Lakshmi Puja
लक्ष्मी पूजा
Mythological Origin
The worship of Goddess Lakshmi on the darkest night of the year traces its origins to the great Samudra Manthan — the cosmic churning of the ocean of milk. When the Devas and Asuras, locked in an eternal struggle for supremacy, agreed to churn the Kshira Sagara using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vasuki the serpent as the rope, fourteen magnificent treasures emerged from the primordial waters. Among these divine ratnas arose Goddess Lakshmi, radiant and resplendent, seated upon a fully bloomed lotus, adorned with garlands of celestial flowers, her form illuminating all three worlds. The Devas and Asuras alike were entranced by her beauty and grace. Lakshmi, exercising her sovereign will, chose Lord Vishnu as her eternal consort, recognizing in him the qualities of dharma, compassion, and cosmic order. Vishnu placed her upon his chest, near his heart, where she resides eternally as Shri. The Puranas further narrate that on the Amavasya night of Kartik, Lakshmi descends to the earthly realm to survey her devotees. She enters homes that are clean, well-lit, and filled with devotion, bestowing upon them prosperity, fortune, and spiritual abundance. Homes shrouded in darkness, filth, or sloth are bypassed by the Goddess. This is why devotees illuminate their homes with rows of diyas, creating pathways of light to welcome the Goddess. The Padma Purana and Skanda Purana elaborate that Lakshmi is not merely the goddess of material wealth but of all forms of abundance — knowledge, courage, progeny, victory, and moksha — manifesting as Ashta Lakshmi, the eight forms of divine prosperity.
Step-by-Step Rituals
Step 1: Griha Shuddhi (Home Purification) — Begin days before by thoroughly cleaning the entire home, as Lakshmi favors cleanliness. On the day of puja, sprinkle Ganga jal in every room, light dhoop (incense), and draw rangoli patterns at the entrance using rice flour or colored powders to welcome the Goddess.
Step 2: Kalash Sthapana and Chowki Preparation — Place a clean wooden chowki (platform) covered with a red or yellow cloth. Establish a Kalash (sacred pot) filled with water, mango leaves, a coconut, and coins. Place the murti or image of Goddess Lakshmi at the center alongside Lord Ganesha (who is always worshipped first) and an image or murti of Lord Vishnu or Kubera.
Step 3: Shodashopachara Puja (Sixteen-step Worship) — Invoke Goddess Lakshmi through Avahana (invocation), offer Padyam (water for feet), Arghyam (water for hands), Achamaniyam (water for sipping), Snana (ritual bath with Panchamrita — milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar), Vastra (red silk cloth), Abharana (jewelry and ornaments), Gandha (sandalwood paste), Pushpa (red lotus and marigold flowers), Dhupa (incense), Deepa (ghee lamp), and Naivedya (food offerings).
Step 4: Lakshmi Mantra Japa and Stotra Recitation — Recite the Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names), Sri Suktam from the Rig Veda, Kanakadhara Stotram composed by Adi Shankaracharya, and the Lakshmi Gayatri mantra. Perform japa of 'Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namaha' using a Kamal Gatta (lotus seed) mala for 108 repetitions. Place account books, business ledgers, coins, and currency notes near the murti for blessings.
Step 5: Maha Aarti and Diya Lighting — Perform the Maha Aarti using a five-wick ghee lamp (panch-mukhi diya), circling it clockwise before the Goddess while singing the aarti 'Om Jai Lakshmi Mata.' Distribute prasad to all family members. Light diyas throughout the home — at the threshold, in every room, on windowsills, and on the rooftop — ensuring no corner remains in darkness. Burst firecrackers (where permitted) symbolizing the destruction of evil forces.
Symbolism
Lakshmi Puja on the Amavasya night carries profound symbolic meaning. The choice of the darkest night of the lunar month is deliberate — it represents the triumph of inner light over the deepest darkness of ignorance, greed, and spiritual poverty. The lit diyas are not merely decorative; each flame symbolizes the Atman (individual soul) illuminated by divine knowledge, and their collective radiance represents the community of seekers dispelling Avidya (ignorance). Goddess Lakshmi seated on the lotus signifies that true prosperity blooms even in the muddiest waters of worldly existence — one can attain wealth without being tainted by attachment. Her four arms represent the four Purusharthas: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (material prosperity), Kama (desire fulfilled through right means), and Moksha (liberation). The gold coins flowing from her hand signify that wealth follows naturally when one lives in alignment with Dharma. Worshipping Lakshmi alongside Ganesha represents the understanding that wisdom (Ganesha) must precede and guide prosperity (Lakshmi), lest wealth without discernment lead to ruin. The ritual cleaning of homes symbolizes the inner purification necessary to receive divine grace — Lakshmi cannot dwell where there is inner clutter of ego, jealousy, and dishonesty.
Regional Variations
North India
In Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Hindi heartland, Lakshmi Puja is the principal event of the five-day Diwali festival, performed on the Amavasya night. Families perform elaborate pujas with Ganesha-Lakshmi together, open new account books (Bahi Khata) for the business year, and exchange gifts and sweets. In many merchant communities (Marwari, Agarwal), this night marks the beginning of the new financial year. Gambling with cards or dice is considered auspicious as it is believed Goddess Parvati decreed that whoever gambles on Diwali night will prosper.
South India
In the southern states, Lakshmi Puja practices differ by sub-region. In Tamil Nadu, Lakshmi is worshipped during Diwali with elaborate kolam designs and oil baths at dawn. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the festival emphasizes Lakshmi Puja along with the worship of new clothes and gold. In Kerala, Lakshmi Puja is closely associated with Ashtami Rohini and special prayers at Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, where Vishnu reclines with Lakshmi. In Karnataka, Lakshmi Puja during Varamahalakshmi Vrata on a Friday in Shravana month is a major women-led festival.
East India
In Bengal, Lakshmi Puja is celebrated distinctly on Kojagari Purnima (Sharad Purnima, the full moon of Ashwin), not on Diwali Amavasya. Bengali households worship Lakshmi with alpana (rice-paste floor art) featuring owl and lotus motifs, and the Goddess is depicted with her vahana, the owl (Uluka). Flattened rice (chira) and coconut naru are signature offerings. In Odisha, Lakshmi Puja occurs every Thursday of Margashirsha month (Manabasa Gurubara) with women decorating floors with Jhoti Chita patterns. In Assam, Lakshmi Puja follows the Bengali tradition on Kojagari Purnima with community worship.
Diaspora Home Guide
Celebrating Lakshmi Puja abroad requires adaptation but loses none of its sanctity. Begin by thoroughly cleaning your home a few days prior — this is spiritually essential, not optional. Set up a dedicated puja space on a small table covered with a red or yellow cloth. If a murti is unavailable, print a high-quality image of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and frame it. Purchase a brass or clay diya, ghee or sesame oil, camphor, incense sticks, fresh flowers (red roses or marigolds from local florists work well), and fruits. For Panchamrit, use whole milk, plain yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar — all available at any grocery store. Indian grocery stores abroad typically stock kumkum, haldi, and akshata (turmeric-coated rice). Perform the puja during Pradosh Kaal (the first few hours after sunset in your local timezone) — consult a Hindu panchang app for exact muhurta timings adjusted to your city. Recite the Sri Suktam or play a recording by a qualified pandit if you are unfamiliar with the chanting. Prepare kheer or any sweet dish as naivedya. Light diyas on your doorstep, windowsills, and balcony. Many Hindu temples abroad conduct community Lakshmi Puja — attending these connects you with your tradition and community. Involve children by explaining the stories and letting them help with rangoli and diya lighting.
Foods Offered
- Kheer (rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and cardamom)
- Gur-Chana (jaggery-coated chickpeas)
- Malpua (sweet fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup)
- Puffed rice (Laiya/Murmura) with batasha (sugar drops)
- Coconut Naru/Laddoo (coconut and jaggery sweets)
Colors
Mantras
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
Om, I bow to the great Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of divine prosperity and auspiciousness (Shreem is the bija mantra of Lakshmi)
सर्वज्ञे सर्ववरदे सर्वदुष्टभयङ्करि। सर्वदुःखहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते॥
O all-knowing one, bestower of all boons, terror to all the wicked, remover of all sorrows — O Goddess Mahalakshmi, I bow to you (from Mahalakshmi Ashtakam)