Invoke the grace of Goddess Lakshmi for wealth, health, and prosperity even while living far from home.
When is Varalakshmi Vratam in 2025?
In 2025, Varalakshmi Vratam falls on Friday, August 8th.
This sacred festival is celebrated on the Friday before the full moon (Purnima) in the month of Shravana (July–August), dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu and the bestower of boons (Varam).
Significance of Varalakshmi Vratam
Varalakshmi Vratam is observed primarily by married women seeking the well-being and prosperity of their family. However, anyone can perform it with devotion and pure intention. It is believed that observing this vrata is equivalent to worshipping the Ashta Lakshmis (eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi):
- Adi Lakshmi (primordial wealth)
- Dhana Lakshmi (monetary wealth)
- Dhanya Lakshmi (agricultural wealth)
- Gaja Lakshmi (animal wealth)
- Santana Lakshmi (progeny)
- Veera Lakshmi (valor)
- Vijaya Lakshmi (victory)
- Vidya Lakshmi (education)
Performing Varalakshmi Vratam Abroad: A Guide for NRIs
Even when far from India, you can perform the vratam with devotion. Here’s how NRI devotees can celebrate in a simplified and spiritually fulfilling way:
Varalakshmi Vratam 2025: Step-by-Step Procedure
Preparation – A Day Before (August 7th, 2025)
- Clean the house thoroughly, especially the pooja room or designated area.
- Decorate the pooja area with rangoli, flowers, and toran (mango leaves or artificial alternatives).
- Prepare haldi-kumkum, betel leaves, nuts, coins, blouse pieces, and bangles for offering and for inviting women (if possible).
- Shop for fresh fruits, flowers, and traditional sweets (or prepare at home).
- Install the Kalasham (Purna Kumbham):
- Use a silver, brass, or clay pot.
- Fill with raw rice or water, turmeric, coins, or navadhanyam.
- Decorate with mango leaves and place a coconut smeared with turmeric on top.
- Draw the Lakshmi face on the coconut or attach a printed Lakshmi face.
- Tie a sacred thread (kalava) around the neck of the pot.
On Varalakshmi Vratam Day – August 8th, 2025
Morning Rituals
- Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta (4:00 – 6:00 AM).
- Take a bath and wear traditional clothes (saree or kurta).
- Place the Varalakshmi Kalasham on a plate filled with raw rice or on a decorated wooden plank (manai).
- Offer haldi-kumkum, flowers, and light a deepam (lamp) and agarbatti.
Main Pooja Procedure
- Ganapati Pooja – Begin with Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles.
- Sankalpam – Take a vow (sankalpam) to perform the pooja with devotion.
“I am performing this Varalakshmi Vratam for the welfare of my family, health, wealth, peace, and prosperity.” - Kalasha Pooja – Offer flowers, kumkum, turmeric, rice, and chant Lakshmi Ashtottaram (108 names of Lakshmi).
- Offer Naivedyam – Fruits, coconut, sweets, vada/payasam/pongal.
- Tie the sacred thread (charadu) on the right hand (women) and left for men.
- Perform aarti to Goddess Lakshmi with camphor and sing traditional songs or slokas like:
- Lakshmi Ashtottaram
- Sri Suktham
- Kanakadhara Stotram
- Invite women/girls (if community is available) and offer tamboolam (betel leaves, nuts, bangles, fruits).
Simple Naivedyam (Offerings) You Can Prepare Abroad
- Pongal (Sweet & Spicy)
- Semiya Payasam or Kheer
- Sundal (Chickpeas/Peanuts stir-fried)
- Fruit platter (Banana, Apple, Grapes)
- Coconut and Jaggery sweets (modak, laddu)
Use substitute ingredients based on availability in your country (like canned coconut milk, jaggery blocks, or dry flowers).
Evening Ritual
In the evening, perform aarti again, and distribute prasadam. Some families also perform Santoshi Mata Vrat or Sai Baba Pooja as additional prayers.
Immersing the Kalasha (Visarjan)
The next day (Saturday, August 9th), perform udvasana (farewell) to the Goddess:
- Offer one last aarti.
- Remove the kalasham and sprinkle the rice around the tulsi plant or under a tree.
- Consume the coconut and share the rice as prasadam.
Mantras and Slokas for Chanting
- “Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalaxmiyei Namah”
- “Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali”
- “Sri Suktham” from Rigveda
- “Kanakadhara Stotram” by Adi Shankaracharya
Tips for NRIs
- Join online Varalakshmi poojas conducted by Hindu temples or spiritual communities.
- Use digital pooja kits or order pooja items online.
- Involve your kids and spouse to teach them tradition and build a spiritual bond.
- If working on that day, perform the pooja early morning or in the evening.
Devotion Knows No Boundaries
Whether in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or the Middle East — Goddess Lakshmi sees only the devotion in your heart. Even a minimalistic pooja, done with love and purity, brings abundant blessings. Living abroad may mean fewer resources, but it’s also a reminder that spirituality lies in intention, not opulence.
Conclusion
Varalakshmi Vratam 2025 offers you a divine opportunity to connect with the Mother Goddess and seek her blessings for your family’s prosperity and well-being. For NRIs, it’s not just a festival — it’s a bridge between continents, traditions, and the eternal spiritual essence of Bharatiya Dharma.
Let your home, wherever it may be, become a sanctum of divine energy this Varalakshmi Vratam.
