Varalakshmi Vratam celebrated with zest in the city

Mahalakshmi or Varalakshmi Vrata is a special vrata or fast dedicated to the Hindu Goddess ‘Mahalakshmi, Famous in the states of Andhra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and parts of Maharashtra, this vrata (fasting) is usually kept by married women and is performed on the last Friday of the bright fortnight of the moon’s cycle. It is generally performed in the Hindu month of Ashadha which corresponds to July/August of the English calendar. Varalakshmi Vrata shares some of its aspects with Karva Chauth, an important festival of women of northern India, As the name suggests Vara Mahalakshmi is the one who grants Vara (boon). In a larger sense, this festival also celebrates the essence of womanhood, the sanctity of a marital relationship and the grandeur of nature in her pristine form.

Mahan Lakshmi (or Great Lakshmi) or Varalakshmi Vrat is a very special vrat that bestows wealth, prosperity, fertility, courage, wisdom and success to the devotee. The 'eight roop' or eight aspects of Goddess Lakshmi are praised in the puja. Vishnu is also called Ashta Lakshmi Padhi which is equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight-Lakshmis or forces. It is believed that goddess Parvati recommended this puja to Chitranemi, a creation of Lord Shiva, to get rid of a curse given to him by her.

In Bhavishya Purana, one of the 18 major Puranas of ancient Hindu scriptures, there is a legend that explains the significance of Mahalakshmi Vrata. Lord Krishna recommended this vrat to the Pandavas after they lost everything in their gambles with the Kauravas. Krishna assured the five brothers that they would regain their kingdom, wealth, prosperity, family repute.

People celebrate the day with bhakti. Vasanth Goud, business man and social worker made very special arrangements as every year for this occasion. Working throughout the previous day until late at night, the family transformed the goddess into a spiritual wonderland. Decorated with the characteristic yellow sari adorned with a beautiful crown, sparkling jewels and a benign expression, the goddess looked really divine. The beautiful visage of goddess towering above the devotees, the women adorned in pattus singing aarti is a moment which takes you to a spiritual high.

“Four kinds of flowers are used – marigold, jasmine, mullai and winter jasmine. Roses and kadhambam too are used for decoration. These flowers are flown from Bangalore for this occasion. The asters remain fresh even for a year. The entire decoration took more than 14 hours and the goddess is decorated with gold and diamond jewellery. We get the jewellery especially designed for the idol. The agarbathies are imported from Kuwait. We continue the puja for three days,” says Goud.
The ritual of ‘haldi-kunkuma’ is very sacred and women pray for the well being of their families. After the vratam, women in the vicinity are invited for ‘Perantam' and are offered ‘Thambulam'.

Some Pandits believe that Varalakshmi Vratham can be observed by men also. According to a legend, Padmaksha Maharaj performed varalakshmi vratham and obtained a boon which assured him that he would have Lord Maha Vishnu himself as his son-in-law. A girl named Vedavati was born to him, who in her next birth manifested herself as Padmavathi Devi and married Lord Srinivasa, an incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu after observing this vrat .This ceremony recreates that divine act of transcendence, as well as delivers a valuable lesson on the impermanence of all things no matter how beautiful and dear to ones heart.

Lata Jain