In many Indian homes, especially in the southern states, Varalakshmi Vratam is considered one of the most sacred days of the year. It is a special festival where women pray for the health, happiness, and prosperity of their family. Though it is deeply rooted in Bharatiya tradition, today, even those living outside India – especially in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia – are observing this vratam with full devotion.
Thanks to online services and temple offerings like those from JyotirGamaya, this vratam can now be done from anywhere in the world.
What is Varalakshmi Vratam?
The word “Vara” means boon or blessing. “Lakshmi” is the Devi who brings wealth, food, courage, good children, success, and happiness. Varalakshmi is the form of Mahalakshmi who is believed to give boons easily when prayed to with faith.
This vratam is mostly done by women, especially married women, to seek blessings for the entire family. They pray for their husband’s long life, their children’s well-being, peace at home, and growth in their life.
In 2025, Varalakshmi Vratam falls on August 8 — a Friday during Shravana Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi, under Uttarashada Nakshatra.
The Story Behind the Vratam
There is a well-known story from the Skanda Purana. A woman named Charumati lived in Magadha (modern-day Bihar). She was very devoted to Dharma and was known for her service to her husband and family. She followed all household duties with sincerity and devotion.
One night, Devi Lakshmi appeared in her dream and told her to perform a special vrat on a Friday in the month of Shravana. Charumati followed the instructions, performed the puja with full faith, and something wonderful happened—her house became full of peace and prosperity. Other women in her village also did the vratam, and they too experienced good results. That’s how this vratam became a sacred tradition followed by many generations of women.
Eight Blessings of Varalakshmi
It is believed that this vratam gives the blessings of Ashta Lakshmi, or the eight divine forms of Lakshmi Devi:
- Dhana Lakshmi – Brings money and financial strength
- Dhanya Lakshmi – Blesses with food, crops, and nourishment
- Veera Lakshmi – Gives courage and mental strength
- Santana Lakshmi – Protects children and blesses with offspring
- Vijaya Lakshmi – Helps in achieving success in life
- Aishwarya Lakshmi – Brings good fortune and comfort
- Gaja Lakshmi – Represents royal grace and power
- Adi Lakshmi – Is the original energy that supports spiritual growth
Women perform this vratam not only for wealth, but also for health, harmony, good relationships, and mental peace.
How the Vratam is Done
The rituals are simple but full of meaning. On the day of the vratam, women wake up early, clean their house, take a head bath, and decorate the puja place. A Kalasha (a copper or silver pot) is prepared. This kalasha is filled with rice, coins, turmeric, betel nut, and water. Mango leaves are placed at the mouth of the kalasha, and a coconut is kept on top.
The kalasha is then decorated like Devi Lakshmi — with a saree, jewellery, bindi, and flowers. The woman then chants Lakshmi’s 108 names (Ashtottaram), offers naivedyam (food), and prays for her family.
Other women are invited, and haldi-kumkum is shared. After the puja, the sacred thread is tied to the right hand as a symbol of protection and blessing. The fast is usually broken after evening prayers.
Challenges Faced by NRIs
Many people who have moved to other countries feel a gap. They want to follow these traditions, but life abroad can be different. Festivals may fall on working days, and time zones can make it hard to join family celebrations in India. There may not be temples nearby, or elders who can guide the proper rituals.
Also, getting all the items needed for puja like mango leaves, fresh coconuts, or specific flowers can be difficult. The feeling of doing a proper vratam often gets lost in a foreign setting. Many women feel sad or disconnected during such festivals.
Online Sevas Are Bringing Devotion Home
To help with these challenges, platforms like JyotirGamaya are offering online Varalakshmi Vratam Sevas. These are done in traditional temples in India by learned priests. Devotees from anywhere in the world can book the seva online and have it performed in their name.
Even if someone lives in Canada or Singapore, their name and gotra will be taken during the Sankalpa before starting the puja. The devotees receive a recorded video of the puja, and prasadam is sent to their home (where shipping is allowed).
The feeling of being part of the tradition is now possible, no matter where one lives.
Types of Sevas Offered
At JyotirGamaya, there are three main options for devotees:
- Shri Mahalakshmi Mahapuja
- Includes: Panchamrut Abhishekam, Vishesha Alankaram, Archana, Naivedya, and Maha Mangalaarti
- Good for attracting abundance, peace, and spiritual blessings
- Kumkum Archana and Maha Mangalaarti
- Simple yet powerful seva that enhances divine feminine energy and brings harmony to relationships
- Bhagina Offering to Five Sumangalis
- A traditional practice of offering items like bangles, blouse cloth, haldi-kumkum, fruits, and tamboolam to married women
- Brings blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and promotes family happiness
These sevas are done on the correct muhurta with full Vedic procedures. Everything is handled by the temple team so that you can focus only on devotion.
Holding On to Dharma
In today’s modern life, many traditions are slowly fading, especially when we live far from our home culture. But rituals like Varalakshmi Vratam keep us grounded. They teach us gratitude, discipline, and the power of prayer.
Thanks to modern tools and dedicated platforms, we now have ways to keep our dharmic path alive — even in a fast-paced, global world.
Whether you are in India or abroad, you can still invite the blessings of Devi Varalakshmi into your life. All it takes is a little faith and a wish to stay connected with our roots.
Book your seva and receive divine blessings this Varalakshmi Vratam:
https://jyotirgamaya.online/pujas/shri_varalakshmi_vratam_seva
Let your devotion travel across time and space.
Let Devi Lakshmi fill your home with peace and prosperity.
