Varalakshmi Viratham Pooja
The Friday before Pournami (full moon), in the month of Aadi or Avani. In the morning or the evening.
Next: 13 August 2027, Friday · Aadi 28
Significance
A pooja that women do, praying to Lakshmi for the good of the family. The special part of this viratham is inviting Amman into a kalasam and tying a yellow saradu (sacred thread) on the hand.
Things you need
- Kalasam sembu (pot)
- Rice or water, a coin, lemon, turmeric, betel leaf, areca nut
- Mango leaves, coconut
- Amman face (mugam), a pavadai or cloth, jewels
- Yellow saradu (thread dipped in turmeric)
- Flowers, kumkumam, sandalwood paste
- Kozhukattai, payasam, vadai, fruits
- Lamp, camphor
- For thamboolam: betel leaves, areca nut, turmeric, fruit
How to do it
- The day before, clean the house and draw a kolam at the pooja space.
- Put rice or water, a coin, turmeric, betel leaf and areca nut into the kalasam. Place mango leaves and a coconut on top, fix the Amman face and decorate it.
- On the day, take a bath, light the lamp and first pray to Vinayagar.
- In many families, the custom is to welcome the kalasam in from the front door and place it at the pooja space.
- Do archanai with kumkumam and flowers while saying the names of Lakshmi.
- Place the yellow saradu in front of Amman and pray.
- Offer naivedhyam, show the aarathi and read the viratham story.
- Have an elder tie the saradu on your right hand.
- Give thamboolam to the women who visit your home.
- The next day, take down the kalasam. The custom is to use its rice for payasam or pongal.
Please note
- Whether the fast lasts the whole day or only until the pooja differs from family to family.
- People with illnesses like diabetes, pregnant women, the elderly and children can keep a light fast, as their doctor advises. Health comes first.
This is only a general guide. If your family custom is different, follow that. Ask your elders and your priest.