1/ Today, the 31st July, Friday is Varalakshmi Nonbu, Varamahalakshmi puja .
Varalakshmi Pooja & Varalakshmi Nombu is an important Hindu festival celebrated in the honour of Goddess Lakshmi. Varalakshmi vratam or fast is primarily observed by married women to receive

2/ blessings from Varalakshmi, a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. Varalakshmi is the bestower of 'Var' or 'Varam' meaning boons.

https://images.app.goo.gl/VNBuX1TwV7H8Ag5V7

The main objective of Varalaksmi Vratam is to offer genuine prayers to

3/ Goddess Lakshmi to seek divine blessings. There are no strict rules for observing this vrat. The rituals are not rigid and even a simple prayer is enough to appease Goddess Varalakshmi.

As mentioned in the Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi is the presiding deity of

4/ prosperity, wealth, fortune, wisdom, light, generosity, courage and fertility. Married women keep this sacred Varalakshmi vratam to seek blessings for the entire family, especially their husband and children. As per the Hindu scriptures it is a strong belief that

5/ worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this auspicious day is equivalent to offering prayers to Ashtalakshmi - the eight Goddesses of Love, Wealth, Strength, Peace, Fame, Pleasure, Earth and Learning.

It is said that Lord Shiva himself has told about the Varalkashmi Vratham to

6/ Parvathi. According to Skanda Puranam, once goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to recommend a vrata that will be beneficial to women and Shiva tells her about Vrahta and its Puja Vidhi...

Then Shiva narrates the story of Charumati to tell Parvathi about the glory of the

7/ Vratham.

In the kingdom of Magadha lived a Brahmin woman called Charumathi. She is devoted to her family, served her husband and her parents-in-law with utmost devotion. Goddess Lakshmi impressed by her sincerity appeared in her dream and asks her to worship her as Vara

8/ Lakshmi and all her wishes will be fulfilled. It is said that she has also prescribed the Friday of Sravana month before the full moon day ideal for the Vratham.
Charumathi’s family encourages her to perform the Puja as per the Goddess wish,.... and finding her devotion

9/ endearing other woman in the town joined her in performing the puja.

Slokam...

Padmaasane Padmakare sarva lokaika poojithe...
Narayana priyadevi supreethaa bhava sarvada....

One who is sitting in the lotus, holding lotuses, One who is prayed by the entire universe, One

10/ Who is very dear to Lord Narayana, Please always be benevolent to me.....

Just as Charumathi and other women, were performing the Puja Vidhi – dazzling jewelry is said to have appeared as ornaments on the bodies of these worshippers and houses were filled with riches. The

11/ women expressed their gratitude to Charumathi who shared her dream and helped them become prosperous. Since then it is said that women practice this Puja every year.

Significance of Praying to Lord Vishnu in Lakshmi puja....

The name Vishnu really means pervading

12/ everywhere, and Lakshmi his consort, is symbolical of the forces found everywhere. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of the Ashtalakshmi or eightforces, the worship of Lakshmi is said to be to obtain these three. Hence this festival is

13/ celebrated and Vrata is observed for invoking the blessings of Sri Vara Lakshmi by women for the welfare of their Sowbhagyam (marital bliss), Santana (children) and Sakala Ishta Kamya Phala Siddhi (have all the desired boons fulfilled). But as both Sri Maha Vishnu and Maha

14/ Lakshmi are inseparable from each other they have to be prayed together always to seek the Blessings. Hence it is very much important to pray to Lord Vishnu before seeking the Blessings of the Goddess. Therefore Goddess Lakshmi and Vishnu are prayed together for

15/ prosperity, and spiritual growth in this Vratham.