Varalakshmi Vratham

A complete guide to the Varalakshmi Vratham — when it is observed, the samagri, the pooja vidhanam, the toram, and the Charumati Vratha Katha. Read online or save as PDF.

About the Vratham

The Varalakshmi Vratham (వరలక్ష్మీ వ్రతం) is one of the most cherished vrathas observed by married women (sumangalis) in Telugu households. It is the worship of Varalakshmi — the boon-granting (vara) form of Goddess Mahalakshmi, who is said to embody the Ashtalakshmi, the eight forms of abundance: wealth, grain, courage, progeny, success, knowledge, strength and prosperity. Women perform the vratham praying for the wellbeing and long life of their husbands and families, and for prosperity in the home.

Its greatness is described in the Skanda Purana, where Lord Shiva narrates the story of Charumati to Goddess Parvati to explain the power of this vratham (the katha is below).

When is Varalakshmi Vratham?

Varalakshmi Vratham is observed on a Friday in the Shukla Paksha of Shravana Masam — traditionally the Friday just before Shravana Pournami. In 2026, Shravana Pournami falls on Friday, August 28, so the vratham is kept on a Friday of Shravana shortly before it.

Pooja Samagri — What to Keep Ready

• A kalasham (metal pot) to be worshipped as the Goddess — filled with rice or water, a coin, betel nut, topped with mango leaves and a coconut
• A face/image of Lakshmi (Ammavari mukham) and a new blouse-piece/saree to adorn the kalasham
• Turmeric, kumkuma, sandalwood, akshatalu, flowers, and a garland
• The toram — a sacred thread of nine strands with nine knots, smeared with turmeric, tied on the right wrist
• Toranam (mango-leaf festoon), a wooden plank (peeta) with a rangoli/muggu beneath the kalasham
• Two lamps with ghee/oil, agarbatti, camphor for harati
• Naivedyam: payasam, vada, pulihora, chalimidi, fruits and sweets
• Tamboolam (betel leaves, nuts, fruit, kumkuma, a small gift) to offer to other sumangalis

Pooja Vidhanam — Step by Step

1. Preparation — Clean the puja area, draw a muggu, place the peeta and arrange the kalasham, decorating it as the Goddess with the saree, mukham, turmeric and kumkuma.
2. Achamanam & Sankalpam — Purify, then state the day, place and purpose of the vratham.
3. Kalasha & Deepa Aradhana — Invoke the sacred waters and light the lamps.
4. Ganapati Puja — Worship Lord Ganesha first for an obstacle-free vratham.
5. Varalakshmi Avahanam — Invite Goddess Varalakshmi into the kalasham and meditate on Her.
6. Toram Puja & Dharana — Worship the nine-knot toram and tie it on the right wrist, praying for the Goddess’s protection.
7. Shodashopachara Puja — Offer the sixteen services — seat, water, bath, garments, sandal, kumkuma, flowers, incense, lamp, naivedyam and more.
8. Ashtalakshmi / Ashtottara — Offer the names of the Goddess (Ashtalakshmi stotram and the 108 names) with kumkuma and flowers.
9. Vratha Katha — Hold akshatalu and read the Charumati Vratha Katha (below).
10. Mangala Harati & Tamboolam — Offer camphor harati, then tamboolam to the gathered sumangalis with kumkuma.

The Charumati Vratha Katha

This is the story Lord Shiva told Goddess Parvati to reveal the greatness of the Varalakshmi Vratham. The retelling below is in plain English.

In the ancient town of Kundinapuram lived a virtuous woman named Charumati, devoted to her husband and her elders, gentle and generous to all. Pleased by her goodness, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared to her in a dream and said, “Charumati, on the Friday before the Shravana full moon, worship me in my form as Varalakshmi. Whoever keeps this vratham with a pure heart will receive every righteous wish — health, prosperity and the wellbeing of their family.”

Charumati shared the dream with her family and the women of the town. On the appointed Friday they gathered at her home, prepared the kalasham as the Goddess, tied the toram, and worshipped Varalakshmi with deep devotion. As they offered their prayers and performed pradakshina, the grace of the Goddess filled their lives — their homes were blessed with gold and ornaments, with health and harmony, and with lasting happiness. From Charumati the vratham spread far and wide, and to this day sumangalis keep it each Shravana, trusting in the boon-giving compassion of Sri Varalakshmi.

Conclusion & Tamboolam

The vratham concludes with mangala harati and the offering of tamboolam — betel leaves, fruit, kumkuma and a small gift — to the other married women present, honouring the Goddess in them. The toram is kept on the wrist as the Goddess’s blessing. With folded hands the family seeks pardon for anything done imperfectly, and the vratham is complete.

Related Guides

• Sri Satyanarayana Vratham — pooja vidhanam & the five-chapter katha
• Vinayaka Vratha Kalpam — full puja vidhanam, 21 patri & Vratha Katha
• Telugu Panchangam August 2026 — Shravana Masam festivals