Imporance:

While there are various mythological beliefs prevailing, most believed schools of thoughts are:

Goddess Laxmi is worshipped in eight forms with different names. That is how Goddess is known as ASTHA LAXMI. The enlightened way of explanation to ASTHA LAXMI is a synonym for the eight vital forces or energies that mentioned here. These forces are known as Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvati (learning), Priti (love), Kirti (Fame), Santi (Peace), Tushti(Pleasure) and Pushti(Strength). The Prominent words we hear are: Sri Laxmi, Bhu Laxmi, Saraswathi etc. Which force can we afford to forego? All the above forces are part of our life.

However, in some other part of India, these eight names are referred to Aadilaxmi, Dhyana Laxmi,Dhairya Laxmi, Gaja Laxmi, Santana Laxmi, Vijaya Laxmi, Vidya Laxmi, Dhana Laxmi.

Yet another part of our country interpretation of Goddess Varalakshmi is in two ways. Varalakshmi – The one who grants boons, and another, she is the Goddess who is invited into the home and honoured for various benefits. The different types of benefits that accrued by Varalakshmi puja are "dhan" (money), "dhanyam" (grains or food), "arogyam" (health), "sampath" (property), "sathsanthanam" (virtuous offspring) and "dheerga saumangalyam" (longevity of the husband).

In one of the prominent hymns “Sri Suktham”, Deity Laxmi is described as: “Shuddha Laxmi, Moksha Laxmi, Jaya Laxmi, Saraswathi, Srirlaxmi, Varalaxmi”

Varalakshmi puja is considered to be equivalent to worshipping of all the different forms of Lakshmi “ASTHA LAXMIs”

How it started?

In a vast sub-continent like India, which is full of Diversity in Unity and Unity in Diversity, we all hindus believe in GOD. While aiming to pray the almighty, we have our own beliefs in order to convince our own self for what we are performing.

One thing we all agree upon is, varalaxmi vratha is described by saint sootha adressing ‘sounaka’ and other saints, and briefed about a vratha that was explained to goddess Parvathi by ‘lord siva’ called vara lakshmi vratha.

Belief in Northern parts of India:
On one occasion, Parvati and Parameswara were engaged in a game of chess. Parvati was winning game after game, but Parameswara is said to have claimed the victory at each games, wantonly, to her intense chagrin. So Parvati wanted to have an umpire and one Chitranemi, a creation of Parameswara, was chosen. As an underling of Parameswara, he sided with him most unjustly. This provoked Parvati's anger and she cursed Chitranemi that he should become a leper for discharging his duty in most unfair manner.

When Chitranemi begged Parvati's forgiveness and Parameswara added his entreaties to it, she is said to have relented and modified the curse by adding that he would be cured of his leprosy by observing the Vara Lakshmi Vrata. By doing this Chitranemi was, it is said, rid of the loathsome disease.

Belief in Southern India:

One day on mount kailash Parvathi asked lord siva to tell about a vratha which gives all fortunes and prosperities to ladies. Lord siva replied parvathi that varalakshmi vratha is one and only vratha which will give all prosperities to the devotees

Pooja Vidhi:

Vinayakapooja:
After taking oil bath (Head Bath) wear new clothes and start pooja namaskar to relevant god bay saying ome sri ganadhipathiyainamaha utthishtanthu bhootapisaachaha ethey bhoomi bhaarakaha yethesha mavirodhena brhmakarma samaarabhey Take some water and akshatas sprinkle over the place of pooja. put a plank at the place and decorate the plank with ashtadhalapadma by riceflour. then put pan leaf in the plate having rice on the plank then sidhiviniyaka place on the pan leaf decorate kukum. Sit before the god facing east wards and then light oil lamp at nairuthi said (south west) Take akshatas smell it and put it back side of one’s seat show dheep saying dheepam dharsayaami. Sri maha ganadhipathiyai namaha namaskarasmarpayaami gajaanaayanamaha dhupamsamarpayami. Ome yekadantaayanamaha pushpam samarpayaami vakarathundayanamaha gandhamsamarpayaami herambhaayanamaha patram samarpayaami lambhodharaayanamaha naivedyam samarpayaami. Poojantaram namasakaram samarpayaami

1. ome sumukhayanamah
2. yakadantaya
3. kapilaya
4. gajakarnaya
5. vikataya
6. vighnarajaya
7. ganadhipaya
8. dhumaketaye
9. ganadhyakshaya
10. palachandraya
11. gajananaya
12. vakrathundaya
13. surpakarnaya
14. harambaya
15. skandapurvajaya
16. sarvasiddhipradhayakaya

Varalakshmi Vratha Kalpam
sri maha Ghanaadhi pathayenamaha.
Aachamya (take three sips of water) ome keshavayanamaha… ome Narayanayanamaha….. ome madhavayanamaha….

SAMKALPAM: Mama upaatha durithakshaya dwara sri parameswara preethyardham aadya Brahmanaha dwthiyaparardhe swethavaraha kalpe vyvaswithamanvantharae kaliyuge pradhama paadey KRAUNCHA dveepe RAMANAKA varshe INDRA khande, meroh paschima paarswa dese, Uttara Amerikaayaam, Mississippi, Missouri, Ilinee Maha nadiyormadhye, Raachini, Maachini parvathayormadhye, (California) Pattane, (San Francisco) graame, asmin varthamana vyvaharika chandramaanena SARVAJIT naama samvatsarae DAKSHINA Aayane VARSHA rhuthow SRAVANA Maasey, SHUKLA Pakshey, EKADASHI thidhow BRUGU vaasarey VARALAKSHMI VAASARE subha nakshatrae subha yogae subha karana yevam guna viseshana visishtaayaam subha thidhow ….. sri matyaha (name) Gotravathyaha ……… sabhatrukayah asmaakam saha kutumbaanaam kshema, sthairya vijayaayurarogya iswaryabhi vrudhyardham dharmardha kaama moksha chaturvidha phala purushardha sidhyardham satsanthaana sowbhaghya phala vyaphtardhyam srivaralakshmee devatha muddhisyae sri varalakshmi devatha preetyardham karpoktha vidhanena yavathchakti dhyanaavahanaadhi shodashopachaara poojaam karishye thadanga sri mahaaganapati poojam karishye thadanga kalasa poojaam karishye

Sankalpam for amricans.......Coming Soon................................................

(take a vessel and decorate with sandal and kunkum and pour water, some akshata, and flowers in it) cover kalasa (the sacred vessel) with right hand and say the following sloka.
Kalasasya mukhey vishnuhu kanthey
Rudra samasritaha muley tatrasthitho
Brahma madhye maatru Ganaasmrutah
Kukshowthu saagaraa sarve saptha dveepaa
Vasundharaa rughvedodha yajurvedaha saamavedo
Hyadharvanaha angaischasahithaha
Sarve kalasaambu samaasritaaha
Aayaastu sri varalakshmi poojaardham durithakshyakaarakaaha

Slokam:
Kalyani kamalanilaye kaamithaartha pradaayini
yaavatvaam poojaishyami shubhadey sustirabhava
Adha dhyanam

Salute:
Padmaasaney padmakarey sarvalokaika poojite
narayana priye devi supreethow bhava sarvada
ksheerodhaarnava sambhoote kamaley kamalalaye
sustira bhava mey gehey suraasura namaskrute

Welcome:
Sarvamangala mangalye vishnu vaksha stalaalaye
aavaahayaami devitvaam supritha bhava sarvada
sri varalakshmeem aawaahayaami

Offering Simhasanam:
Suryaayuta nibhaspoorte spuradratna vibhushite
simhaasana midam devigruhatyaam surapoojite
sri varalakshmi ratna simhaasanam samarpayaami

Offering Arghyam:
Suddhodakamcha pratastam gandha pushpaadi misritam
argyam dhaasyamite devi gruhyataam harivallabhe
sri varalakshmi arghyam samarpayaami

Offering Padyam:
Suvaasita jalam ramyam sarvatheertha samudhavam
Paadyam gruhana devitvam sarvadeva namaskrute
sri varalakshmi padyam samarpayaami

Offering Achamaneeyam:
Suvarna kalasaaneetam chandanaagarusamyutam
gruhanachamanam devi mayaadattam subhapradey
sri varalakshmi achamaneeyam samarpayaami

Offering Panchamrutha Snanam:
payodhadhi gruthopetam sarkara madhu samyutam
panchamrutam snamidam gruhana kamalaalaye
sri varalakshmyi panchamruta snaanam samarpayaami

Offering Suddhodaka Snanam:
Gangajalam mayaaneetam maha deva sirastitam
suddhodhadaka snanamidam gruhana parameswari
sri varalakshmi suddhodaka snaanam samarpayaami

Offering Vastrayugmam:
Suraarchitangri yugalendukula vasanapriye
vastrayugmam pradaasyaami gruhaana surapoojite
sri varalakshmi vastrayugmam samarpayaami

Offering Aabharanam:
Keyurakankana devi haara noopura mekhala
vibhukshananya mulyaani gruhaana rushi poojite
sri varalakshmi abharanaam samarpayaami

Offering Manglyam:
Tapta hemakrutam devi mangalyam mangalapradam
mayaa samarpitam devi gruhaanatvam subha pradey
sri varalakshmi mangalyam samarpayaami

Offering Gandham:
Karpooraagaru kasturi rochanaadi susamyutam
gandham daasyaamitey devi svikurushva subha prade
sri varalakshmi gandham samarpayaami

Offering Akshitas:
Akshaataan dhavalaan divyaan saliyaan thandulaan subhaan
haridra kunkumopetaan svikurushvaabdhi putrikey
sri varalakshmi akshitaan samarpayaami

Offering Pushpam:
Mallika jaaji kusumai schampakai rvakulairapi
setapatraischa kalhaaraihi poojayaami haripriye
sri varalakshmi pushpaani samarpayaami 

 Astotthara sata pooja
Ome - namaha

Ome Prakrutyi namaha sukhayai hari vallabaaye
Vikrutiyai dhanyayai asokaayai
Vidhya yai hiranmaye deepthayai
Sarva bhooshitha hithapradaayi lakshmyi loka soka vinaasinyai
Sraddhayai nitya pustaye amrutayai
Vibhutyai vibhavaryai dharmanilayai
Surabhyai adityai karunayai
Paramatmakayai dityai loka matrey
Vaache deeptaaye padmapriyayai
Padmalayai kaanthaayai padmakshya
Padmayai kaamaakshe padmahastayai
Suchaye krodhasambhavayai padmasundaryai
Vishnu patnai anugrahayai padmorbhavaayai
Swahayai buddhayai padmamukai
Swadhaayai anaghayai padmanaabhapriyayi
Ramaayai padmamaaladharayai punyaghandhaayai
Suprasannai prabhayai chandravadanaayai
Chadraayai chandrasahodariye chaturbhujaayai
Chandraroopaayai indiraaye induseetalaayai
Ahladajananyai pustai sivayai
Sivakaryai satvai vimalaayai
Viswajananyai thustayai daaridranaasinyai
Preetipushkarinyi saantayai sukla maalaambayai
Sriyai vasudhaarinye kamalaaya
yasasvinai vasundharai udharaangaayai
Hiranyai hemamaalinyai dhanadhaanakarthye
Siddhaye sthrainasowmyaayi subha pradaayai
nrupavesmagataanada narayanasamayi vasu pradaayai
Devyai padminyai padma gandhinyai
Subhayai hiranya praakaarayai samudra tanayayi
Jayayai mangalayai devyai
Vishnu vakshasthalayai prasannayi narayanasamasritayai
Dhaaridradvamsinyai bhaskaryai bilvanilayayai
Varaarohiyai devyi sarvopadravaniva
Hiceanyai navdurgaayi brahmmavishnu sivatmakayai
Trikaalagnyaanasampadaayai bhuvaneswaryai sri varalakshmi nama


Offering Dhupam:
dasaangam guggulopetam sugandancha manoharam
dhoopam dasyaami devesi gruhana kamala priye
sri varalakshmi dhupamagrapayami.

Offering Deepam:
Ghrutavarthi samayuktham andhakaara vinaasakam
deepam daasyaamithe devi gruhaana mudhitaabhava
sri varalaksmi deepam darsayaami

Offering Naivedyam:
Naivedyam sadrasopetham dhadhi madvadjya samyutam
naana bhaksya phalopetam gruhaana hari vallbhey
sri vara lakshmi naivedyam samarpayaami

Offering Tambulam:
Phugee phala samaayuktam nagavalli dalairyutam
karpura choorna samyuktham thaambulam prathi gruhyataam
srivaralkshmi tambulam samarpayami

Offering Neerajanam:
neerajanam samaanaetam karpoorena samanvitham
thubhyam dhasyaamaham devi gruhyataam Vishnu vallabhey
sri varalakshmi neerajanam samarpayami

Offering Pushpam:
Padmaasane padma karey sarva lokyka pujite
narayana priye devi supritha bhava sarvada
Sri varalakshmi mantra pushpam samarpayaami

Offering Pradakshina:
Yaanikaanichapapaani janmantara krutanicha
tanitani pranasyanthi pradaskshina padhepadhe
papoham papa karmaham papatma papasambhava
thraahimaam krupaya devi saranaagata vatsaley
anyada saranam nastitwameva saranam mama
Tasmaath karunya bhaavena raksha raksha janaardhani
sri varalakhmi pradakshina namaskaaram samarpayami

Offering Namaskaram:
Samasta loka janani namsthe Vishnu vallabhey
Pahimaam baktha varadhey varlakshmi devi namonamaha
Sri varalaksmi namaskaraam samarpayami

Thorapooja: thoram is a sacred thread with nine mini threads dipped in turmeric powder which comprises nine knots. Flowers are tied in these knots. The thora is placed at the feet of goddess lakshmi and pooja is to be performed to it Naamas :
1. kamalayainamah pradhama grandhim poojayami (for first knot)
2. ramayainamaha dvitiya grandhim poojayami (for second knot)
3. lokamathrenamaha thruthiya grandhim poojayami (for third knot)
4. viswajananinamaha chatudrha grandhim poojayami (for fourth knot)
5. varalakshminamaha panchama grandhim poojayami (for fifth knot)
6. ksheerabditanayanamaha shashta grandhim poojayami (for sixth knot)
7. viswasakshinyinamaha sapthama grandhim poojayami (for seventh knot)
8. Chandrasodariyinamaha ashtama grandhim poojayami (for eighth knot)
9. varalakshminamaha navama grandhim poojayami (for ninth knot)

Note: (the thora is to be tied to the right hand by saying the below sloka )

Sloka: Badhmami dakshinahastai navasutram subhapradam putrapoutrabhivruddhincha soubhagyam dehimeramae

Note: (Vayanam is to be given by saying the following sloka)
(vayanam consists bengal grams, fruits and prasadam)
Sloka:
Indiraprathigruhnatu indiravaidathicha indiratharakobabhyam indhirayai namonamaha

Note: (By keeping some akshitas in hand vratha katha is to be read)

Varalakshmi Vratha Katha

By Varalakshmi amrutavakkula & Ramakrishna Payidipalli