Varamahalakshmi Festival 2025: Auspicious Date, Rituals & Significance

Varamahalakshmi Festival is one of the most important Hindu Festivals. Through religious and spiritual experiences, the festival also manifests social and cultural traditions and heritage. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and all her eight forms, or Ashta Lakshmi. The festival is observed in the month of Shravana, on the last Friday before Purnima or full moon. In the Georgian calendar, this festival is usually celebrated between July and August. 

Varamahalakshmi Puja is a popular festival in Southern India and is mostly performed by married women. A fast or vrat is kept by married women who pray for the prosperity and well-being of their family. However, the vrat is not restricted to married women alone; others can also perform the fast for spiritual growth. 

Varamahalakshmi Festival 2025 Date & Shubh Muhurats

Before we delve into the rituals and significance of the Varamahalakshmi Festival, let us shed light on the dates and shubh muhurats to celebrate this festival in 2025. 

Varamahalakshmi Vratham will be observed on 8th August, 2025. The best time for the muhurat is during the early mornings when there is peace and quietude. It is the perfect time to perform the pujas and rituals. The start and end timings for the tithi are:

The Puja timings and muhurats can further be classified:

Why Varalakshmi Vratham Matters

Varalakshmi Vratham is a religious observance and hence has a divine and spiritual significance for the Hindus and those who believe deeply in the benevolence of Goddess Lakshmi. Varalakshmi is a form of Mahalakshmi and quite literally translates into’ Lakshmi who grants boons.’ Born from the Kshir Sagar, she symbolises abundance, prosperity and purity. Devotees believe that Lakshmi brings happiness, wealth and fulfilment of desires. On Varalakshmi Vratnam, devotees worship the Ashta Lakshmis – Saraswati (Learning), Bhu (Earth), Sir (Wealth), Kriti (Fame), Priti (Love), Pushti (Strength), Tushti (Pleasure) and Shanti (Peace). 

The festival is considered one of the most sacred and revered, as devotees seek happiness, wealth, courage and all the virtues of the Ashta Lakshmis. Also, married women fast and perform pujas on this day with the main intent of praying for their families. Hence, this festival matters not only on a religious or spiritual level. But the prayers and rituals are also for the happiness and success of family and loved ones. 

The Preparations: On The Eve of Puja

On the eve of the Varalakshmi Festival, the main activities revolve around cleaning the house and making preparations for the puja on the following day. It is believed that the Goddess should be welcomed in a clean surrounding.

Also, there are some traditional preparations and requirements for the Varalakshmi Puja. On the eve of the festival, families make sure that items for the Puja are ready. For instance, the Kalasha or pot is one of the most important elements of the prayers. It is usually a bronze or silver pot, smeared with the paste of sandalwood. Mango leaves and a coconut are used to decorate the Kalasha.

Inside the pot, coins, turmeric, rice, lemon, betel leaves, a mirror and some other items (depending on regions and families) are placed. Also, other puja requirements include incense sticks, lamps, kumkum, flowers, turmeric, etc. Besides, the area in the house where the Kalasha will be placed is prepared by setting up a plank and putting rice on it. 

Many families also prepare rangolis or kollam at the entrance of the house to welcome the Goddess. On the eve of the festival, the idol of the Goddess is also prepared. Her saree, jewellery and other decorative items are put in place. In some homes, there is a small puja on the evening of Varalakshmi Vratam, where a lamp is lit and sweets are offered at the entrance of the house. 

Puja Day Rituals – A Step-by-Step Guide

The Varalakshmi Puja is similar to the Mahalakshmi Puja conducted during Diwali. However, there are a few differences in mantras and offerings. 

• Devotees wake up early and decorate the puja place with flowers, banana stems and rangolis. Many, especially women, are fasting on this day. 
• The Kalasham is decorated with saree and some use gold/silver/metal/clay face of Goddess Lakshmi tied to the Kalasham.
• During the muhurat or auspicious time, Kalasha Sthapana takes place. The women carry the Kalasha and tray to the place where the puja is to be conducted and invoke the deity.
• Next, Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali is followed by the Aarti and the tying of Dorak. Dorak is a sacred thread that is used during the puja ceremony. Devotees also offer Vayana or sweets as an offering to the Goddess.
• Mantras and shlokas are recited all throughout the puja. 
• Prasad is distributed to the family and friends. In some homes, gifts are also exchanged. 

In some traditions, the puja begins with the Ganesh Puja to help remove all obstacles. Also, women in certain regions, after the puja, tie a yellow thread to their wrists.

After the puja, the Kalasha is dismantled, and whatever is inside is distributed. However, traditions and exact rituals vary from region to region and also from home to home. It is best to consult elders or a priest for guidance. 

Regional Customs Across South India

Varalakshmi Vratam is more popular in Southern India compared to North India. It is celebrated with much fervour in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and also Maharashtra. 

The main intent of the puja is the same throughout all regions. However, there are slight variations in customs and rituals. The mantras, Kalash decorations, and types of food differ from region to region. 

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Varalakshmi Vratam is grand, where women usually gather in temples to perform the puja together. In Tamil Nadu, most pujas are at homes. Houses are decorated with kollam, and the tying of the sacred thread is an important and integral part of the ritual. 

In Karnataka, women focus on the well-being of their family during prayers. Exchange of gifts is a widely used practice. 

However, the main commonality amongst all regions and states is the date of the festival, the use of kalasha, offering of food to the Goddess and married women typically fasting and performing the puja. 

Spiritually and Socially Enriching Benefits

The spiritual and social benefits of Varalakshmi Puja are many. Most importantly, it is not possible to count the blessings and spiritual benefits of prayers. The puja and festival, which are performed with pure-heartedness and to seek spiritual and material bliss, calm the mind and soul. 

Socially, this festival brings the family and society closer together. Women fast for the prosperity and happiness of their husband and family. They also come together in some regions to perform the prayers together in temples. The homes and surrounding localities are cleaned and decorated with rangolis. Culturally, the preparation of traditional dishes, such as sweet pongal, lemon rice, payasam, vada, sundal, curd rice, fruits, etc., highlights the region’s and families’ heritage. The exchange of gifts, distributing prasadam and helping each other out in the preparations of the puja are great ways to bond for families and society at large. 

Tips for a Memorable Puja Experience 

Here are a few tips to help you make this Varalakshmi Vratnam a memorable experience

• Make a list of all the requirements for the puja and start ticking them off as and when you prepare them
• Consult the elders at home or a priest to make sure no item is missed and that you are familiar with the puja process
• Start cleaning the house a few days in advance to avoid tiredness and a hectic rush
• Eat well and stay hydrated on the previous day to ensure a seamless fasting ritual
• Wake up early on the day of puja, wear the traditional saree or attire and with devotion and purity, start the day
• Decorate the house and play devotional songs to spread love and positivity
• After the puja, distribute the gifts and prasad
• Do not remove the deity until Sunday

FAQs About Varamahalakshmi Festival