Lakshmi Puja

Lakshmi Puja falls on Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali. This ritual is performed to invite Goddess Lakshmi at home. Prayers are offered to the Goddess, so that the New Year is filled with peace, wealth and prosperity.

The auspicious time for puja

The third day of Diwali is believed to be the most auspicious day; this is when Lakshmi Puja is performed. With pomp and ceremony, Lakshmi is invited into the homes of devotees to partake of the gifts that are a part of the puja. The most auspicious time for the puja is decided when amavasya tithi prevails during pradosh kaal or the evening time.

Diwali Shubh Muhurat Date and Timing

Amavasya Tithi Begins = 20:40 on 29 – Oct – 2016
Amavasya Tithi Ends = 23:08 on 30 – Oct – 2016

Pradosh Kaal Muhurat

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat from 18:27(30 Oct) to 20:09(30 Oct)
Pradosh Kaal from 17:33(30 Oct) to 20:09(30 Oct)
Vrishabha Kaal from 18:27(30 Oct) to 20:22(30 Oct)

Mahanishita Kaal Muhurat

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat = None
Mahanishita Kaal from 23:38(30 Oct) to 00:30(31 Oct)
Simha Kaal from 12:57(31 Oct) to 3:14(31 Oct)

Choghadiya Puja Muhurat

Morning Muhurat (Char, Labh, Amrit) from 07:58(30 Oct) to 12:05(30 Oct)
Afternoon Muhurat (Shubh) from 13:27(30 Oct) to 14:49(30 Oct)
Evening Muhurat (Shubh, Amrit, Char) from 17:33(30 Oct) to 22:27(30 Oct)

How to perform Lakshmi Puja at home during Diwali?

First, clean the house. In some communities, even the broom is worshipped on the Lakshmi Puja day. This symbolically represents the need for cleanliness. 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.

Steps of Lakshmi Puja

Spread a new cloth on a raised platform. Place a handful of grains in the center and, on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains in it. Arrange five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the kalash. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder (haldi) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

Place the idol of Ganesha. In front of the kalash, on the right (South-West direction), place the idol of Ganesha. Also place ink and books related to your business or occupation on the platform. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.

Invoke Goddess Lakshmi by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. One can also recite the mantras mentioned in the Puranas or simply take some flowers in your hands, close your eyes, and think of goddess Lakshmi being showered with gold coins by two elephants standing on either side of Her and chant Her name. Then offer the flowers to the idol.

Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.

Offerings

Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume ( itr ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess. Offer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree). Light an incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul. Make an offering of puffed rice. Pour some puffed rice, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol. Safe where you keep money and jewelry.

Aarti

Finally, perform the aarti for goddess Lakshmi. Always remember that She abhors loud noise. So the aarti should be accompanied only by a small bell. Do not clap hands, as is the practice when performing aarti for other gods. A peaceful and sublime atmosphere should prevail during the diwali day pujan. Do not light crackers while the puja is on or immediately after it.

Diwali Lakshmi Puja Mantra

1. Lakshmi Beej Mantra

Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhayo Namah ||

2. Mahalakshmi Mantra

Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed

Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmaye Namah ||

3. Kubera Money Mantra (God of Wealth)

Om shreem om hreem shreem hreem kleem shreem kleem viteswaraaya namah

4. Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra

Om Shree Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dheemahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat Om ||

5. Maha Lakshmi Amritvani

Vishva ki aie kamleshwari laxmi daya nidhaan

Timir haro agyan ka gyan ka do vardan

Aath siddhiya dwar tere khadi hai lakar jyot

Nij bhaktan ki naav ko tat ki or tu mod

Nirdhan ham lachaar bade tu hai dhan ka kosh

Shukh ki varsha bhar ke maa har lo dukh ka dosh

Benefits of Laxmi puja

1. Achieving goals and results without any hindrance.
2. Being successful at work without any obstacles.
3. Overcoming hurdles in academics with great end results.
4. Smoothening marital life and eradicating differences in couples.
5. Seeking good health.
6. Inviting prosperity and wealth in home.
7. Enabling quick recovery from debts.
8. Overall protection from poverty and debts.
9. Boosting bank balance.
10. Expansion of business.
11. Seeking happiness and satisfaction in life.

Legend

According to the scriptures, once Goddess Lakshmi grew very arrogant about Her wealth and powers. While talking to Lord Vishnu, her husband, She kept praising Herself, claiming that She is the only one worthy of worship. She is the one who bestows everyone with money and wealth. On hearing the non-stop self praise, Lord Vishnu decided to get rid of Her arrogance. Very calmly, Lord Vishnu said that in spite of having all the qualities, a woman remains incomplete if she does not bear children. Motherhood is the ultimate joy that a woman can experience and since Lakshmi did not have children, She could not be deemed complete. On hearing this Goddess Lakshmi was extremely disappointed. With a heavy heart, Goddess Lakshmi went to Goddess Parvati to seek help. Since Parvati had two sons, She requested the Goddess to let Her adopt one of Her sons to experience the joy of motherhood. Parvati was reluctant to let Lakshmi adopt Her son because it was known that Lakshmi does not stay in one place for long. So, she would not be able to take care of Her son. But Lakshmi assured Her that She would take care of Her son in every possible way and bestow Him with all the happiness. Understanding Lakshmi’s pain, Goddess Parvati let Her adopt Ganesha as Her son. Goddess Lakshmi became extremely elated and said that She will bestow Ganesha with all Her accomplishments and prosperity. Those worshipping Lakshmi for wealth would first have to worship Ganesha to seek Her blessings. Those who will worship Lakshmi without Ganesha will not blessed by the Goddess. Hence, Lakshmi is always worshipped along with Ganesha on Diwali. Gaining wealth without intellect will only result in misusing the wealth. So, one must first acquire the intelligence to spend the wealth in the right manner. Therefore, Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped together.