Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat: vidhi, katha and rules
Goddess Lakshmi · Every Friday
Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat is a Friday vrat devoted to Goddess Lakshmi. Many women, and some men too, keep it for a set number of Fridays, often 11 or 21. Families commonly keep it praying for peace, comfort and plenty at home.
🗓 Coming dates (Delhi)
- Friday, 13 November 2026
- Friday, 20 November 2026
- Friday, 27 November 2026
- Friday, 4 December 2026
- Friday, 11 December 2026
- Friday, 18 December 2026
- Friday, 25 December 2026
- Friday, 1 January 2027
Next Shukla paksha begins around Tuesday, 10 November
How it is kept (vidhi)
- After the morning bath, take a sankalp for the number of Fridays you plan to keep.
- In the evening, place a picture of Maa Lakshmi on a clean red cloth, with a kalash of water beside it.
- Many families place a gold or silver ornament, or a coin, in a small bowl on the kalash.
- Offer flowers, kumkum, rice and a sweet, often kheer, and light a ghee diya.
- Read or listen to the Vaibhav Lakshmi katha, then do the aarti.
- Share the prasad with the family, then have your meal.
Common practices
- Many people fast through the day and eat once, after the evening puja.
- Those who can't keep a full fast often take fruit or milk.
- Traditionally, the puja is done in the evening, after sunset.
- A calm and loving mood at home is seen as part of the vrat.
The katha
Long ago, in a busy town, lived a woman named Sheela and her husband. They were simple people who kept God in their hearts. In time, the husband fell into the wrong company. He began to gamble and drink, and slowly the household savings were gone. Troubles came to the home, and Sheela felt very alone.
Still, Sheela held on to her faith. One day an elderly woman visited her, spoke kindly, and told her about the Friday vrat of Maa Lakshmi. Sheela took a sankalp for 21 Fridays and kept it with a quiet, steady heart.
Week by week, things began to change. Her husband started to see what he had been doing. He left his old habits, found honest work, and the home slowly filled with peace and plenty again. On the last Friday, Sheela did the udyapan and gave copies of the vrat book to other women, so they too could know of it.
Families tell this story to remember that patience and devotion can help a home find its way back to good days.
Retold in our own words from the traditional story.
Udyapan
On the last Friday of the sankalp, many families do the udyapan. Seven or more married women or young girls are invited, served kheer or prasad, and given a small gift and a copy of the vrat book. Some families keep it simpler, and that is perfectly fine too.
Questions
- How many Fridays is the Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat kept?
- Most families take a sankalp of 11 or 21 Fridays. Some choose another number. Traditions differ from home to home, so you can pick what feels right for you.
- What if I skip a Friday during travel, illness or periods?
- Many families simply continue on the next Friday. The skipped Friday is not counted, but the count you have already made stays. You can decide what works for you.
- When is the udyapan done?
- Usually on the last Friday of the sankalp, along with that day's puja.
This information is awaiting review by a pandit. Traditions differ by family and region.