The Hindu festival going by the name 'Var Lakshmee Vrat' is celebrated on the last Friday before the Full Moon in the Tamil Month 'Aadi' which corresponds to the English months of July-August. It is a festival to propitiate the goddess Lakshmee, the consort of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity. Var Lakshmee is the one who grants boons (Varam).

Goddess Lakshmee
In her first incarnation, Lakshmee was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyaati. She was later born from Ksheer Saagar (the milky ocean) when it was churned by a cooperative effort of the Devtaa (demigods) and Asur (demons) to obtain Amrit (nectar). Goddess Lakshmee is Maayaa, the illusory power of Nature. She deludes the whole world by Her power and projects it through Her projecting power. Beauty, grace, a picturesque scenery or charming landscape, modesty, love, prosperity, music, the five elements and their combinations, the internal organs, mind, Praan, intellect-all these are Her manifestations.

There are not many temples that are dedicated exclusively to Goddess Lakshmee. She is the consort of Lord Vishnu, and can be seen with Him in Lakshmee Naaraayan temples. Yet, in some rare temples dedicated to Lakshmee you can see Her on a central throne, and Her eight other aspects or expansions as well, four on either side of Her. These have different combinations of hands holding various objects representing her different powers. The most popular of these is Gaj Lakshmee, shown with four arms on an eight-petaled lotus. This aspect of Her is most often seen when positioned above door frames of houses or temples. When seen with two hands, she is known as Saamaanya Lakshmee and Indra Lakshmee. It is said that Lakshmee will enter the house of anyone who thinks of Her and blesses him. There are many festivals in the year dedicated to Goddess Lakshmee. Among them, Var Lakshmee Vrat is considered very auspicious because it is marked by strict observance of certain practices and austerities. It is also called Var Lakshmee Nonbu. This is mostly celebrated in southern India.

Those who seek a plentiful yield of farm crops must worship Shee Dhaanya Lakshmee, the giver of good crops. In the same way, one should worship Shree Dhairya Lakshmee for obtaining courage and skillful speech; Shree Gaj Lakshmee is worshipped for obtaining the quality of being liked by all people, respect in society, and fame; Shree Santaan Lakshmee should be worshipped for ensuring the positive growth and well-being of one’s children; Shree Vijaya Lakshmee is worshipped for obtaining victory in all endeavors; Shree Vidyaa Lakshmee is worshipped for obtaining success and growth in all studies and learning; and Shree Mahaa Lakshmee is worshipped for obtaining all types of wealth, good health, radiance, and the grace of all the eight Lakshmee.

If one is unmarried and wants to get married, doing Var Lakshmee Poojaa at this time will bring you a compatible partner.

Significance of Var Lakshmee Poojan
Eight forces or energies are recognized and they are known as Shree (Wealth), Bhoo (Earth), Saraswatee (learning), Preeti (love),
Keerti (Fame), Shaanti (Peace), Tushti (Pleasure) and Pushti (Strength). Each one of these forces is called a Lakshmee and all the eight forces are called the Asht Lakshmee or the eight Lakshmee of the Hindu. Vishnu is also called Asht Lakshmee Pati which is equivalent to saying that He is the asylum for the eight Lakshmee or forces. In fact, Vishnu representing the preservative aspect of the universe, and radiates these forces from Him. These forces have been personified and are worshipped as Lakshmee, since abstract force is beyond the comprehension of the ordinary people. As health, wealth and prosperity depend upon the rhythmic play of these forces, the worship of Lakshmee is said to be to obtain these three. Only a woman can sympathize with women. Lakshmee is a woman. So she will more readily sympathize with women. Hence this festival is observed largely by women, invoking the blessings of Lakshmee on them, their husbands and children.

How to arrange Her Pooja?
After the purifying bath, the lady should put on a clean, fresh cloth and make a Mandal with the drawing of a lotus upon it. A Kalash filled with rice and topped with fresh mango leaves, a coconut and cloth are placed on the Mandala and Lakshmee is invoked therein. Fresh grains are used in the worship as they convey the idea of growth and prosperity.

After the worship of the Kalash, follows the worship of Ganesh, then the worship of the Rakshaa or the Sacred thread. Now the main worship of Var Lakshmee begins and the Rakshaa  thread is worshipped a second time. It is then tied to the right hand of the lady. after the worship various auspicious articles are given as charity to some deserving lady whose husband is alive. This lady is also fed with dainties.

Lakshmi not only bestows wealth and all sorts of material prosperity, but also imparts divine wisdom to all Her devotees. She is Vidyaa Shakti. She introduces Her devotees to Her Lord Vishnu. She recommends them to Her Lord for their salvation. The simplest way of prayer to appease Her is by fasting on this day, offering Her with red lotus flower and reciting Her Mantra (Hmmm / Om Shreem Lakshmiye Namah) during prayer.

Without Lakshmee even Sanyaasee cannot do propaganda or preaching work or run their institutions. They are in fact more in need of Lakshmee than the house-holders because they have to do great dynamic work for human weal. All great prophets and divine messengers who have done great spiritual work in the past were devotees of Mother Lakshmee, Paarvatee and Saraswatee Jee.

Her Mantra:
HMMM / OM SHREEM LAKSHMIYE NAMAHA......
HMMM / OM SHREEM LAKSHMIYE NAMAHA......
HMMM / OM SHREEM LAKSHMIYE NAMAHA......