Goddess Lakshmi

Maha Dhevyai cha Vidhmahe 
Vishnu Pathnai cha Dheemahi 
Thanno Lakshmi Prachodayaath

Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Sri MahaVishnu. She is the abode of all auspiciousness and prosperity. Varalakshmi  viratham is celebrated on the Friday before the full moon day in the month of Sravan (August-September).This viratham is observed by married women for the welfare of their husband, children and household.  This is believed to bring good progeny, health and a long life.

Lord Shiva describes the glory of this Viratam in the Skanda Purana. This is a pooja that was pronounced by  Lord Parameswara to be performed by his consort Parvathi to seek prosperity and happiness for the family.

According to Hindu mythology once, Parvati and Parmeswara were involved in a game of chess. Though Parvati was winning the game every time, Parmeswar was teasing her to have won each game, much to the annoyance of his consort Parvati. Then they decided to have Chitranemi as a referee.

Chitranemi proved to be very partial to Parmeswara. Parvati could not tolerate his most unjust behaviour and in a fit of anger cursed Chitranemi to become a leper. Chitranemi begged to pardon him and at the intervention of Parmeswara, Parvati relented and modified the curse adding that he would be cured of the dreaded disease by observing Varalakshmi Vratha. Chirtranemi got rid off the loathsome disease after he observed the Vratha.

Thus it came to be emulated by married women for the health, wealth and knowledge for the entire family.

Varalakshmi Viratham Procedure

After taking a clean bath, wear clean clothes. Draw a kolam in your pooja room/place, preferably of a Lotus. Take a silver Kalasha filled with rice and top it with mango leaves and coconut. Decorate the coconut with turmeric and kumkum. Keep the face of Mahalakshmi on it. If you don't have it, make a face on the turmeric paste by molding it accordingly with your hands. Decorate this with fresh flowers and gold ornaments. Place a banana leaf and place the prasad on it. Place new cloth and fresh grains. Lakshmi is invoked therein. Worship the Kalasha.  After the worship give new cloths and prasad to a deserving married woman.