Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

On the third day of Diwali, people perform Lakshmi puja. The day is most important as it is entirely devoted to the adulation of Goddess Laxmi. On this very day the sun enters in its second course & passes Libra that is signified by the scale or balance. Therefore, the design of Libra is said to have the balancing of accounts & their closing. Besides the fact that the day falls on the darkest fortnight (Amavasya), it is regarded as the most propitious.

The day signifying Lakshmi Puja falls on Amavasya. The strains of blissful bell ringing and drums float from the places of worship as the priest invokes Lakshmi in an astonishing sacred ‘pouring-in’ of his heart. In a moment that unfathomable darkness is pierced by immense rays of light for just a moment & the next moment a combustion of light moves down to earth from the heaven as shimmering footed Deep-Lakshmi alights on earth in all her divine glory amidst chanting of mantras and Vedic hymns.

An ambrosial light of knowledge fallen upon humanity & this self-enlightenment is articulated through the illuminating lamps that light the houses of people. It is said that on this day Deity Laxmi walks through the lush fields & loiters through the bylanes & pours her blessings upon people.

Lakshmi Puja or the adulation of the Deity of wealth is the foremost occasion of Diwali in North and West India. It is tremendously significant to keep the houses clean and light diyas on Diwali. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi likes cleanliness and she visits the houses most that are clean. This is the foremost reason why broom is revered. Lamps are lighted in the evening to welcome the Deity. This is believed that lighting the lamps will light up her path.

Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is a combination of worship of five deities - in the beginning of puja, Lord Ganehsa is worshipped as Vighnaharta. Goddess Laxmi is adulated in her three forms - Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali.

How to do Lakshmi Puja on Diwali at home?

Step 1: Essentials required for Lakshmi Puja on Diwali: Statues of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati, a red cloth, Aarti book, Sesame oil, cotton wicks, Nariyal, a Chowki, Puja Thali, Flowers, Roli, Akshat, Incense sticks, sweets, turmeric powder, betel nut, flower garlands, silver coin, fruits, and currency notes.

Step 2: Place the Chowki where Lakshmi Puja is to be performed. Cover it with a red cloth and place the divine idols on it.

Step 3: Decorate the Puja thali with a diya, flowers, incense sticks, and sweets.

Step 4: Put three heaps of rice in front of Goddess Lakshmi for Lord Vishnu, Lord Indra, and Lord Kuber.

Step 5: Begin your Diwali Puja by first offering your prayers to Lord Ganesha to eliminate all the hurdles in the Puja. Apply Tilak and Rice on his forehead and offer flowers, sweets, and a lit earthen lamp to him. Sing Ganesha Aarti to invoke God and seek his blessings.

Step 6: Commence your Lakshmi Puja and put kumkum and rice on the forehead of the Goddess. Chant Lakshmi Maa aarti and offer flowers, sweets, incense sticks, and silver coin, betel nut, turmeric, and currency notes to Goddess Lakshmi.

Step 7: Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu to seek his blessings along with Goddess Lakshmi. Offer flowers, incense sticks, sweets, fruits, and a lit earthen lamp to the Lord.

Step 8: Worship Lord Kuber with Goddess Lakshmi to seek blessings of wealth. Offer flowers, incense sticks, sweets, fruits, and a lit earthen lamp to the Lord.

Step 9: Seek prosperity in life by offering your prayers to Lord Indra along with Goddess Lakshmi. Offer flowers, incense sticks, sweets, fruits, and a lit earthen lamp to the Lord to seek his blessings.

Step 10: Lastly, worship Goddess Saraswati and apply kumkum and rice on her forehead to seek her blessings of wisdom and knowledge. Offer flowers, incense sticks, sweets, fruits, and a lit earthen lamp to the Goddess to seek her blessings.

Lakshmi Puja 2024 Shubh Muhurat & Timings