When Is Varalakshmi Vratham 2026? Check the Correct Date, Time, Holiday Updates & All You Need to Know

Varalakshmi Vratham is one of the most popular festivals observed by married Hindu women across South India.

This year, Varalakshmi Vratham falls on Friday, August 21st. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Varalakshmi, a form of Goddess Mahalakshmi, and is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and some parts of Maharashtra.

Varalakshmi Vratham Tithi Details

Varalakshmi Vratham will be observed on the Friday that falls in Shravana Shukla Paksha, the fortnight period of the Hindu month of Shravana, just ahead of Shravana Purnima or the full moon day. Based on Vedic astronomical calculations, this year the correct date works out to Friday, August 21st.

Varalakshmi Vratham Puja Muhurat: The Most Auspicious Timings

Varalakshmi Puja is most powerful when performed during what are known as fixed Lagnas throughout the day.

On August 21st, four such windows were considered auspicious. As per Drik Panchang, the morning windowfalls under Simha Lagna between 6:53 am and 8:56 am. An afternoon window follows under Vrishchika Lagna from 1:35 pm to 3:54 pm.

The evening slot, considered the most powerful time for Lakshmi worship, falls under Kumbha Lagna between 7:39 pm and 9:05 pm, coinciding with Pradosh Kaal, or the twilight hour. A final window under Vrishabha Lagna runs past midnight, from 12:03 am to 1:58 am on August 22.

Significance of Varalakshmi Vratham

The festival is celebrated to honor Goddess Varalakshmi, whose name combines "Vara," which means "blessing," and "Lakshmi," who is the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

She is a compassionate blessing, providing a form of Mahalakshmi, and worshipping her on this day is believed to be equivalent to worshipping all eight forms of Lakshmi, together known as Ashtalakshmi, which represent wealth, grain, courage, victory, progeny, knowledge, prosperity, and royalty.

How The Puja Is Performed

As a part of the tradition, during the Varahalaxmi Vratham pooja rituals, a kalash is decorated and filled with rice, coins & turmeric-stained coconut, which represents goddess Lakshmi herself. Women perform this pooja, especially in households across Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Udupi. It is also equally celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Maharashtra. The festival is comparatively less common in North Indian states.