Varalakshmi Vratham return gifts: a lotus for Lakshmi in every sumangali's thamboolamVaralakshmi Vratham return gifts: a lotus for Lakshmi in every sumangali's thamboolam

Lakshmi's flower, for every guest

Varalakshmi Vratham, on the Friday before Shravana Purnima, is when married women in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu (and as Varamahalakshmi in Karnataka) worship Goddess Lakshmi for the family's wellbeing. After the pooja the host invites sumangalis home and gives each one thamboolam: betel leaves and nuts, haldi, kumkum, fruit, bangles, a blouse piece, and usually one small return gift.

That small gift is often linked to Lakshmi. The lotus is her flower, and a diya is her light. Raajkosh makes both as hand-poured soy wax candles, and for 10 gifts or more we pack them with your name on the tag, deliver to your home and give a GST invoice. Ask at raajkosh.com/corporate and choose "Festive gifting" or "Something else".

Pieces that belong in a vratham thamboolam

Shop prices; your quote confirms the final price per gift with tags and delivery.

How many and how much

Most households invite between 10 and 50 sumangalis, often family, neighbours and friends from the colony. At shop prices:

• 11 Lotus Candles (many families give in odd numbers): Rs 3,839
• 21 Lotus Candles: Rs 7,329
• 25 sets of Diya Candles: Rs 11,225
• 5 pairs of Urli Candles for elders: Rs 3,495

Your quote confirms the final price per gift with tags and delivery. If you invite fewer than 10 guests, buy straight from the Pooja and Mandir chamber and add a gift note.

Putting the thamboolam together

• The candle goes in last, on top, so the haldi and kumkum packets do not stain it.
• One gift per sumangali. Unlike a wedding, the gift goes to each woman, not each family.
• Keep a few spare. Neighbours and relatives often bring a friend, and nobody wants to send a sumangali home with an empty bag. Two or three extra Lotus Candles cover it.
• Match the colour to the saree tradition. Red and green for a traditional home, coral pink for a lighter, younger look.
• Elders first. Give the Urli Candles or Shankh Candle to the eldest women, then the Lotus Candle to the rest.
• The tag. Your name and a short line such as "Varalakshmi Vratham, with blessings". Send the wording in your enquiry; the quote confirms the tag.
• Telugu, Kannada or Tamil script on tags is something to ask about in the enquiry; we confirm what we can do in the quote.

For haldi kumkum gatherings at other times of the year, we have a separate page on haldi kumkum return gifts.

What else hosts put in the bag

Common Varalakshmi return gifts are steel or silver-plated kumkum boxes, small Lakshmi coins, steel plates and bowls, glass bangles, mirrors and combs, blouse pieces, and small books of the Lakshmi Ashtottaram. These come from a puja store or a local market. A lotus candle sits beside them as the decorative piece.

Order early for August

The vratham falls in the monsoon month of Shravana, usually in August. Order well before it: the lead time depends on the quantity and your date and is confirmed in the quote, and we cannot promise a delivery date.

1. Tell us the number of gifts (from 10, no minimum order value), budget per gift, vratham date, tag text and address at raajkosh.com/corporate.
2. Get a quote with pieces, tags, timeline and price with GST.
3. Approve and pay. Prepaid, as set out in the quote; no cash on delivery.
4. Delivered with a GST invoice.

Personalised gifts are not returnable unless damaged, defective or wrong; report damage within 24 hours. On the tag: never leave a burning diya unattended, and keep each burn to 3 to 4 hours.