Mahalakshmi Vrat

In Sanatan Dharma, Goddess Lakshmi holds a special place. She is worshiped as the goddess of wealth. With her blessings, life remains filled with happiness, peace, wealth, and prosperity. The Mahalakshmi fast begins on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada and continues until the Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin. The fast starts on Radha Ashtami and ends on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha in Ashwin. During this period, there is a ritual to worship Goddess Lakshmi with proper procedures. This fast is mainly celebrated with great enthusiasm in parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Odisha. It is believed that by worshiping Goddess Lakshmi during the Mahalakshmi fast, devotees receive blessings of happiness and prosperity.

Puja Procedure

On the day of the fast, wake up early, take a bath, and wear clean clothes. First, take a thread, color it with turmeric, tie sixteen knots in it, and wear it on your wrist. Then, begin the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi. First, offer vermilion and Kumkum to the Goddess, light incense and a lamp, and place a flower garland on her. Offer the items of "sixteen adornments" (solah shringar), and place a betel leaf with clove, sugar candy, and small cardamom as an offering to the Goddess. Afterward, offer food (Bhog) to the Goddess. Read or listen to the Mahalakshmi Vrat story. After completing the story, perform the aarti and sincerely pray for your wishes to be fulfilled.

This fast continues until the Krishna Ashtami of the month of Ashwin. Once the fast is complete, create a canopy using cloth and place an idol of Lakshmi in it. Bathe the idol with Panchamrit (milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar). Offer sandalwood, flower garlands, rice, Durva grass, red thread, betel nut, coconut, and various other items in multiples of sixteen placed in a new basket to the Goddess. Worship the Goddess with devotion according to your customs. After completing the puja, feed the needy and give donations according to your capacity. Doing so pleases Goddess Lakshmi, and she blesses her devotees with her grace and protection.

Significance

A person who faithfully observes the Mahalakshmi fast receives special blessings of happiness and prosperity in their life. Through this fast, the grace of Goddess Lakshmi always remains with the person, helping to remove financial difficulties from their home and family. The devotees’ worship and dedication bring complete benefits, filling their life with wealth, prosperity, and joy. In this way, the Mahalakshmi fast not only improves financial conditions but also supports the person's mental and spiritual growth.

Related topics-

• Varalakshmi Vrat
• Lakshmi Panchami
• Lakshami Jayanti