Lakshmi Puja is a prominent Hindu ritual dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the divine goddess of wealth, prosperity, fortune, and abundance. It is widely celebrated during Diwali (Deepavali), the festival of lights, to invoke her blessings for material and spiritual prosperity.

🕉️ Spiritual Significance

  • Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes wealth in all forms—not just money, but also health, wisdom, happiness, and spiritual wealth.
  • She is the consort of Lord Vishnu and embodies beauty, grace, and generosity.
  • Worshipping Lakshmi is believed to bring prosperity, good luck, and remove poverty and misfortune.

📅 When is Lakshmi Puja Celebrated?

  • Main celebration occurs on the third day of Diwali (Lakshmi Puja day), which falls in the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November).
  • Also performed during Sharad Purnima, Kojagari Purnima, and other auspicious occasions.

🙏 Lakshmi Puja Vidhi (Worship Procedure)

🛕 1. Preparation

  • Clean and decorate the puja area and house thoroughly to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
  • Use rangoli (colorful patterns), flowers, lamps, and incense.

🪔 2. Puja Samagri (Items Needed)

  • Idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha (often worshipped together)
  • Kalash (sacred pot), rice, turmeric, vermilion (kumkum), flowers (especially red or pink)
  • Diya (oil lamp), incense sticks, sweets, fruits, coins, betel leaves
  • Panchamrit (mixture of milk, honey, curd, ghee, sugar)
  • New clothes or silk cloth to decorate the idol

🌺 3. Worship Rituals

  • Invoke Goddess Lakshmi with mantras such as:

“Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah”

  • Perform Ganesh Puja first to remove obstacles.
  • Place the idol or image on a decorated altar.
  • Offer flowers, fruits, sweets, and light the diya and incense.
  • Recite Lakshmi Stotras like the Sri Suktam or Mahalakshmi Ashtakam.
  • Offer Panchamrit abhisheka (ritual bath) to the idol.
  • Perform aarti with camphor or diya.

🎁 4. Prasad and Donation

  • Offer sweets and fruits as prasad.
  • Distribute prasad to family and guests.
  • It is auspicious to donate food, clothes, or money to the needy on this day.

🌟 Benefits of Lakshmi Puja

  • Attracts wealth, prosperity, and success in personal and professional life.
  • Removes financial troubles and negative energies.
  • Enhances harmony and happiness at home.
  • Invokes spiritual growth and blessings for a balanced life.

🎉 Cultural Celebrations

  • Homes and businesses are decorated with lights, diyas, and rangoli.
  • People wear new clothes and perform the puja with family.
  • Fireworks and feasting mark the celebrations.
  • Many observe fasting or vigil during Lakshmi Puja night.