Varalaxmi Vratham 2026: Muhurat, Significance, Puja Rituals, and Mantras
Varalaxmi Vratham, a cherished Hindu festival, is a sacred vow dedicated to Goddess Varalaxmi, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity, and well-being. Celebrated predominantly by married women in South India, this vrat is observed with immense devotion to seek blessings for the longevity, health, and happiness of their families—particularly their husbands and children.
Also known as Varamahalakshmi Puja or Varalakshmi Nombu, this festival holds deep spiritual and cultural significance in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. In 2026, the festival will be celebrated on Friday, 28 August 2026, marking a day of devotion, joy, and prosperity.
This article explores the Muhurat, significance, puja rituals, and sacred mantras for Varalaxmi Vratham 2026—offering a complete guide for devotees to celebrate with reverence and faith.
🌸 What is Varalaxmi Vratham?
Varalaxmi Vratham is a sacred observance where devotees undertake a vow (vrata) to worship Goddess Varalaxmi, believed to grant boons (varam) of prosperity, wisdom, and harmony. The term “Vara” means boon, and “Lakshmi” refers to the goddess of wealth, making Varalaxmi the bestower of divine favors.
According to legend, a virtuous woman named Charumathi from Magadha once had a divine dream in which Goddess Lakshmi instructed her to perform this vrat to gain prosperity and family well-being. When she observed the ritual, her family was blessed abundantly.
Another story describes Goddess Parvati performing this vrat upon Lord Shiva’s suggestion for her family’s prosperity. Since then, it has been observed by married women on the second Friday of Shravana month (or the Friday before Poornima).
In Tamil Nadu it is called Varalakshmi Nombu, and in Karnataka Varamahalakshmi Puja, uniting devotees across regions in their quest for divine blessings.
📅 Varalaxmi Vratham 2026: Date and Muhurat
- Date: Friday, 28 August 2026
- Month: Shravana Shukla Paksha (Friday before Poornima)
🕉️ Puja Muhurat Timings (Indicative)
(based on Indian Standard Time; local timings may vary)
| Lagna | Time | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Simha Lagna (Morning) | 06:21 AM – 07:48 AM | Best time for early morning puja |
| Vrischika Lagna (Afternoon) | 12:14 PM – 02:30 PM | Suitable for midday rituals |
| Kumbha Lagna (Evening) | 06:21 PM – 07:54 PM | Perfect for family evening puja |
| Vrishabha Lagna (Night) | 11:50 PM – 01:45 AM (Aug 29)** | Optional night observance |
These auspicious ascendants (lagnas) are considered ideal to invoke Goddess Varalaxmi’s grace. Choose the slot most convenient for your family and confirm with your local panchang or temple priest for precise regional muhurat.
💫 Significance of Varalaxmi Vratham 2026
Varalaxmi Vratham symbolizes gratitude, faith, and feminine energy. Worshipping Goddess Varalaxmi is equivalent to worshipping all eight divine forms of Lakshmi—known as Ashta Lakshmis:
- Aadi Lakshmi – Spiritual strength
- Dhana Lakshmi – Wealth and fortune
- Dhairya Lakshmi – Courage and valor
- Sowbhagya Lakshmi – Good fortune
- Vijaya Lakshmi – Victory and success
- Dhanya Lakshmi – Food and nourishment
- Santana Lakshmi – Progeny and fertility
- Vidya Lakshmi – Wisdom and learning
Through this vrat, devotees seek holistic blessings—material abundance, peace of mind, and family harmony.
Culturally, the vrat strengthens familial bonds and highlights women’s role as spiritual anchors of the home. Community celebrations bring women together to exchange thamboolam and prayers, fostering joy and unity.
🪔 Preparation for Varalaxmi Vratham
Preparations begin on Thursday (Aug 27, 2026), setting the stage for sacred celebration.
🏡 Pre-Puja Arrangements
- Clean the house and purify the puja area with Gangajal.
- Decorate the entrance and altar with kolam (rangoli) and flowers.
Gather all puja materials:
- Idol or image of Goddess Varalaxmi
- Kalasha (pot) filled with rice, coins, betel nuts, and topped with a coconut & mango leaves
- Red cloth, flowers, turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste, incense, ghee diya
- Fruits, sweets (laddu, payasam, vadai)
- Thamboolam items – betel leaves, areca nuts, bangles, turmeric, yellow thread (dorak)
Women wear traditional sarees in red or yellow, signifying auspiciousness. Invite family and friends to participate, creating a communal spirit of devotion and joy.
🕉️ Step-by-Step Puja Rituals (Varalaxmi Vratham Vidhi)
- Purification & Setup: Sprinkle holy water, set up the Kalasha with rice and coins, and draw a swastika symbol.
- Ganesha Puja: Begin with prayers to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles.
- Invocation: Invoke Goddess Varalaxmi into the Kalasha or idol, chanting sacred verses.
- Offering (Upachara): Offer sandal paste, kumkum, flowers, and jewelry to the deity.
- Naivedyam: Present cooked food—especially sweet dishes like pongal or payasam.
- Chanting: Recite Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names) or Lakshmi Sahasranamam.
- Dorak Ritual: Tie the sacred yellow thread on your right wrist for divine protection.
- Aarti: Perform aarti while singing “Om Jai Lakshmi Mata.”
- Distribution: Share prasadam and thamboolam with guests and neighbors.
- Conclusion: Sprinkle Kalasha water around the house for prosperity.
In Tamil Nadu, elaborate kolam patterns are drawn; in Andhra Pradesh, devotees prepare poornam boorelu as offerings.
🔔 Powerful Mantras for Varalaxmi Vratham 2026
1. Lakshmi Beej Mantra
“Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhyo Namah”
Invokes wealth and removes financial obstacles.
2. Varalakshmi Mantra
“Padmaasane Padmakare Sarva Lokaika Poojithe,
Narayanapriya Devi Supreethaa Bhava Sarvada.”
Brings happiness, health, and abundance.
3. Maha Lakshmi Mantra
“Om Shri Hreem Shri Kamle Kamlalaye Prasid Prasid,
Om Shri Hreem Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah.”
Invokes prosperity and spiritual upliftment.
4. Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra
“Om Shree Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe
Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dheemahi
Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat Om.”
For wisdom and divine enlightenment.
Chant these mantras 108 times using a kamal gatta mala for maximum spiritual benefit.
📖 Stories and Legends
The most celebrated legend is that of Charumathi, whose faith in Goddess Lakshmi transformed her life after performing the vrat. Another myth recounts Goddess Parvati observing the vrat to ensure the well-being of Lord Shiva and their children.
These stories reinforce the belief that sincere devotion to Varalaxmi brings lasting happiness, health, and prosperity to all.
🌼 Modern Celebrations and Adaptations (2026)
In 2026, devotees continue to celebrate Varalaxmi Vratham with both traditional and modern touches:
- Online pujas and temple livestreams for devotees abroad.
- Eco-friendly decorations using organic flowers and reusable puja sets.
- Community Vrathams in housing societies and temples.
- Sharing digital thamboolam invitations and devotional playlists.
Despite changing lifestyles, the essence of faith, family, and feminine divinity remains the same—making Varalaxmi Vratham an enduring festival of devotion and joy.