Varamahalakshmi Vrata, or Varamahalakshmi Habba, is among the biggest household festivals of Karnataka. On the Friday on or before the full moon of Shravana, a silver face of the goddess is fixed on a kalasha, which is dressed in a silk sari, hung with jewellery and seated under a canopy of banana stems. Flower prices in Bengaluru double for the week. In the evening women visit one another for arishina-kumkuma.
The story
The vow was revealed by Lakshmi in a dream to Charumati of Kundinapura, and taught by Shiva to Parvati as the one that grants every wish.
The song sung in every house on this Friday is Purandara Dasa's invitation to the goddess, asking her to come walking in, anklets sounding, like butter rising from buttermilk.
ಭಾಗ್ಯದ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಬಾರಮ್ಮ, ನಮ್ಮಮ್ಮ ನೀ ಸೌಭಾಗ್ಯದ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ ಬಾರಮ್ಮ
Come, Lakshmi of good fortune; our mother, Lakshmi of all blessings, come
Purandara Dasa
How the vrata is done
- The kalashaFilled with rice or water, topped with a coconut, and dressed as the goddess.
- DorabandhanaA yellow thread of nine knots is tied on the wrist.
- NaivedyaHolige, kadubu, chitranna, kosambari and payasa.
- Arishina-kumkumaMarried women are invited and given turmeric, kumkum, bangles and a blouse piece.
Why this date
In Karnataka Varamahalakshmi Vrata is the Friday on or immediately before the full moon of Shravana.
Varamahalakshmi Vrata in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Friday | |
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Friday | |
| 2028 | Friday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Friday |
More Kannada festivals
28 AugustNoola Hunnimeನೂಲ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ
4 SeptemberSri Krishna Janmashtamiಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಜನ್ಮಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
14 SeptemberGowri Ganesha Habbaಗೌರಿ ಗಣೇಶ ಹಬ್ಬ
29 JulyGuru Purnimaಗುರು ಪೂರ್ಣಿಮೆ
25 JulyPrathama Ekadashiಪ್ರಥಮ ಏಕಾದಶಿ
19 OctoberDurgashtamiದುರ್ಗಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
Where to see Varamahalakshmi Vrata
In Karnataka
- Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi TempleKarnatakaThe most visited Lakshmi temple in the state, near Tumakuru.
- Mookambika Temple, KollurKarnatakaThe goddess as Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati in one.
- K. R. Market, BengaluruKarnatakaThe city's flower market in the week of the festival.
Across India
- KolhapurMaharashtraMahalakshmi's ancient seat, much visited from Karnataka.
- TiruchanurAndhra PradeshThe temple of Padmavati, at the foot of the Tirumala hills.
- ChennaiTamil NaduThe temple of the eight Lakshmis on the beach.