NEW DELHI : Varalakshmi Puja 2026 will be observed on Friday, August 21, across the southern parts of the country. The Vara Lakshmi Puja is a sacred ritual observed by devotees, especially married women, to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, prosperity, and well being of their families. This detailed Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi covers all 32 steps, including Shodashopachara Puja (16 steps) and Dvatrinshopachara Puja (32 steps), also known as Battishopachar Puja. Before starting the puja, devotees must gather all essential items, collectively known as Varalakshmi Pujan Samagri.
What is Varalakshmi Puja?
Varalakshmi Vratam is a powerful vrata (vow) observed on a Friday during Shravana month, believed to be equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmi, the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Performing this vrat with devotion invites blessings of wealth (Dhana), prosperity (Aishwarya), and good fortune (Saubhagya).
Shodashopachara and Dvatrinshopachara Puja: Significance
- Shodashopachara Puja involves 16 steps and is the traditional form of offering.
- Dvatrinshopachara Puja involves 32 steps and includes more elaborate offerings.
- Both puja styles aim to please Shri Varalakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu and the goddess of prosperity.
Essential Items for Varalakshmi Puja
Collect the following:
- Kalash (copper/silver pot)
- Kumkum, Haldi, Sindoor, Kajal
- Flowers, Betel leaves, Fruits, Sweets
- Coconut, Rice, Coins, Lamps (Diya)
- Sacred thread (Dorak), New saree or cloth, Jewellery
Step-by-Step Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi (32 Steps)
- Dhyanam (Meditation): Begin the puja by meditating upon Goddess Varalakshmi. Chant the dhyana mantra with devotion.
- Avahanam (Invocation): Invoke the goddess into the idol/kalash using the Avahana Mudra and respective mantra.
- Asanam (Offering Seat): Offer a seat to the goddess with five flowers.
- Padyam, Arghyam, Achamanam: Offer water to wash the feet, for head abhishekam, and for sipping respectively.
- Panchamrita Snanam & Snanam: Perform bathing rituals using Panchamrita (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) followed by pure water.
- Vastra, Kanthasutra & Abharana: Offer clothes (moli/saree), sacred necklace (mangalsutra), and ornaments.
- Gandha & Saubhagya Dravya: Apply sandal paste and offer haldi, kumkum, sindoor, and kajal.
- Pushpa Samarpanam: Offer flowers with devotion.
- Anga Pujanam: Worship the goddess by offering to her divine body parts, symbolic of various deities.
- Dhupah & Deepah: Offer fragrant incense (dhoop) and lighted ghee lamp (deepa).
- Naivedyam: Offer traditional food and sweets to the deity.
- Tambulam: Offer betel leaves with areca nut (paan).
- Dakshina: Offer money or symbolic gift to the goddess.
- Nirajanam (Aarti): Perform Aarti with camphor and chant the Nirajana Mantra.
- Doraka Grahanam & Bandhanam: Accept the sacred thread (dorak) and tie it around the wrist while taking the vow.
- Punararghya & Bilvapatra: Repeat the arghya offering and present Bilva leaves, sacred to the goddess.
- Pradakshina: Do a symbolic circumambulation with folded hands or flowers.
- Namaskarah: Offer full surrender and pay homage through mantra and prostration.
- Vrata Samarpanam: Dedicate the completion of the vratam to the goddess.
- Kshamarpanam: Seek forgiveness for any mistakes made during the puja.
- Prarthana: Offer heartfelt prayer to fulfill wishes and grant prosperity.
- Vayanam: Present special sweets (21 types ideally) for offering (Vayanam), especially to married women.
- Puja Samarpanam: Conclude the puja and distribute prasadam. Give vayanam and dakshina to Brahmins, Suvasinis, and others.
Key Takeaways
- Performing Varalakshmi Vratam with devotion is believed to bring Ashta Aishwarya (eight forms of prosperity).
- Puja can be done at home by setting up a clean altar and following the above vidhi.
- Offerings, mantras, and rituals are integral to invoking the divine energy of Goddess Varalakshmi.
Celebrating Varalakshmi Vratam not only deepens your spiritual connection but also reinforces family values and prosperity. Follow this complete Varalakshmi Puja Vidhi with sincerity and may the Goddess of Wealth bless your home with abundance and peace.
