Festival

Lakshmi Puja Vidhi

A commonly practised guide to Lakshmi Puja, often performed during Diwali.

5 min

Deity: Lakshmi
Tradition: Puranic
Occasion: Diwali
Source: Nitya Karm Pooja Prakash (Gita Press); Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (Padma Purana).

सामग्री

Required materials

Lakshmi murti/image (often with Ganesha)
Chowki with red cloth
Kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut
Roli, kumkum, haldi and akshata
Chandan and a lotus / red flowers (lotus is dear to Lakshmi)
Panchamrit and Gangajal
Ghee lamps (traditionally an odd number)
Dhoop and camphor
Kheer / sweets, batasha and seasonal fruit for naivedya
Silver/other coins, cowries and account book (esp. on Diwali)
Betel leaf-nut and dakshina

संकल्प

Sankalpa

ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। अद्य (देश-काल-तिथि-वार-नक्षत्रोच्चारणपूर्वकम्) (नाम)-नामाहं (गोत्र)-गोत्रः मम आत्मनः श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणोक्तफलप्राप्त्यर्थं श्रीLakshmiप्रीत्यर्थं यथाशक्ति पूजनम् अहं करिष्ये॥

Recite the sankalpa holding water, flowers and rice in the right palm; then release the water.

पूजा विधि

Step-by-step procedure

1
Achamana & Sankalpa (आचमन-संकल्प)
Purify with achamana; make the sankalpa for prosperity, contentment and dharma.
2
Ganesha-puja (गणेश-पूजन)
Worship Ganesha first with 'ॐ गं गणपतये नमः', durva and modak.
3
Kalash & Lakshmi Sthapana (स्थापना)
Establish the kalash and invoke Mahalakshmi into the murti with the beeja mantra.
4
Shodashopachara (षोडशोपचार)
Offer asana, padya, arghya, snana (panchamrit + water), vastra and chandan in sequence.
5
Pushpa & Kumkum-archana (पुष्प-कुंकुम)
Offer lotus/red flowers and kumkum, reciting the Lakshmi names or the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam.
6
Dhoop, Deep & Naivedya (धूप-दीप-नैवेद्य)
Offer incense, lamps, then kheer/sweets, batasha and fruit.
7
Kubera & Coins (कुबेर-पूजन)
On Diwali, worship Kubera, coins and the account book for the year ahead.
8
Aarti & Pushpanjali (आरती)
Perform aarti (Om Jai Lakshmi Mata) and offer pushpanjali.
9
Kshama & Prasada (क्षमा-प्रसाद)
Seek forgiveness, pray for abundance shared with all, and distribute prasada.

मंत्र

Mantras

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः

oṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ mahālakṣmyai namaḥ

The beeja-mantra of Mahalakshmi — used for invocation and each offering.

या रक्ताम्बुजवासिनी विलासिनी चण्डांशु तेजस्विनी।

yā raktāmbuja-vāsinī vilāsinī caṇḍāṃśu tejasvinī

Opening of the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam — she who dwells on the red lotus, radiant as the fierce sun.

ॐ महादेव्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै च धीमहि। तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात्॥

oṃ mahādevyai ca vidmahe viṣṇupatnyai ca dhīmahi · tanno lakṣmīḥ pracodayāt

Lakshmi Gayatri — may the great goddess, consort of Vishnu, inspire us.

उपचार

Offerings (Upachara)

ॐ गन्धं समर्पयामि।

oṃ gandhaṃ samarpayāmi

I offer sandal paste (gandha).

ॐ पुष्पं समर्पयामि।

oṃ puṣpaṃ samarpayāmi

I offer flowers (pushpa).

ॐ धूपमाघ्रापयामि।

oṃ dhūpam āghrāpayāmi

I offer incense (dhupa).

ॐ दीपं दर्शयामि।

oṃ dīpaṃ darśayāmi

I show the lamp (deepa).

ॐ नैवेद्यं निवेदयामि।

oṃ naivedyaṃ nivedayāmi

I offer the food (naivedya).

Standard panchopachara — offer each item while reciting the corresponding mantra.

Sources & References

Source / TraditionNitya Karm Pooja Prakash (Gita Press); Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (Padma Purana).

Regional TraditionDiwali Lakshmi Puja customs vary widely across regions.

Editorial NotePresented as a common shodashopachara (sixteen-offering) household practice. Regional and family customs vary — follow your kula-parampara where it differs.

Dharmartha presents traditional knowledge with respect for its sources. Practices vary by lineage and region; this material does not assert exclusive or universal authority.

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