Diwali Laxmi Puja Vidhi

 

How To Perform Lakshmi Puja At Home On Diwali?

 

Lakshmi Puja is an important ritual during Diwali or Deepavali. There were numerous queries on how to do Lakshmi Puja at home? There is no straightforward answer to this question as the ritual varies from region to region. But here is a simple guide to perform Lakshmi Puja during Diwali. In 2021, Diwali Lakshmi Puja is on November 4.

First and foremost step is to clean the house. Through the puja we are inviting Goddess Lakshmi to our house and she likes everything to be neat and clean. In some communities, even the broom is worshipped on the Lakshmi Puja day. This symbolically represents the need for cleanliness.

Three forms of Shakti – Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Durga –Lord Ganesh and Lord Kubera are worshipped on the day. No puja is performed without paying customary tributes to Lord Ganesha. Lord Kubera, represents wealth, and he is the treasurer of Gods. In homes, usually the locker or safe in which gold and cash is kept symbolically represents the seat of Kubera.

Important Items Needed For Lakshmi Puja

Kalash
Mango leaves
Idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi
Milk, curd, honey, ghee
Puffed rice
Usual puja Sweets
Coriander seeds
Cumin seeds
And other daily puja items

Lakshmi Puja Process

·         First decide on a place to perform the puja.

·         Spread a clean cloth and create a bed of rice.

·         A Kalash (pot) is placed on the bed of rice.

·         Fill about 75% of the Kalash with water.

·         Put a betel nut, flower, a clean coin, and some rice in the Kalash.

·         Now arrange mango leaves around the opening of the Kalash.

·         Place a Thaali (a small plain plate) on the Kalash.

·         On the Thaali, draw a lotus with turmeric powder and place the idol or small photograph of Goddess Lakshmi.

·         Place some coins on the Thaali.

·         On the right of Kalash, place the idol of Lord Ganesha.

·         If you need, you can also place the idols of Saraswathi and your favorite deities.

Create a peaceful and calm atmosphere. The best way is to close the eyes and meditate on ‘om.’

·         Take some water and sprinkle on all puja items to purify them.

·         Do puja with haldi, kumkum and flowers on the Kalash.

·         Light a lamp.

·         Now take some flower and rice in the hands and close the eyes and meditate on Goddess Lakshmi. You are now invoking Goddess Lakshmi. If you know mantras, recite them. Otherwise just simply meditate on Goddess Lakshmi. Here is a simple Sanskrit mantra dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.

Namosthesthu Maha Maye,
Shree padee, sura poojithe,
Shanka, Chakra, Gadha hasthe,
Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

·         Now sprinkle the flowers and rice on the idol of Goddess Lakshmi.

·         Take out the idol of Goddess Lakshmi and place it on a Thaali. Clean the idol with water, then with milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar. Then clean the idol again with water.

·         Place the idol back on the Kalash.

·         Now offer garlands made of marigolds or leaves of bel tree, sandalwood paste, kumkum and other daily puja items including lighting incense and agarbhatis.

·         Now make offerings of coconut, fruits, sweets, betel nuts and betel leaves.

·         Next make offerings of Batasha sweets, puffed rice, coriander and cumin seeds.

·         Lastly, perform a silent Arati for Goddess Lakshmi. And meditate on Goddess Lakshmi.

·         Take some of the ‘prasad’ (that will stay for long period of time) and place it at the place where ornaments and cash is usually kept.

Business people also worship the account books on this day along with Goddess Lakshmi.

This is only a guideline. You can show flexibility in the puja process. Some of the items needed might not be readily available. But you can keep the house and surrounding clean. Finally, if you can’t perform the puja, wherever you are simply mediate on Goddess Lakshmi.

Lakshmi Puja Vidhi:

Finalise a spot at your home where you would like to perform the Pujan. The Mandir area in your home can also be used for performing Lakshmi Pujan.

Clean the spot with Ganga Jal (water) or plain water. Put a piece of Yellow or red cloth on a wooden platform. Put a small Rangoli made of rice flour.

Respectfully place the idol or photo of Goddess Lakshmi on the platform. Put a handful of grains on the platform rather towards the right or left of the idol or photo.

The next step will be to prepare a 'Kalash'. Fill the 'Kalash' with water, one supari, a marigold flower, coin, and rice. You also need to keep five mango leaves, which will be used in the 'Kalash'. Place an uncut coconut with is fiber protruding upward in such a manner that the mango leaves remain partly inside and partially outside-facing upward.

The next step is to prepare a traditional 'puja ki thali', comprising rice grains, which will have to be placed in a heap (not too high). Then, with the help of turmeric powder (also known as 'Haldi'), draw a lotus flower over it. Once your drawing is completed, gracefully place your beautiful Lakshmi idol over it. As is known to all, goddess Lakshmi is our supreme source of livelihood, kindly place some coins before the idol (Maa will feel happy).

According to Hindu beliefs, Lord Ganesha is invoked before any god or goddess when performing a puja or Havan. Therefore, you will also have to place a Ganpati idol on the right side of the 'Kalash' (making sure that it is the South-West direction). As per rituals in our Hindu religion, welcome the lord with putting a Haldi-Kumkum tilak on the forehead. Offer some rice grains to the Ganpati idol.

Once the Lakshmi-Ganesha idols are strategically placed, you can also seek the blessings of the god and goddess by keeping your books, pen or any such personal belonging (you feel is related to your profession). With all this done, now is the time to light the lamp.

Light a special Diwali Diya, and place it on the 'puja ki thali'. Also, with it put some more rice grains kumkum and flowers. You will also have to remember to keep aside a glass of water that will be used during the puja. Now, as you proceed to perform the puja—start with putting a 'tilak' on the 'Kalash', also apply it on a glass of water which you kept it aside for puja. Offer some flowers also.

Now starts the process of invoking the goddess. If you know how to correctly chant the Vedic mantras of Lakshmi Maa—sing it, if you can't—worry not. Take some flowers and rice grains in your hand, close your eyes with full devotion bow your head down before the goddess and chant her holy name. Afterward, offer the flowers and rice in your hand to the goddess.

Once the goddess is invoked, take the Lakshmi idol and put in a plate, while bathing it with water. Put the 'Panchamrit', and clean the idol again with pure water. Now, carefully clean the idol, wipe out the water and place it on the 'Kalash'.

Now is your turn to apply Haldi-Kumkum tilak to the mother goddess, and yes don't forget the rice grains. Welcome the goddess with a freshly-made garland of flowers. You can also offer some marigold and Bel. To get that aromatic feel, light up some incense sticks before the goddess.

You will then have to please the goddess offering her some sweets, as it is the festival of wonderful mithais. Place the coconut in front of the goddess. You will also have to place the supari on a supari leaf—again beautifying it with some Haldi-Kumkum and rice grains. Also add some puffed rice, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds. What follows is, offering the Mother goddess your favourite Diwali mithai, fruits, money, or any precious jewellery item.

Lastly, the entire puja culminates with a Lakshmi Aarti, where everyone joins in the celebratory mood and prays to the Mother goddess together. With folded hands, we immerse ourselves before the goddess Lakshmi and in our honest askings —pray for prosperity and well-being.

Close your eyes, fold your hands and immerse yourself in the bhakti of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.