi.
Now, you all would be wondering if there is any temple where this pooja will be celebrated in a grand manner. And the answer is surprising yes. As we all think, the Varlakshmi Pooja is not bound to do in houses alone. Tiruchanur Padmavathi Temple is the most noted temple for celebrating Varalakshmi Pooja in a very grand manner. The Tirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) does all the necessary arrangements in the temple to accommodate thousands of devotees. The pooja is celebrated as ‘Samuhika Varalakshmi Vratham’ – the mass observance where thousands of women perform this Vratham at a time in the same place. Nearly 1 Lakh devotees visit this temple on that day and seek the blessings of the Goddess Varalakshmi.
On this day, the Goddess Padmavathy Thayar will be decorated as Varalakshmi and She blesses Her devotees with happiness, wealth, and prosperity. Later in the evening, the Goddess will be taken out as procession on the top of Bangaru Rathnam (Golden Chariot) around the 4 Mada Veedis of Sri Padmavathy Thayar Temple, Tiruchanur. This divine event is being telecasted live by TTD’s SVBC TV Channel.
This pooja can be done with no restriction to caste or creed. So, on this day, many women observe this traditional festival by praying Varamahalakshmi for her blessings in the form of wealth and well being of their family.
