Varalakshmi Vratam, or Varalakshmi Nonbu, is kept on the Friday that falls on or just before the full moon of the lunar month of Shravana, in the Tamil months of Aadi or Aavani. A silver face of the goddess is fixed to a kalasam, dressed and garlanded, and carried into the house from the doorstep with a song of welcome. Married women keep the fast and tie a yellow thread on the wrist.
The story
The story is of Charumati, to whom Lakshmi appeared in a dream and promised every boon if she were worshipped on this Friday. Charumati called her neighbours, and all of them found their homes filled.
Aadi is the goddess's month throughout Tamil Nadu: its Fridays are kept for Amman, koozh is poured at her temples, and Aadi Perukku is celebrated on the rivers. The nonbu comes as the month's high point for Lakshmi.
How the nonbu goes
- Inviting the goddessThe decorated kalasam is brought in from the threshold on the evening before or that morning, with a song of welcome.
- The mandapamShe is seated under a small canopy of banana stems and mango leaves.
- Nonbu kayiruA yellow thread with nine knots is tied on the right wrist.
- KozhukattaiSweet and savoury steamed dumplings, with sundal, vadai and payasam.
- ThamboolamWomen visiting in the evening are given betel, turmeric, kumkum, fruit and a blouse piece.
Why this date
In Tamil Nadu Varalakshmi Vratam is the Friday on or immediately before the full moon of Shravana. When the full moon itself is a Friday the vratam is kept on that day.
Varalakshmi Vratam in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Friday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Friday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Tamil festivals
24 AugustGokulashtamiகோகுலாஷ்டமி
4 SeptemberVinayagar Chaturthiவிநாயகர் சதுர்த்தி
18 JulyGuru Purnimaகுரு பூர்ணிமா
14 JulySayana Ekadasiசயன ஏகாதசி
20 MayVaikasi Visakamவைகாசி விசாகம்
7 OctoberDurga Ashtamiதுர்காஷ்டமி
Where to see Varalakshmi Vratam
In Tamil Nadu
- Ashtalakshmi Kovil, ChennaiTamil NaduThe temple of the eight Lakshmis on the beach at Besant Nagar.
- Sripuram, VelloreTamil NaduThe golden temple of Lakshmi Narayani.
- KanchipuramTamil NaduKamakshi's temple, where Lakshmi too has her shrine, and every Aadi Friday is a festival.
Across India
- TiruchanurAndhra PradeshThe temple of Padmavati, where the vratam is conducted for thousands.
- KolhapurMaharashtraMahalakshmi's ancient seat, counted among the Shakti Peethas.
- GoravanahalliKarnatakaThe Mahalakshmi temple most visited in Karnataka for the same vow.