Varalakshmi Vrat (Vritham) is a festival or ritual dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.Varalakshmi one who grants boons (Varam) and it is important ritual or puja performed by married women to ask boons (Varam) for their long live relationship with their husband from Goddess Lakshmi while some of the unmarried women/girls also celebrate or follow this ritual to get a good husband.
Varalakshmi Vrat is celebrated on the Second Friday or Friday before full moon day (Purnima) in the Tamil month Sravana (July-August).It is believed that worshiping Varalakshmi on this day is equal to worshiping AsthaLakshmi (eight Incarnation of Goddess Laksmi -Knowledge,Love,Progeny,Peace,Pleasure,Wealth,Boon and Strength)
Significance
Eight forces or energies are recognised and they are known as Sri (Wealth), Bhu (Earth), Sarasvati (learning), Priti (love), Kirti (Fame), Santi (Peace), Tushti(Pleasure) and Pushti(Strength). Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmi and all the eight forces are called the Ashta Lakshmis or the eight Lakshmis of the Hindus. Vishnu is also called Ashta Lakshmi Padhi which is equivalent to saying that he is the asylum for the eight-Lakshmis or forces. In fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe, radiates these forces from him. These forces are personified and worshiped as Lakshmis, since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary people. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to be to obtain these three. This festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmi on them, their husbands and their children.
Source: Wikipedia
History
In the kingdom of Magadha of yore, there lived a Brahmin woman called Charumathi in a town named Kundina. The prosperous town was the home of Charumathi and her husband. Impressed by her devotion to her family, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to worship Vara-Lakshmi (Vara - boon, Lakshmi - goddess of wealth) and seek to fulfill her wishes. Varalakshmi is yet another form of Lord Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The prayer/worship was prescribed to be offered on the Friday of Sravana month preceding the night of full moon.
When Charumathi explained her dream to her family, she found them encouraging her to perform the pooja. Many other women of the village joined her in performing the pooja in a traditional way and offered many sweet dishes to the Goddess Varalakshmi.
They prayed with deep devotion:
"Padmaasane Padmakare sarva lokaika poojithe Narayana priyadevi supreethaa bhava sarvada"
On this occasion women worship Goddess Lakshmi with utmost devotion offering sweets and flowers, usually a kalash(representing the deity) will be decorated with a saree, flowers and gold jewelry with offerings placed in front.
This pooja can be done with no restriction to caste or creed. To this day many women observe this traditional festival praying Varamahalakshmi for her blesses in form wealth and well being of their family.
Source:Wikipedia
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