Lakshmi Puja is performed on the third day of the third day of Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi is referred to as the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The festival falls on Amavasya of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashwin. It is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi visits her devotees and bestows blessings and gifts on them. The Goddess is bestowed with four hands which stand for dharma, kama, artha, and moksha. And as Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, devotees clean and decorate their house, and prepare delicacies as bhog. On Lakshmi Puja five deities are worshipped – Ganesha is worshipped as he is the remover of obstacles, Kubera as he is the treasurer of gods and three forms of Goddess Lakshmi, Mahalakshmi (Goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (Goddess of books and learning) and Mahakali. In 2018, Lakshmi Puja falls on October 7.
Devotees wake up early and worship Lord Vishnu. In the afternoon, prayers are offered to the departed soul and offerings are made to Brahmins. Later in the evening Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber and Lord Vishnu are worshipped. Worshipping Lakshmi on the day helps to get rid of all the obstacles pertaining to wealth caused by malefic planets or any other evil influences. The puja helps to gain business success, materialistic possessions and overcome poverty.
Puja vidhi- Lay down a piece of cloth on a clean and raised platform. Spray handful of grains in the center of the cloth and place a kalash on it. Add a handful of grains, water, flower, coin and betel nuts. Take five different leaves or five mango leaves and place it around the neck of the kalash.
- Place a small plate filled with rice on the kalash. Draw a lotus on the rice with turmeric powder and place the idol of Goddess Lakshmi on it. Place coins around the idol.
- Place an idol of Lord Ganesha in front of the kalash and light a Panchmukhi diya, a lamp with 5 faces. The lamp helps to get rid of the negativity and welcome prosperity and positive energy.
- Offer kumkum-turmeric and flowers to Goddess Lakshmi. Recite vedic mantras.
- Place the idol of Lakshmi on a plate and sprinkle water, panchamrita, and water comprising of gold/pearl ornament. Place the idol again on the kalash and shower water, flower and panchamirita on it. Light a Panchmukhi Diya and incense stick in front of the Goddess.
- Offer puffed rice, sweets, coconut, and fruits to the Goddess.
- Place jewellery and other valuables on a swastika. It is worshipped as a symbol of Lord Kubera.
- Perform aarti.
TithiLakshmi puja tithi: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on October 7
Amavasya tithi begins: 10:27 pm on November 6
Amavasya tithi ends: 9:31 pm on November 7
Lakshmi Mantras to chant:
Lakshmi Vinayaka MantraOm Shreem Gam Saumyaya Ganpataye Vara Varada
Sarvajanam Me Vashamanaya Svaha॥
Lakshmi Ganesha Dhyana MantraDantabhaye Chakravarau Dadhanam, Karagragam Swarnghatam Trinetram
Dhritabjayalingitamabdhi Putrya-Lakshmi Ganesham Kanakabhamide