Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers, seeks guidance from Lord Krishna on a ritual that could help him recover the wealth and prosperity lost during his gambling with the Kauravas. In response, Lord Krishna recommends the Mahalakshmi Vrat, a sacred fast and ritual dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi. This powerful puja is believed to bless the devotee with divine grace, restoring health, wealth, prosperity, familial harmony, and even a kingdom, through the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
Goddess Lakshmi is revered as the embodiment of wealth, abundance, and prosperity. Mahalakshmi Vrat is performed to invoke her blessings, ensuring prosperity in both personal and professional aspects of life.
Timings of Maha Lakshmi Vratam in 2024
Mahalakshmi Vrat typically begins on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon phase) in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September), according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This ritual is observed for 16 consecutive days and culminates on Krishna Ashtami during Ashwin month (as per Purnimanta calendar followed in North India).
New York
September 10th to September 24th
India
September 11th to September 24th
Maha Lakshmi Vrat Rituals
1. Clean Your Home and Office Daily
Goddess Lakshmi’s ultimate purpose is to be with Lord Vishnu (her consort), who symbolizes purity and cleanliness. She resides only in places where her consort is honored. Since Vishnu represents purity, it is essential to maintain cleanliness in your surroundings. Make it a daily practice to clean your home and workspace, especially during this 16-day period, to invite the goddess’s grace.
2. Chant Mantras to Honor Goddess Lakshmi
The align27 app provides 16 powerful mantras, one for each day of this sacred period, to help you connect with and honor Goddess Lakshmi. You can find these mantras in the Rituals section of the app.
3. Light a Lamp Daily in the Southeast
Light a lamp every day facing the southeast direction, which represents Agni (the fire element) and the planet Venus, both connected to Goddess Lakshmi. This will bring prosperity and abundance and attract the goddess’s presence into your life.
4. Wash Your Feet Before Sleep
Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean, which corresponds to the 12th house in Vedic astrology. The planet Venus, closely associated with Lakshmi, becomes exalted (happiest and strongest) in Pisces, the natural 12th house of the zodiac. The 12th house governs feet and sleep, while Venus represents the water element (Jala Tattva) and purity. By washing your feet before bed, you invoke the exaltation of Venus, which brings abundance, comfort, creativity, and wealth.
5. Offer Cardamom to Goddess Lakshmi During Pisces Ascendant
Each day, when the sign of Pisces is ascending in the sky, offer a few cardamom pods to Goddess Lakshmi. This approximately two-hour period, when Pisces is rising, is available on the align27 app, providing a precise time to perform this offering.
