Varalakshmi Vratham 2026: Date, Significance, Story & Procedure
Varalakshmi Vratham
The most cherished vratam for Goddess Lakshmi — worshipped by married women across Telangana & Andhra Pradesh for the prosperity, health and longevity of the family.
Why Varalakshmi Vratham is so revered
Varalakshmi means the Lakshmi who grants boons (vara). Observed on the Friday before Shravana Purnima, this vratam is considered one of the most auspicious days to invoke Goddess Lakshmi. Worshipping Varalakshmi on this day is held to be equal to worshipping the Ashtalakshmi — the eight forms of the Goddess who bless every dimension of a full life:
The story of Charumathi
In the town of Kundinagaram in the Vidarbha kingdom lived a pious woman named Charumathi, devoted to her family and to Goddess Lakshmi. Pleased by her devotion, Adilakshmi appeared in her dream and asked her to perform the Varalakshmi Vratam.
The next morning, Charumathi and the married women of her neighbourhood rose early, bathed, and built a small mandapam to worship the Goddess. As Charumathi completed each stage of the puja, she was blessed — first with ornaments, and then with Navaratna Kankanams, the nine-gem bangles — and her home overflowed with prosperity.
To this day, women perform the vratam as Charumathi did: with a pure heart, in the company of family, seeking the well-being of those they love.
How Varalakshmi Vratham is performed
Prepare the space
Rise early and bathe, ideally in Brahma Muhurtham. Clean the puja area and draw a fresh kolam (muggu) where the Goddess will be seated.
Set up the kalasham
Place a wooden mandapam, spread a new blouse piece and a layer of rice, and set a kalasham filled with rice or holy water, a few coins and betel nut. Decorate it with mango leaves and a turmeric-smeared coconut.
Adorn the Goddess
Dress the kalasham as Varalakshmi with a silk saree, gold ornaments, turmeric, kumkum and fresh flowers — and, if you have one, a Lakshmi face or idol.
Begin with Ganapati
Worship Lord Ganapati first to remove obstacles, then invoke the Goddess and perform Kalasha puja.
Shodashopachara & archana
Offer the sixteen upacharas, recite the Ashtottara Shatanamavali, and perform Kanakadhara and Lakshmi archana with kumkum and flowers.
Tie the sacred thoram
Tie the nine-knotted thoram on the right wrist with the prescribed mantra (see below). Offer naivedyam — sweets, fruits and tambulam.
Aarti & prasadam
Conclude with deeparadhana and the Varalakshmi katha, then distribute prasadam and tambulam to married women and family.
The nine knots of protection
A thoram of nine threads with nine knots is tied on the right wrist. Married women wear both the pongu nool and the thoram; young girls tie the thoram alone.
Putra-pautrabhi vriddhincha saubhagyam dehi me Rame”
I tie on my right hand the auspicious nine-stranded thread — grant me the growth of children and grandchildren, and lasting good fortune, O Lakshmi.
Varalakshmi Vratham samagri checklist
Everything you need to perform the vratam at home. If you book with Karishye, all of this is included — inspected, pure and plastic-free.
Let Karishye perform it for you
A verified Telugu pujari, complete eco-friendly samagri and free muhurtham guidance — across Telangana & Andhra Pradesh. Or order just the ready samagri kit and perform it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Q.When is Varalakshmi Vratham in 2026?
It falls on Friday, 28 August 2026 — the second Friday of Shravana Shukla Paksha, the Friday before Shravana Purnima.
Q.Who performs Varalakshmi Vratham?
It is performed mainly by married women for the well-being, health and prosperity of their husband and family. Unmarried girls also participate and tie the thoram.
Q.What is the thoram and why nine knots?
The thoram is a sacred thread of nine strands and nine knots tied on the right wrist, invoking the Goddess’s protection and blessings for progeny and good fortune.
Q.Can I perform it in an apartment?
Yes. The vratam needs only a clean corner for the kalasham and mandapam, making it perfectly suited to apartments and small homes.
Q.Is the samagri included if I book with Karishye?
Yes — every Karishye Varalakshmi Vratham includes a verified Telugu pujari, complete eco-friendly samagri and free muhurtham guidance.