August 08 : Varalakshmi vratham or Varalakshmi Pooja, celebrated in the honour of Varalakshmi - a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi, falls on August 09, Friday this year.
In most parts of the country, Varalakshmi vratham is observed on the second Friday or on the Friday just before Poornima (full moon) of Shravana month of Hindu calendar (Aadi month in the Tamil calendar).
Varalakshmi vratham is predominantly a women's fasting festival observed mostly by married women. It is believed that worshipping Varalakshmi on this day is equivalant to offering prayers to Ashtalakshmi - the eight Goddesses of Love, Wealth, Strength, Peace, Fame, Pleasure, Earth and Learning.
In order to ensure blessing from the Goddess, timely offering of pooja and worship rituals is highly recommended.
Here is the Lakshmi puja muhurat timings for major south Indian cities:
| Lakshmi Pooja Muhuratham | Bangalore | Chennai | Hyderabad | Visakhapatanam |
| Simha Lagna Pooja Muhuratam | 06:43 AM to 08:46 AM | 06:32 AM to 08:35 AM | 06:35 AM to 08:42 AM | 06:16 AM to 08:22 AM |
| Vrishchika Lagna Pooja Muhuratam | 12:54 PM to 03:06 PM | 12:43 PM to 02:55 PM | 12:57 PM to 03:10 PM | 12:38 PM to 02:52 PM |
| Kumbha Lagna Pooja Muhuratam | 07:06 PM to 08:48 PM | 06:56 PM to 08:37 PM | 07:07 PM to 08:45 PM | 06:49 PM to 08:26 PM |
| Vrishabha Lagna Pooja Muhuratam (Aug 10th) | 12:16 AM to 02:18 AM | 12:05 AM to 02:07 AM | 12:06 AM to 02:07 AM | 11:47 PM to 01:47 AM |
