Mahalakshmi Vrat is a Hindu religious festival that commemorates the goddess Mahalakshmi. Lakshmi, the goddess of riches and fortune, is the main focus of this celebration. A sixteen-day Mahalakshmi Vrat is performed from the Shukla Paksha Ashtami (8th day during the waxing phase of the moon) according to the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada to the Krishna Paksha Ashtami (8th day during the waning phase of the moon) in the Ashwin month.
The devotees fast for eight days after Ganesh Chaturthi (the ancestor-honouring fortnight). A stringent fast is performed in Mahalakshmi Vrat by Hindu worshippers to the goddess Lakshmi in order to gain her benevolent blessings. It is commemorated with great enthusiasm and devotion in the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh during the month of Ashwin.
Mahalakshmi Vrat 2023
Mahalakshmi Vrat begins on Friday, September 22, 2023, and ends on Friday, October 6, 2023.
Also Read Important Mahalakshmi Temple to Visit during the festival
Mahalakshmi Vrat 2023 Date and Tithi
- Ashtami Tithi Starts: 01:35 p.m on September 22, 2023
- Ashtami Tithi Ends: 12:17 p.m on September 23, 2023
Puja Offerings
lotus and rose flowers, fruits like custard apples and plums, rose or sandalwood attar, cow ghee, cane, Kamal Gatta, vertical turmeric, Bilvapatra, Panchamrita, Ganga Jal, etc.
Also Read: Importance of Maa Lakshmi Puja 2023
Significance of Mahalakshmi Vrat
Goddess Mahalakshmi is often worshipped for wealth and prosperity. According to one of the legends, when Pandava king Yudhishthira lost all his wealth, he begin to ponder on the ways to regain his wealth. To help him, Lord Krishna suggested observing the Mahalakshmi Vrat for sixteen consecutive days. There are several other popular legends associated with the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Goddess Mahalakshmi is commonly honoured as a deity of riches and success by Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, when Pandava King Yudhishthira started thinking about how he might get back his wealth after losing it all, Lord Krishna advised him to keep the Mahalakshmi Vrat for sixteen consecutive days in order to help him out. It is also believed that, when Kunti, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari went to seek blessings from Vedvyas to ensure peace and happiness in their kingdom, he showered his blessings on them and suggested observing the Mahalakshmi fast for 16 consecutive days. It’s claimed that the Gajalakshmi incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi is a sign of power and wealth. It’s an interesting legend that, to help his mother Kunti observe the Mahalakshmi Vrat, Arjuna had begged his father Lord Indra to bring Airavat (the great elephant) to Earth.
Also Read: Lakshmi Mantras to Attract More Wealth
Rituals For Mahalakshmi Vrat
Married couples and married ladies conduct a fast on this day to honour Maa Mahalakshmi. Maa Mahalaxmi’s grace and blessings can be sought by conducting the Mahalakshmi puja. Goddess Mahalakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu and she is regarded as the symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Also Read: Why Buy Gold on Akshaya Tritiya to Attract Wealth
It is imperative to follow a set of rules and rituals to complete the vrat. There are 7 rules of the Mahalakshmi Vrat, which are as follows:
- Wake up early in the morning, take a bath and clean the puja place.
- It is a day-long fast so take Sankalp for it.
- Install an idol of Goddess Lakshmi on a platform.
- Non Vegetarian food should be strictly avoided.
- Then an earthen pot (kalash)is prepared that should be filled with water and decorated with betel leaves.
- A coconut should be placed on top of the Kalash – A red cloth must be tied around the Kalash with a red thread.
- It should be further decorated with four horizontal lines, a swastika with red kumkum. These indicate Chatur Veda, symbolizing purity and prosperity.
- Coins and rice must be placed in the water of the Kalash.
- The Kalash is now ready to be worshipped. Now the Kalash should be placed in front of the idol of Goddess Lakshmi.
- Also, the lighting of diyas and the offering of fruits and flowers is important. Mantras like Satanamavali, Lakshmi Sahasranama stotra, and Lakshmi Ashtottara should be performed.
- The puja is concluded by performing an Aarti.
- If you’re going to serve bhog, you have to offer at least nine different types of food. Both Sweet and savoury meals should be served in combination.
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