BhaktiLoopLakshmi Puja (Diwali)
Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is the most significant day of the five-day Diwali festival, particularly for Hindus across India and globally. It is observed on the Amavasya (new moon day) of the Kartik month. This puja symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Households and businesses clean and decorate their premises, light lamps (diyas), and perform elaborate rituals to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, believed to visit homes that are clean and well-lit. The puja is usually performed in the evening or at night during the auspicious Muhurat.
Purpose
To invoke Goddess Lakshmi's blessings for wealth, prosperity, good fortune, abundance, well-being, and spiritual enlightenment. Lord Ganesha is worshipped for removing obstacles and ensuring auspicious beginnings.
Key Rituals
- 1. Purification (Shuddhikaran):** Clean the puja area thoroughly. Take a bath and wear clean clothes.
- 2. Altar Preparation:** Set up a clean altar. Place a red cloth and sprinkle rice on it. Place idols or images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.
- 3. Kalash Sthapana:** Place a Kalash (pot) filled with water, rice, betel nuts, coin, and mango leaves, topped with a coconut. This symbolizes the universe and divine energy.
- 4. Invocation of Ganesha (Ganesh Vandana):** Always begin by worshipping Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles. Offer him flowers, durva grass, sweets (ladoo/modak), and chant his mantras.
- 5. Invocation of Lakshmi (Lakshmi Avahanam):** Meditate on Goddess Lakshmi (Dhyanam), invite her presence (Avahanam), and offer her a seat (Asanam).
- 6. Panchamrita Snanam:** Bathe the idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha with Panchamrita (mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar), followed by pure water.
- 7. Vastra & Abhushan:** Offer new clothes (vastra) and ornaments (abhushan) to the deities.
- 8. Chandan, Kumkum, Haldi:** Apply sandalwood paste (chandan), vermilion (kumkum), and turmeric (haldi) to the idols.
- 9. Pushpa Arpan:** Offer a variety of fresh flowers, especially red and pink ones, with lotus being highly preferred by Lakshmi.
- 10. Dhoop & Deep:** Light incense sticks (dhoop) and oil lamps (deep), symbolizing light and purity.
- 11. Naivedyam:** Offer various food items, especially sweets, fruits, kheer, puri, and traditional Diwali delicacies. Place betel leaves (paan) with betel nuts (supari) and cloves.
- 12. Mantra Jaap:** Chant Lakshmi mantras (e.g., 'Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah') and Ganesha mantras (e.g., 'Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha') using a rosary (mala).
- 13. Lakshmi Aarti:** Perform the Aarti (waving of lighted lamps) while singing devotional songs in praise of Goddess Lakshmi.
- 14. Pradakshina:** Perform circumambulation (circling the altar clockwise) as a sign of respect.
- 15. Pushpanjali:** Offer a handful of flowers to the deities as a final offering.
- 16. Kshama Prarthana:** Offer prayers for forgiveness for any mistakes made during the puja.
- 17. Distribution of Prasad:** Share the offered food (prasad) among family members and others.
Common Offerings
- Idols/Images:** Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
- Panchamrita:** Milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar
- Flowers:** Lotus (Padma), Marigold (Genda), Roses, Hibiscus, Red/Pink flowers
- Fruits:** Bananas, pomegranates, apples, oranges, coconut
- Sweets:** Kheer, Ladoo (Modak for Ganesha), Barfi, Jalebi, Pedha, various homemade sweets
- Grains & Pulses:** Rice, wheat, split pulses
- Dry Fruits:** Almonds, cashews, raisins
- Herbs & Spices:** Cardamom, cloves, camphor, betel leaves (paan), betel nuts (supari)
- Incense & Lamps:** Dhoop sticks, Ghee/Oil lamps (Diyas), cotton wicks
- Adornments:** Red/Pink cloths, jewelry, garlands, bangles
- Other:** Coins, notes, silver/gold items (symbolic of wealth), Kumkum, Haldi, Sandalwood paste, Akshat (rice grains)
- Utensils:** A Kalash (pot), plates for offerings, aarti thali
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Shri Mahalakshmyai Namah
Meaning
Salutations to the Great Goddess Lakshmi.
Benefits
This is a fundamental and powerful mantra for invoking Goddess Lakshmi's blessings, bringing general prosperity, wealth, well-being, and spiritual growth.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Mahalakshmi Namah
Meaning
The Bija (seed) sounds 'Hreem', 'Shreem', 'Kleem' represent Mahamaya (illusion/divine power), Lakshmi (wealth/abundance), and Kama (desire/attraction) respectively, followed by salutations to Mahalakshmi.
Benefits
A potent mantra for attracting immense wealth, material abundance, removing financial blockages, and fulfilling desires related to prosperity.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Ganesha.
Benefits
Chanted at the beginning of any auspicious work or puja to seek Ganesha's blessings for the removal of all obstacles, ensuring success and auspiciousness.
Auspicious Days
Kartik Amavasya (New Moon day) during the Diwali festival. This is the third and most significant day of Diwali.
The puja is performed during the auspicious 'Lakshmi Puja Muhurat' which varies slightly each year based on lunar timings (Amavasya Tithi and Pradosh Kaal).
Regional Variations
While the core essence remains, certain regional variations exist: - **North India (especially Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan):** Emphasis on worshipping new account books ('Chopda Pujan' or 'Bahi Khata Pujan') and business prosperity. More focus on lighting diyas and fireworks. - **West India (Maharashtra, Gujarat):** Similar to North India, with significant 'Chopda Pujan' ceremonies. Different varieties of sweets and savories are offered. In Maharashtra, lamps are lit in every corner of the house. - **East India (West Bengal, Odisha):** While Lakshmi Puja is observed, the Amavasya night of Diwali is also dedicated to Kali Puja in Bengal, sometimes overshadowing Lakshmi Puja on this specific night. However, a separate 'Kojagari Lakshmi Puja' is widely celebrated on the full moon night after Durga Puja. - **South India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka):** Called 'Deepavali', the focus is on oil bath (Ganga Snanam), new clothes, and bursting crackers. Lakshmi Puja is performed, but often in conjunction with other deities or rituals specific to the region, and food offerings might vary (e.g., different types of rice preparations).
Related Pujas
- Dhanteras:** The first day of Diwali, dedicated to worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kubera, and Lord Dhanvantari for health and wealth.
- Goverdhan Puja:** Celebrated the day after Lakshmi Puja, often involving the worship of Lord Krishna and nature.
- Bhai Dooj:** The last day of Diwali, celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.
- Chopda Pujan:** Specifically, the worship of account books, particularly by the business community, often performed as part of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali.
- Kojagari Lakshmi Puja:** Celebrated primarily in Bengal and Odisha on the full moon night after Durga Puja, also dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.