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Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Rama, Lord Ganesha
Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana. The citizens lit thousands of oil lamps (diyas) to welcome him, illuminating the moonless night of Kartika Amavasya. In another tradition, Lakshmi emerged from the Samudra Manthan (ocean churning) on this night and is worshipped for wealth and prosperity.
The festival of lights — the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil. The darkest night (Amavasya) is illuminated, symbolizing hope and renewal. Also marks the Hindu new year in many traditions.
Five-day celebration: Dhanteras (buy gold/utensils), Naraka Chaturdashi (pre-dawn oil bath), Diwali (Lakshmi Puja at night, light diyas, burst crackers), Govardhan Puja (worship food mountains), Bhai Dooj (sister-brother bond). Clean and decorate homes, make rangoli, wear new clothes.
Lakshmi Puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal (after sunset) and Nishita Kaal (midnight). The most auspicious window is typically between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Amavasya night.
On this auspicious Kartik Amavasya (Diwali), I undertake the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for the bestowal of wealth, prosperity, health, and happiness in my household.
Clean the puja area thoroughly. Spread a red cloth on a wooden chowki (platform). Place Lakshmi idol/image in the center facing East, Ganesha to her left. Place coins, the account book, and pen near the idols.
Sip water three times from the right palm for self-purification while reciting the names of Vishnu.
Hold water and akshat in the right hand, state the date, place, and purpose of the Lakshmi-Ganesha puja, then release the water.
Begin by worshipping Ganesha first (as is tradition before any puja). Offer kumkum, akshat, durva, and red flowers. Chant the Ganesh Beej Mantra.
Ganesh Beej Mantra
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Invoke Goddess Lakshmi into the idol/image with folded hands. Offer akshat and lotus flowers while chanting the Lakshmi Beej Mantra.
Lakshmi Beej Mantra
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
Offer water for washing the feet (padya) and scented water as arghya to Goddess Lakshmi.
Bathe the Lakshmi idol with Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar), then with clean water.
Offer a red saree/cloth to Lakshmi. Adorn with ornaments if available.
Apply sandalwood paste and kumkum to the Lakshmi idol.
Offer lotus flowers and other red/pink flowers to Goddess Lakshmi. Lotus is her most beloved flower.
Light incense sticks and wave them before both Lakshmi and Ganesha idols.
Light all 13 ghee lamps. Place them around the puja area. Wave one lamp before the deities in a clockwise motion.
Recite the Shri Sukta from the Rig Veda — this is the most important recitation during Diwali Lakshmi puja.
Shri Sukta (Opening Verse)
ॐ हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम्। चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह॥
Chant the Lakshmi Beej Mantra 108 times using a mala (rosary). Focus on abundance and prosperity.
Lakshmi Beej Mantra
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
Worship Kubera (the divine treasurer) by placing coins near the idol and chanting the Kubera Mantra. This ensures continuous flow of wealth.
Kubera Mantra
ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धनधान्याधिपतये धनधान्यसमृद्धिं मे देहि दापय स्वाहा
Offer sweets (kheer, laddoo, barfi), fruits, and coconut as naivedya. Sprinkle water around the offerings.
Offer paan, supari, and cloves as tambula.
Place the new account book (Bahi Khata) before the Lakshmi idol. Write "Shri" or "Shubh Labh" on the first page with the new red pen. Apply kumkum and akshat on it.
Perform aarti with camphor and ghee lamp while singing "Om Jai Lakshmi Mata". Ring the bell and blow the conch shell.
Circumambulate the puja setup 3 times in a clockwise direction.
Offer flowers with both hands while praying for prosperity. Bow down and seek blessings.
After the puja, place lit diyas at the entrance, windows, balcony, tulsi plant, and every room of the house. The entire home should be illuminated.
Lakshmi Beej Mantra
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
oṃ śrīṃ mahālakṣmyai namaḥ
Salutations to the great Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of auspiciousness and wealth
108x Japa CountShri Sukta (Opening Verse)
ॐ हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम्। चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह॥
oṃ hiraṇyavarṇāṃ hariṇīṃ suvarṇarajatasrajām | candrāṃ hiraṇmayīṃ lakṣmīṃ jātavedo ma āvaha ||
O Jataveda (Agni), bring to me that Lakshmi who is golden-hued, deer-like, adorned with gold and silver garlands, radiant as the moon, and resplendent as gold.
Ganesh Beej Mantra
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
oṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye namaḥ
Salutations to Lord Ganapati, the remover of obstacles
Kubera Mantra
ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धनधान्याधिपतये धनधान्यसमृद्धिं मे देहि दापय स्वाहा
oṃ yakṣāya kuberāya vaiśravaṇāya dhanadhānyādhipataye dhanadhānyasamṛddhiṃ me dehi dāpaya svāhā
O Kubera, lord of Yakshas, son of Vishravana, lord of wealth and grain — bestow upon me prosperity of wealth and grain.
Deepa (Lamp) Mantra
शुभं करोति कल्याणमारोग्यं धनसम्पदम्। शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते॥
śubhaṃ karoti kalyāṇamārogyaṃ dhanasampadam | śatrubuddhivināśāya dīpajyotirnamo'stu te ||
The lamp light brings auspiciousness, well-being, health, and wealth. It destroys the intellect of enemies. Salutations to the flame of the lamp.
Shri Sukta
The primary Vedic hymn to Lakshmi from the Rig Veda. Most important recitation during Diwali puja.
Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali
108 names of Goddess Lakshmi. Recite while offering flowers or kumkum for each name.
॥ श्री लक्ष्मी माता की आरती ॥ ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता। तुमको निशदिन सेवत, हरि विष्णु विधाता॥ ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥ उमा रमा ब्रह्माणी, तुम ही जग माता। सूर्य चन्द्रमा ध्यावत, नारद ऋषि गाता॥ ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥ दुर्गा रूप निरंजनि, सुख सम्पत्ति दाता। जो कोई तुमको ध्यावत, ऋद्धि सिद्धि धन पाता॥ ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥ तुम पाताल निवासिनि, तुम ही शुभदाता। कर्म प्रभाव प्रकाशिनि, भवनिधि की त्राता॥ ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥ जिस घर में तुम रहतीं, सब सद्गुण आता। सब सम्भव हो जाता, मन नहीं घबराता॥ ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥ तुम बिन यज्ञ न होवे, वस्त्र न कोई पाता। खान पान का वैभव, सब तुमसे आता॥ ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥ महालक्ष्मी जी की आरती, जो कोई जन गाता। उर आनन्द समाता, पाप उतर जाता॥ ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता॥
|| śrī lakṣmī mātā kī āratī || oṃ jaya lakṣmī mātā, maiyā jaya lakṣmī mātā | tumako niśadina sevata, hari viṣṇu vidhātā || oṃ jaya lakṣmī mātā || umā ramā brahmāṇī, tuma hī jaga mātā | sūrya candramā dhyāvata, nārada ṛṣi gātā || oṃ jaya lakṣmī mātā || durgā rūpa niraṃjani, sukha sampatti dātā | jo koī tumako dhyāvata, ṛddhi siddhi dhana pātā || oṃ jaya lakṣmī mātā || tuma pātāla nivāsini, tuma hī śubhadātā | karma prabhāva prakāśini, bhavanidhi kī trātā || oṃ jaya lakṣmī mātā || jisa ghara meṃ tuma rahatīṃ, saba sadguṇa ātā | saba sambhava ho jātā, mana nahīṃ ghabarātā || oṃ jaya lakṣmī mātā || tuma bina yajña na hove, vastra na koī pātā | khāna pāna kā vaibhava, saba tumase ātā || oṃ jaya lakṣmī mātā || mahālakṣmī jī kī āratī, jo koī jana gātā | ura ānanda samātā, pāpa utara jātā || oṃ jaya lakṣmī mātā ||
Kheer (rice pudding), laddoos, barfi, fresh fruits, whole coconut, dry fruits, batasha (sugar drops), and specially prepared sweets
Bestowal of wealth and prosperity, removal of poverty and financial hardship, Lakshmi's permanent residence in the household, success in business and career, and overall well-being of the family