Doubts abound the mind especially when it comes to rituals and poojas. Here is a compilation of such top twenty questions on Varalakshmi Vratham/Pooja and its answers.

1. Can a 4 month pregnant woman can do this pooja ?

Anybody can do the pooja and pregnant woman do not need to fast.

2. Can we do pooja/vrat on that day if any other member in the family is having periods?

You can do varalakshmi pooja on that day itself even some one in the family is having periods.
If in case if your having period on that day you are not advised to do it instead of that u can do the pooja in the next week itself(friday)

3. I have one doubt wether we have prepare paruppu payasam or semiya payasam?

Normally we prepare paruppu payasam for neivedhyam.

4. What is the auspicious time to start the pooja?

On friday before 10.30 in the morning u finish ur pooja due to raagu Kalam. The Rahu Kalam, or the inauspicious period, on Fridays is from 10:30 to 12:00 noon.

So the Varalakshmi Puja can be observed in the morning before 1030 hrs or in the afternoon. Avoid performing the puja during the Rahu Kalam period. The apt time for the Pooja is afternoon or evening. T

he fasting that begins on Friday morning (sunrise) ends when the puja is completed.

5. Can we smear coconut with arishina on Thursday evening itself so as to be ready on pooja day?

You can either do it on Thursday or on Friday.

6. What are some of the Special Prayers or Shlokas to be chanted on Varalakshmi Vratha day?

Lakshmi Ashtotram and Lakshmi Sahasranamam

7. Can you please tell me about fasting on Varalakshmi Puja day?

Fasting is done from morning till Varalakshmi Puja is over. You can always be flexible – fasting might not be possible if you are working etc.

8. What if I missed the Varalakshmi Puja?

If you missed the Varalakshmi Nombu day or failed to observe it, you can do it during the following Friday. Another option is to observe it during a Friday in Navratri.

9. What is Kalasha?

Kalasa or Kalasha means a pot to carry water. Brass or silver Kalasa is usually used for poojas. Kalash symbolically represents the Goddess in most pujas.

10. How to prepare Kalasha for Varalakshmi

Clean the pot thoroughly to make it dry. Decorate the pot with turmeric and kumkuma dots. Some pople apply gypsum or chunnam on the bottom of the vessel (optional). Fill the pot with uncooked rice, coins, dried fruits, etc.

This practice differs from region to region.  Decorate the neck of the pot with tender mango leaves. Ensure that the end tip of the mango leaves point in the upward direction.

Now keep the coconut decorated with kumkum, turmeric and sandalwood paste. This must be placed on the neck of pot along with the mango leaves.

The eyes of the coconut must be on the top. You can also tie a new unstitched cloth around the pot (this is optional). Decorate the pot with garland or flowers.

Some people also attached a small face or an idol of the Goddess to the pot. You can tie it with thread of stick it with sandalwood paste. Decorate the Kalash with your favorite jewellery.

11. What should i do with the Kalasha after the festival?

Remove the Kalasha after the puja. The items in the kalash should be put inside a freshly made hole in the ground and mud put on it.

12. What do you do with the coconut and leaves after the puja?

Leaves can be kept under a tree after the puja and the coconut after the puja is like any coconut that can be used in cooking.

13. I did the Varalakshmi pooja on friday & after the punar pooja I saw that the Kalasam coconut was spoiled…is there any significance of this..

Do not worry.  Contemplating on negative thoughts will lead to some bad effects. Faith and Devotion are most important while performing the puja.

14. Can the Vratham be performed without the Kalasham?

For all kinds of Poojas the Kalasam is a must. You can not perform any Vratam without a Kalasam, let it be of Varalakshmi Vratam, or Satyanarayana Vratam or that of Vinayaka Vratam.

Through Kalasam you are inviting the God or Goddess to that place and you are performing pooja directly to it. That is the point behind it. Hence one can not perform a vratam without a kalasa

15. Why is Varalakshmi Vratham celebrated in Shravana Month?

Shravan month happens to be the birth month of Lord Vishnu and the favorite month of Vishnu. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu worships him during this month.

It is believed that worshipping the Goddess during this month, which is auspicious to her husband, Lord Vishnu is also auspicious to worship Goddess Lakshmi to get her blessings by performing the Varalakshmi Pooja in this month.

16. How many dishes can i prepare for naivedyam?

Odd number of dishes are prepared for naivedyam – 1, 3, 5 or 9. Aapam, Vadai, Sarkari Pongal, Sundal, Kozhukattai, Payasam, Kesari, Laddu

17. Can anyone pls advice me about doing punarpooja after varalakshmi vratham.And when do we dismantle the kalasam?.what to do with the coconut we made amman’s face and the bed of rice?.

You can dismantle the Kalasham the following day of the pooja. In case of face made with Sandal or turmeric, you can put it in the pond of the temple or river.

The rice in Kalasham can be mixed with the normal rice that you use in your home. It is believed that Goddess Annaporni stays in the home permantently.

18. When to tie the Varalakshmi Vratham Saradu (yellow thread)?

The sacred yellow thread is first tied to the Goddess. The yellow thread (saradu) is prepared with nine knots and a flower is placed in the center.

Now the main worship of Lakshmi begins, with a second worship of the sacred Thread (nOnbu saradu).

Finally, it is tied around the right hand of the performer and all other ladies in the family

19. What are some flowers that can be offered to Goddess Lakshmi?

Here is a list of flowers and leaves that are used in Lakshmi Puja:
Lotus, Druva Grass (Aruguam Pul in Tamil), Fragrant Screw Pine (Taazhampoo in Tamil, Mugali in Telugu, Keora in Hindi)

20. What are some items to keep in Tamboolam?

Betel leaves with betel nut, fruit, comb, small mirror, turmeric, kumkum, blouse piece and any other gift items that one can afford.

The gift pack should include a vasthra such as blouse piece, kitchen towel/napkin etc.

Disclaimer: The author and publisher have put their best efforts in preparing the FAQ. However, the author and the publisher do not make any representation or warranty with respect to accuracy, applicability or completeness of this FAQ.