Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals worldwide, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. On this auspicious day, families gather to honor Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity, and fortune, by performing the Lakshmi Puja. This puja is believed to invite peace, wealth, and prosperity into one’s home, filling the year ahead with blessings.
Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to performing the Lakshmi Puja at home, ensuring the ritual is carried out with respect and devotion.
1. Clean and purify your home
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and purity, is said to reside only in clean and well-maintained spaces. Start by thoroughly cleaning your home, especially the area where you intend to perform the puja. Clear out clutter and organize your space as a sign of respect and to invite positive energy. Once you’ve cleaned, sprinkle Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges) in each room, purifying the environment. Many people also use incense or dhoop to cleanse the air, which is believed to repel negative energies.
2. Set up the puja platform
Next, choose a quiet and clean location to set up your puja platform. Spread a red cotton cloth over a raised table or on the floor in your designated puja area. Red is considered auspicious and is often used in ceremonies to attract positive vibrations. In the center of this cloth, place a small handful of grains, symbolizing abundance, fertility, and stability, creating a sacred base for the ritual.
3. Place and prepare the kalash
The kalash, or sacred pot, is a central component of Hindu rituals, symbolizing life and the universe. Place the kalash on top of the grains in the center of the puja platform. Fill the pot three-quarters full with fresh water, and add a supari (betel nut), a marigold flower, a coin, and some rice grains. Then, arrange five mango leaves around the mouth of the kalash in a circular pattern. This setup is believed to represent creation and prosperity, drawing divine energy into your home.
4. Position the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
Place a beautiful idol or image of Goddess Lakshmi in the center of the platform, as she is the focus of the puja. To the right of her (South-West direction), place an idol of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, who is also worshiped during Diwali. In front of Lakshmi’s idol, create a small mound of rice grains in a plate, and draw a lotus using haldi (turmeric). On this lotus, place a few coins, symbolizing abundance and devotion.
5. Arrange business and wealth-related items
For business owners or professionals, Diwali is also an occasion to seek blessings for prosperity and success. Place your business books, wealth-related items, or any objects related to your career in front of the idols. This symbolic gesture represents your wish for financial stability and progress, invoking the goddess’s blessings for continued success and fortune.
6. Apply tilak and light diyas
Applying tilak (a red mark made with kumkum or sandalwood paste) to the idols, the kalash, and your own forehead is a gesture of respect and reverence. It signifies purity and devotion and helps create a connection with the divine. Following this, light the diyas (oil lamps) around the puja area, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and inviting divine energy into the space. Many people use ghee lamps or sesame oil lamps, as they are believed to attract blessings and dispel negativity.
7. Offer flowers
Flowers play an important role in Hindu rituals, symbolizing beauty, purity, and devotion. Offer fresh flowers, such as marigolds, to both Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, placing some at the base of the idols and holding a few in your hands for prayer. Fresh, vibrant flowers are believed to attract positive energy and divine blessings during the ritual.
8. Recite mantras
With flowers in your hands, join them in a namaskar, close your eyes, and recite Diwali puja mantras dedicated to the deities. Common mantras include the Shree Lakshmi Mantra, Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhayo Namah, and the Ganesh Mantra, Om Gan Ganapataye Namah. These mantras, chanted with focus and devotion, are believed to invoke divine energy, inviting peace, prosperity, and protection into your home. After reciting the mantras, offer the flowers to the idols.
9. Offer water and panchamrita to the goddess
Offering water to the goddess is a gesture of purification and devotion. Bathe the Lakshmi idol with plain water, followed by panchamrita (a mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar), representing nourishment, purity, and sweetness. After this ritual cleansing, wipe the idol gently and place it back on the platform.
10. Offer garlands and burn incense
Decorate the idols with garlands, especially around the neck of Goddess Lakshmi. Garlands made of marigolds or fresh flowers are traditional and represent beauty and devotion. Apply haldi, kumkum, and rice grains to the idol as a mark of respect. Then, light incense sticks or dhoop, allowing the fragrant smoke to fill the air. This not only purifies the space but is also believed to attract divine energies.
11. Present fruits, sweets, and symbolic items
Offer coconut, supari, betel leaves, fresh fruits, and sweets such as ladoos or modaks to the goddess. These offerings represent nourishment, purity, and gratitude, inviting the goddess’s blessings into your life. Place additional flowers and coins before the idol, symbolizing abundance and your desire for prosperity.
12. Perform the aarti
The aarti, or final prayer, is the most important part of the Lakshmi Puja, expressing gratitude and devotion to the goddess. Place a diya (oil lamp) on a plate, known as a thali, and circle it in front of the idol, moving clockwise. Ring a puja bell to create a sacred sound that resonates through the space, purifying and uplifting the energy in the room. Chant or sing the Lakshmi aarti as you perform this ritual, allowing its vibrations to fill the environment with positivity.
Additional Tips for a Blissful Diwali Puja
Dress traditionally: Wearing traditional attire in clean, fresh clothing is recommended, symbolizing respect and readiness for the goddess’s blessings.Maintain silence and devotion: Ensure the environment is quiet and serene, helping you connect with the spiritual aspects of the puja.Use a calm, respectful approach: This ritual is as much about inner peace as it is about material blessings. Conduct each step mindfully and respectfully.Performing Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is not only a way to honor the goddess of wealth but also an opportunity to cultivate gratitude, focus on family, and invite harmony into the home. By following these steps, you create a sacred, loving atmosphere for welcoming Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings, illuminating your life with prosperity and peace throughout the year.
Krishna Bhajan: Govardhan Pooja Special Krishna Ji Ke Bhajan ‘Shree Krishna Amritwani’ sung by Kavita Paudwal