Performing Lakshmi Puja is an important Diwali or Deepavali custom. Many people wonder how to do Lakshmi Puja at home, however there are regional variations that make the answer difficult to give. Nonetheless, this tutorial offers a straightforward method for carrying out Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. In today’s digital age, you have the option to access affordable online puja services, combining convenience with traditional practices.
In 2023, Diwali Lakshmi Puja happens on November 12. The first and foremost step is to clean the house. During the Puja, we invite Goddess Lakshmi into our home, and she likes everything to be neat and clean. In some communities, even the broom is worshiped on Lakshmi Puja day. This tradition symbolizes the importance of cleanliness.
Three forms of Shakti
On this day, three forms of Shakti are worshiped – Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi, and Goddess Durga. During the puja, Lord Ganesh and Lord Kubera are also worshiped. In every puja, offering customary tributes to Lord Ganesha is an essential tradition. Lord Kubera is the treasurer of the Gods, and represents wealth. In homes, the locker or safe where gold and currency are stored symbolizes Lord Kubera’s presence.
Essential Items for Lakshmi Puja: A Checklist
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- Idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi
- curd
- Kalash
- Milk
- Mango leaves
- Honey
- Ghee
- Puffed rice
- Usual puja Sweets
- Coriander seeds
- Cumin seeds and other daily puja items
After all the essential Items for Lakshmi Puja, Now let’s understand the stepwise Lakshmi Puja process. You should explore the Hindu Online Puja Services to gain a new perspective of Hindu tradition and custom.
Lakshmi Puja Process
- Select a dedicated place for the puja.
- Place a clean cloth on the chosen spot and create a bed of rice.
- Position a Kalash (pot) on top of the rice bed.
- Fill the Kalash with water, filling it to about 75% of its capacity.
- Inside the Kalash, add a betel nut, a flower, a clean coin, and some rice.
- Arrange fresh mango leaves around the opening of the Kalash.
- Set a Thaali (a small plain plate) on the Kalash.
- On the Thaali, create a lotus design using turmeric powder and place the idol or a small photograph of Goddess Lakshmi in the center.
- Arrange some coins on the Thaali.
- On the right side of the Kalash, position the idol of Lord Ganesha.
- Optionally, you can also place idols of Saraswathi and any other preferred deities.
To create a peaceful and serene atmosphere, the best approach is to gently close your eyes and engage in meditation on the sacred sound of ‘Om.’
- Purify all the puja items by sprinkling water over them.
- Perform the puja on the Kalash with turmeric, kumkum, and flowers.
Finally, Light a lamp, take some flowers and grains in your hands, close your eyes, and meditate on Goddess Lakshmi. You are calling upon her divine presence right now. If you are familiar with mantras, you can chant them. On the other hand, just focus on Goddess Lakshmi during your meditation. This simple Sanskrit mantra is offered to Goddess Lakshmi.
Namosthesthu Maha Maye,
Shree padee, sura poojithe,
Shanka, Chakra, Gadha hasthe,
Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe
- Sprinkle the flowers and rice over the idol of Goddess Lakshmi.
- Carefully remove the idol from the Kalash and place it on a Thaali.
- Clean the idol using water, followed by a purification process with milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar. Conclude the cleaning with a final rinse of water.
- Return the idol to its place on the Kalash.
- Offer garlands made of marigolds or bel tree leaves, apply sandalwood paste and kumkum, and provide other daily puja essentials. Light incense and agarbattis.
- Present offerings of coconut, fruits, sweets, betel nuts, and betel leaves.
- Include Batasha sweets, puffed rice, coriander, and cumin seeds in your offerings.
- Conclude by performing a silent Arati for Goddess Lakshmi and meditating on her divine presence. Take a portion of the ‘prasad’ (offering) that will remain for an extended period and place it where you typically store ornaments and cash.
On this day, businesspeople worship the account books alongside Goddess Lakshmi. This guideline helps simplify and remember the essential steps in the puja process for easy and accurate performance. In case some of the required items are not readily available, you can still keep the house and surroundings clean. If performing the puja is not possible, you can simply meditate on Goddess Lakshmi, regardless of your location. Consider exploring online Hawan & Yagna Services, or engage in other rituals, to introduce a fresh and significant perspective into your life’s journey.
Also read: Marriage Timing According to Vedic Astrology