The Mahalakshmi Vrat festival is a highly significant and celebrated event in Hindu tradition, dedicated to the worship of Maa Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, fortune, and wealth. This 16-day fasting festival commences on the Shukla Paksha’s asthami tithi in the Bhadrapada month and concludes on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in the Ashwin month. This year, Mahalakshmi Vrat festival begins on September 22, four days after Ganesh Chaturthi.
Here are the key details and rituals associated with the Mahalakshmi Vrat festival in 2023:
Dates and Muhurat for Mahalaxmi Vrat 2023:
- Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami Tithi starts on September 22, 2023, at 01:35 pm.
- Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami Tithi ends on September 23, 2023, at 12:17 pm.
- Mahalakshmi fast duration: September 22, 2023, to October 6, 2023.
- Morning time for rituals: 07:40 am to 09:11 am (on September 22, 2023).
- Noon Muhurat: 12:14 pm to 01:45 pm (on September 22, 2023).
- Night time for rituals: 09:16 pm to 10:45 pm (on September 22, 2023).
Significance of Mahalaxmi Vrat 2023:
The primary significance of Mahalakshmi Vrat is to seek the blessings of Goddess Mahalaxmi. Observing this fast on this auspicious day is believed to bring fortune, wealth, and success. During this period, Goddess Mahalakshmi is worshipped in all eight of her forms. Northern Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh observe this Vrat with utmost devotion.
Rituals for Mahalaxmi Vrat 2023:
- Devotees who observe the fast wake up early and take a holy bath.
- An idol of Goddess Lakshmi is placed on a chowki (a small wooden platform), and a Kalash (a metal pot) filled with water and rice is kept in front of the goddess.
- The Kalash is adorned with betel and mango leaves, and a coconut is placed on top.
- According to the ritual, a red thread with sixteen knots is tied on the left hand of the devotee.
- Druva grass is kept during the puja, and it is dipped in water after the puja is completed. A few drops of this water are then sprinkled all over the body.
These rituals and observances during Mahalaxmi Vrat are meant to seek the blessings of Goddess Mahalaxmi and bring prosperity and wealth into the devotee’s life. It is a time of devotion and spiritual reflection in honor of the goddess of wealth and fortune.
