https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Mahalakshmi_VrataMahalakshmi Vrata - Revision history2026-07-31T00:06:28ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Mahalakshmi_Vrata&diff=314762&oldid=prevUpdateBot at 12:49, 29 October 20212021-10-29T12:49:55Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Refimprove|date=August 2017}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}<br />
{{Hinduism}}<br />
'''Mahalakshmi [[Vratha]]''' or '''[[Varalakshmi Vratam]]''' is a sacred day in [[Hinduism]]. The ceremony is performed by men or women (typically married Hindu ladies) on the Friday before the full moon in the month of [[Shravana]] in the [[Hindu calendar]] (corresponding to August/September in the western calendar). Those who cannot perform it on that day, can do it on any other Friday in that month. This is an important ''Vratha'', meaning a vowed religious observance in [[Sanskrit]]. Varamahalakshmi Vratham is performed more commonly in the southern Indian states of [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and also in parts of [[Maharashtra]] and [[Odisha]]. The 2017 dates were 17 August - 12 September.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.templepurohit.com/festival/mahalakshmi-vrat/|title = Mahalakshmi Vrat 2018 - Hindu Festivals & Calendar &#124; TemplePurohit}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Belief==<br />
''[[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]]'' is performed by men or married women to seek the blessings of the goddess [[Mahalakshmi]], wife of Lord [[Vishnu]], who is considered to be the abode of wealth and prosperity.<br />
<br />
==The Legend==<br />
There is a legend that says that this ''vratam'' was recommended by Lord [[Shiva]] to his wife [[Parvati]] to gain wealth and prosperity. There is also another legend that tells of a very pious lady [[Charumati]] who was asked by the goddess [[Lakshmi|Varalakshmi]], in her dream, to do the ''vratam'' in order to fulfill her wishes. She performed the ''vratam'' along with other ladies in her village with great devotion. They offered the [[deity]] many delicacies and once the ''vratam'' was completed, they were amazed to find their bodies decked with expensive jewels and their homes full of riches. From then on, women started performing this ''vratam'' every year seeking wealth and prosperity in their families.<br />
<br />
==Rituals==<br />
On the day of Varalakshmi vratam, women clean their homes and decorate their front yards with [[rangoli]]s (colorful designs traced on the floor). Later, they take a bath and deck themselves with beautiful clothes and jewellery. They then begin the process of performing the ''vrata'' by first arranging the ''kalasha'' or sacred pot. They fill the pot with rice and water which symbolize prosperity and cover it with [[mango]] and [[betel]] leaves. They then place a [[coconut]] smeared with [[turmeric]] and [[vermilion]] on the kalasha and decorate the coconut with a new cloth. Some people decorate the kalasha with jewels to make it look more beautiful. They place this kalasha on a plate filled with rice.<br />
<br />
The main ''puja'' begins by worshiping Lord [[Ganesha]], who is believed to drive away all obstacles and evil forces. Later, goddess Mahalakshmi is invoked into the kalasha. They then worship a couple of torams (a bunch of nine threads with nine knots) and tie one to the kalasha while the other one is tied around the right hand wrist of the woman performing the pooja. Later, they chant the ''Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamam'' (a list of hundred and eight names in praise of the deity). They then offer the goddess nine varieties of delicacies including sweets and savories. In conclusion of the ''vratam'', they sing hymns in praise of goddess Varalakshmi and invite another married woman assuming her to be goddess Varalakshmi and offer her sweets. That evening, they invite all the neighbor women to their homes and offer them tamboolam, an offering consisting of betel leaves, fruits, betel nuts, vermilion, turmeric and [[dakshina]] (money). They collectively sing songs in praise of goddess Varalakshmi.<br />
<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*[http://www.indif.com/nri Katha Aarti Mantra and Chalisa]<br />
*[http://www.odia.org Lakshmi Puran] in [[Odia language]]<br />
<br />
{{HinduFestivals}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hindu holy days]]<br />
[[Category:Vrata]]<br />
[[Category:August observances]]<br />
[[Category:September observances]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]</div>UpdateBot