Lakshmi puja falls on Amavasya, the new moon day, of Krishna paksha, the third day of Diwali. She is called Shri and known as Goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is a consort of Lord Vishnu.

According to legend, the story begins with a meeting between Lord Indira and sage Durvasa. Lord Indira had a four tusked elephant called Airavet. Sage Durvasa was a powerful sage. He saw Lord Indira, with lot of respect he gave him a flower garland. Lord Indira took the garland and placed it on the elephant’s head. The fragrance from the garland was so strong that the elephant took the garland from his head and flung it down on earth. This enraged Sage Durvasa and cursed Lord Indira that his kingdom will also be ruined like he has thrown the garland on the ground.

The Sage walks away and Lord Indira return to his capital Amravati. The changes in the capital starts to take place, the gods and people lose their energy and vigor.  People became corrupt, thus the gods got weak. The demons started to invade the Gods and were winning.  Lord Indira went to Lord Brahma, who was a creator and did not know how to help Lord Indira. So, they went to Vaikunta, to see Lord Vishnu, who the churning of the ocean to restore the power back to the Gods by providing them with Amrit that would make them immortal. This amrit had to be churned out of the ocean, for that a churner was needed, Mount Mandara.  The demons wanted the Amrit, they agreed to help the Gods. They needed a rope to churn the ocean, thus Vasuki the snake God agreed to help churn since he was to share the Amrit. The Gods held on to the tail of the snake, while the demons held his head. To move the Mount Mandara, Lord Vishnu had to help, he came as a tortoise, since it kept falling into the ocean. He went into the ocean and picked the submerged Mount Mandara and put it on his back. Vasuki coiled himself around the Mount and the churning started. From this churning Goddess Lakshmi raises out of the waves seated on a full bloomed lotus. She chooses to marry Lord Vishnu.

How to celebrate

Lakshmi puja is one of the important rituals performed during the festival of Diwali. This ritual is performed to invite Goddess Lakshmi at home.

Items required for puja

• Picture or Idol of Goddess Lakshmi in the Pooja room
• A dupatta or sari to offer to the deity
• Plain water in Kalash (pitcher)
• Fresh and washed mango leaves
• Sandalwood
• One coconut
• Kumkum
• Turmeric
• Red sacred thread
• Rice
• Betel leaves and betel nuts
• Flowers
• Clean the house and purchase the above materials.
• Draw Rangoli in front of the house.
• After taking a bath, clean Goddess Lakshmi idol and place her on an altar.

Shodasha Upachara vidhi (process)

This is a 16-step service to be executed during worship. It is usually rendered with Vedic chants. Devotees can perform this mentally by closing their eyes, called the “manasa puja.”

• Lower than the platform, draw Rangoli and place a kalash on a plate with a little rice.
• Place mango leaves on the top of the kalash. Place a coconut on the rim.
  • In a plate, keep betel leaves, nuts, fruits and flowers.
• Light diya’s in front of the platform.
• Start kalash puja, place turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
• Place turmeric, kumkum and flowers on the Goddess Lakshmi.
• Start with Lord Ganesh puja.
• Next start Goddess Lakshmi puja.
• Dhyanam (meditating on Goddess Lakshmi to invoke her).
  • Recite a short prayer specific to Goddess Lakshmi and engage the mind into lotus feet of the Goddess.
• Avahanam (inviting the Goddess Lakshmi into the altar).
  • Invite Goddess Lakshmi to come into the place of worship or idol by chanting the Vedic verse as though you are inviting a loveable guest inside your home.
• Asanam (Giving the Goddess Lakshmi a seat).
  • Offer the Goddess Lakshmi a seat. Like inviting a guest to your house, you would offer a comfortable seat to relax. In similar way by chanting the Vedic verse offer a seat to Goddess Lakshmi.
• Padyam (Washing The Goddess Lakshmi’s feet with water).
  • Wash the feet of Goddess Lakshmi by pouring water at Her feet. Imagine you are washing the delicate, lotus feet of the Goddess.
• Arghya (offering The Goddess Lakshmi water to rinse hands and mouth).
• Achamaniyam (offering The Goddess Lakshmi water to drink).
• Snanam (bathing The Goddess Lakshmi with only water or Panchamrutha abhishekam (Milk, Curds, Honey, Sugar & Ghee) (keep this aside).
  • Wash the Goddess Lakshmi with water and wipe clean.
• Vastram (dress The Goddess Lakshmi with new clothes).
• Yagnopavitam (offering The Goddess Lakshmi a clean sacred thread) (Janevu).
• Gandha (spreading fresh sandalwood paste on The Goddess Lakshmi).
  • Turmeric & Kumkum offering.
• Pushpa (offering flowers).
  • Recite 108 names of The Goddess Lakshmi while offering flowers.
• Dhoopam (offering incense smoke) (Due to allergic reactions this could be eliminated).
• Deepam (offering diya).
• Naivedyam (offering the Goddess Lakshmi food).
• Taambulam & Dakshina (offering betel leaves and nuts & money).
• Perform aarti.
  • Pradakshina and namaskaram (circumambulating the altar, request forgiveness for any omission.
  • Take the holy water or Panchamrutha (request Goddess Lakshmi’s grace and blessings for everyone. Request The Goddess Lakshmi return when the Avahana is offered next time.

Suggested Chants

• Ganesh Mantra
• Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra
• 108 names of Goddess Lakshmi