Every year, in the Shravan (Saawan) month i.e. the monsoons, on the Friday preceding the full moon night i.e. Purnima, married women in South India, Maharashtra and Orissa observe the Varalakshmi Vratham. This year the Varalakshmi Vrat 2017 falls on Friday 4th of August i.e. tomorrow. The fasting and worshipping are done mainly by the married women for the life of their husband, health, happiness, wealth, etc.
Married women on this day fast till the end of the Pooja in the evening. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi is commemorated and it is popular belief that fasting and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day is equal to worshipping 8 of her avatars i.e. goddess of Wealth (Shri), Earth (Bhu), Learning (Saraswati), Love (Priti), Fame (Kirti), Peace (Shanti), Pleasure (Tushti) and Strength (Pushti) and so whoever fasts and worships on this day, Goddess Lakshmi grants her all the boons that she desires in life.
As the legend goes, the story behind this festival was narrated by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvathi. According to this, the story is set in a beautiful town that goes by the name of Kundinagram located in the Vidharba Rajyam (Kingdom). The story proceeds with a woman, Charumathi who pleased Goddess Adilakshmi with her devotion and worship and appeared in the woman’s dream asking her to perform the Vrata (fast) in order to fulfil her desires. Charumathi did as told with utmost devotion and not only her desires were fulfilled but she also led a happy life. Since then, married Hindu women have been performing this Vrata.
Varalakshmi Vrat 2017 is tomorrow and women across these South Indian states will dress up traditionally to mark the occasion and fast to get the blessing of Lakshmi Ma!