Diwali, the festival of lights, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, and Lakshmi Puja is one of its most sacred rituals. Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fortune, this puja is traditionally observed on the third day of Diwali, also known as Amavasya, or the new moon night. This article will walk you through the Lakshmi Puja rituals and traditions, helping you celebrate with the right spirit and meaning. If you're looking to perform a Diwali puja with ease, the Dharmik App allows you to book a Lakshmi Puja in
Ayodhya and receive blessed prasad boxes right at your doorstep.
Importance of Lakshmi Puja During Diwali
Lakshmi Puja is the centerpiece of Diwali celebrations. On this auspicious day, devotees invite Goddess Lakshmi into their homes to bless them with abundance, success, and happiness. According to mythology, Goddess Lakshmi visits homes that are clean, well-lit, and filled with love and devotion, blessing them with prosperity for the coming year.
This puja is a reminder to focus on gratitude, celebrate material and spiritual wealth, and cleanse our surroundings and hearts. It is believed that with her blessings, families can prosper and experience growth in their endeavors.
Preparations for Lakshmi Puja
To properly honor Goddess Lakshmi, it’s essential to prepare your home and altar with care. Here are the traditional steps to get ready for this auspicious ritual:
Cleanliness and Decoration: It’s customary to clean the entire house, especially the area where the puja will be conducted, as it symbolizes removing negativity. Decorate your home with rangoli designs, fresh flowers, and clay diyas (lamps), especially at the entrance to invite positive energy and wealth.
Creating the Puja Altar: Arrange the puja altar (also called the puja sthaan) with pictures or idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, and other deities. Place a kalash (holy pot) with water and mango leaves as a symbol of prosperity. Offerings such as rice, betel leaves, sweets, and coins are placed near the altar.
Set Up Diya Lamps and Candles: Lighting diyas represents the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Make sure to have enough diyas around the altar and in the main parts of the house, especially at doorways and windows, to illuminate your space and attract Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings.
Step-by-Step Lakshmi Puja Ritual
Each step in Lakshmi Puja has specific meanings and intentions. Here’s a guide to conducting the ritual with sincerity and devotion.
1. Invoking Lord Ganesha
Every puja in Hindu tradition begins with invoking Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Light an incense stick, offer flowers and sweets, and chant the Ganesh mantra, asking him to bless your puja and remove any hurdles in the process.
2. Offering Prayers to Goddess Lakshmi
Once Ganesha’s blessings are sought, the main part of the Lakshmi Puja is dedicated to worshiping Goddess Lakshmi. Begin by offering flowers, vermillion, turmeric, rice grains, and sweets to the goddess. Recite her mantras and hymns, like the “Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali,” which lists her 108 names, to invite her grace and blessings.
- Lakshmi Aarti: Singing the Lakshmi Aarti at the end of the prayer is a way to conclude the puja, filling the space with devotion and positivity. The aarti is often accompanied by clapping, which helps spread positive vibrations throughout the home.
3. Offering Wealth and Grains
It’s customary to offer coins, grains, and other symbols of wealth to the goddess, symbolizing abundance. Place coins and currency in front of the idol, and offer grains (like rice or wheat), which are symbolic of nourishment and prosperity.
4. Lighting the Diyas
As part of the Lakshmi Puja, lighting ghee lamps (diyas) and candles is essential. Arrange these around your altar and home, especially near doorways and windows, as it’s believed that the light will help Goddess Lakshmi find her way to your home. Allow the diyas to burn for as long as possible, ideally until the oil or ghee has completely burned out.
5. Performing Bhajans and Kirtan
Singing bhajans (devotional songs) dedicated to Lakshmi and Ganesha during the puja helps create a spiritual ambiance and strengthens the connection to the divine. Family members often gather around the altar and participate in singing or chanting together.
Special Traditions Associated with Lakshmi Puja
Each region in India has unique traditions related to Lakshmi Puja, adding to the richness of the ritual.
Annakut Offering: In some parts of India, devotees prepare a lavish feast, called Annakut or “mountain of food,” which they offer to the goddess. This custom is particularly popular in Gujarat.
Dhanteras Rituals: Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, involves purchasing new items, especially silver and gold, as a sign of prosperity. Families often use this as an opportunity to buy Lakshmi idols and coins that are later worshiped during Lakshmi Puja.
Toran and Mango Leaves: In many homes, fresh mango leaves or Torans (garlands) are hung at doorways to signify good fortune and welcome positive energy.
Final Blessing and Distribution of Prasad
The Lakshmi Puja is traditionally concluded with the distribution of prasad (blessed food offerings). Families share sweets, fruits, and other offerings as a sign of love and blessings from the goddess. This act also symbolizes sharing wealth and happiness with others.
Celebrate Diwali with Dharmik App’s Puja Services
If you’re looking to participate in a traditional Diwali puja remotely, consider using the Dharmik App. Dharmik App allows you to book Diwali pujas in sacred cities like Ayodhya and offers doorstep delivery of prasad boxes, helping you and your family partake in these auspicious rituals from anywhere.
Lakshmi Puja is more than a ritual; it’s a celebration of faith, gratitude, and hope for a prosperous future. By observing this tradition with devotion, families invite positive energies and blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, setting the stage for a blessed year ahead.