Shravana Shukravaar Mahalakshmi Puja: Invoke Devi Mahalakshmi's Blessings on the Holiest Fridays of Shravana Maasa

The Divine Story: Why Shravana and Devi Mahalakshmi are Bound Together

Shravana Maasa carries a theological significance that few other months hold, and it flows directly from the nakshatra after which the month is named. According to the Skanda Purana, Bhagwan Shiva Himself extols the greatness of this month, describing it as one where spiritual practices bring extraordinary punya. The month is named after Shravana Nakshatra, which is presided over by Bhagwan Vishnu, and this alone makes the month sacred to both Shiva and Vishnu.

Devi Mahalakshmi is described across Puranic tradition as eternally inseparable from Bhagwan Vishnu, seated ever beside Him as His Shakti. Wherever Vishnu is worshipped with devotion, Devi Mahalakshmi's blessings naturally follows. This is why Shravana Maasa, sanctified through its connection to Vishnu, becomes an equally powerful time to invoke Devi Mahalakshmi.

The second thread of this story comes from the weekday itself. Shukravara has, across Puranic and Agamic tradition, been dedicated to Devi Mahalakshmi's worship, much as Somvara belongs to Bhagwan Shiva. When a Friday falls within Shravana Maasa, two independently sacred forces meet at the same point in time, the sanctity of the month and the sanctity of the day. Devotees have long regarded this convergence as one of the most favourable windows in the year to seek Devi Mahalakshmi's blessings for prosperity, harmony and blessings.

Blessings of Worshipping Devi Mahalakshmi on Shravan Shukravaar

• Ashta Lakshmi blessings: invites the blessings of Ashta Lakshmi, Her eight forms representing wealth, courage, grain, knowledge, progeny, valour, victory and patience
• Financial ease: helps remove obstacles that block income and wealth, opening the path to steady abundance
• Family harmony: brings peace, warmth and togetherness within the household
• Career and business growth: supports success in righteous professional and business pursuits
• Better health and energy: promotes physical wellbeing and a steady flow of positive energy
• Karma purification: sincere devotion is believed to soften the effects of past karmas
• Inner peace: nurtures gratitude, contentment and steady spiritual growth
• Auspicious home environment: fills the household with positive vibrations and Devi's continued blessings

Detailed Seva Descriptions

1. Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka: Devi Mahalakshmi is bathed with panchamrut, a sacred combination of milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar, followed by other dhravya offerings. This abhisheka is considered one of the most purifying rituals in Vedic worship, believed to wash away obstacles and invite Her blessings directly into the devotee's life.
2. Kumkum Shatanamavali Archana: A hundred sacred names of Devi Mahalakshmi are chanted while kumkum is offered at Her feet, one name at a time. This archana is a deeply devotional practice believed to draw Her attention to the specific concerns and prayers of the devotee performing the seva.
3. Alankara Seva: Devi Mahalakshmi is adorned with silk vastra, ornaments and flowers, restoring Her form to the fullness described in scripture. Alankara Seva is offered with the belief that beautifying the divine form invites beauty, dignity and prosperity into the devotee's own life.
4. Akhanda Deepa Seva: An unbroken lamp is kept burning before Devi Mahalakshmi throughout the puja. Light in Vedic tradition represents knowledge and the removal of darkness, and an akhanda deepa is believed to keep away struggle and negativity from the devotee's path.
5. Lotus Flower and Lotus Flower Haar Samarpan: The lotus is Devi Mahalakshmi's most beloved flower, and offering both single lotus blooms and a lotus garland is considered especially pleasing to Her. This seva is associated with purity of heart and the blossoming of spiritual growth.
6. Coconut and Phal Naivedya: Coconut and seasonal fruits are offered as naivedya after the abhisheka and archana. This offering is a gesture of gratitude, believed to bring contentment, good health and wellbeing to the devotee's family.
7. Mangala Aarti with Vedic Hymns: The puja concludes with Mangala Aarti accompanied by Vedic hymns dedicated to Devi Mahalakshmi. This closing ritual is believed to seal the puja's benefits, filling the temple and, by extension, the devotee's home with auspicious energy.

How This Puja is Performed

1. Sankalpa: the puja begins with a sankalpa, where the devotee's name, gotra and specific prayer are formally announced before Devi Mahalakshmi
2. Panchamrut and Dhravya Abhisheka: Devi Mahalakshmi is bathed with panchamrut and other sacred substances
3. Alankara Seva: Devi Mahalakshmi is dressed and adorned after the abhisheka
4. Kumkum Shatanamavali Archana: the hundred names of Devi are chanted with kumkum offering
5. Akhanda Deepa Seva: a continuous lamp is lit and maintained through the puja
6. Lotus Flower and Haar Samarpan: lotus flowers and a lotus garland are offered
7. Coconut and Phal Naivedya: coconut and fruits are offered as prasad
8. Mangala Aarti: the puja concludes with aarti and Vedic hymns

This entire sequence is performed by qualified priests at Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Bangalore, following traditional Agamic and Vedic procedure.

Who Should Perform This Puja

• Devotees seeking financial stability and steady growth in income
• Married couples and families wishing to strengthen harmony at home
• Business owners and professionals seeking success in their work
• Students and job seekers wanting Devi's blessings before important milestones
• Anyone wishing to reduce the effects of accumulated karma through sincere devotion
• NRIs across the USA, UK, Canada, UAE, Australia and other countries who wish to have this puja performed on their behalf at Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Bangalore, with the sankalpa taken in their name