#Varamahalakshmi - The Importance of Varalakshmi Vrat and the Fasting Rituals
The practice of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi includes worshipping her 8 forms, Sri Lakshmi of wealth, Bhulakshmi of Erth, Saraswathi of Learning, Kirti Lakshmi of fame, Priti Lakshmi of love, Shanti Lakshmi of Peace, Tushti Lakshmi of Pleasure and Pusthi Lakshmi for strength, and this event is observed in Sravana month, and women missing it on a particular day can do it on any other Friday in Sravana month.
Women who observe this pooja must be on fasting till the pooja finishes. Women take bath early, and do a rangoli and place a sacred Kalasa with rice and a coconut to offer to Lakshmi, and the Vrat begins with prayers to Ganesha and then begins Lakshmi worship. It has been said that this pooja began when lordShivaa asked parvathi to do it, and some mythology says, it was after the prayers of a woman named Charumathi in Magadha empire that this practice began, and Lakshmi impressed by prayers offered them Vara meaning boon. On Varlakshmi vrat day, women eat Obattu, Puliyogare and by evening women visit other families and exchange sweets