Diwali 2024
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most significant celebrations in India, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Among the many rituals performed during Diwali, Lakshmi Puja holds a special place. It is believed that worshiping Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, on this auspicious day invites prosperity, abundance, and success into one’s home. In Diwali 2024, Lakshmi Puja will once again be a central part of the festivities as families come together to perform the sacred rituals. This step-by-step guide will help you carry out the Lakshmi Puja rituals properly, ensuring that your home is blessed with peace, happiness, and financial stability.
When is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali 2024 will be celebrated on October 31st, and the festival usually spans over five days, starting with Dhanteras(October 29) and ending with Bhai Dooj(November 3). This joyous occasion is celebrated not only in India but also across the globe by millions of people who light lamps, exchange gifts, and perform traditional pujas (prayers) to honor deities. The third day of Diwali is when Lakshmi Puja takes place, making it the most significant day of the festival. This year, Lakshmi Puja will be held on the evening of October 31, from 06:47 PM to 08:21 PM, with families preparing their homes to welcome the goddess.
During Diwali, people clean and decorate their homes, light oil lamps (diyas), and burst fireworks to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. In particular, Lakshmi Puja focuses on invoking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of wealth and fortune. Performing the Lakshmi Puja is a sacred ritual that brings prosperity and happiness to the household for the year ahead. Let's explore how to perform Lakshmi Puja step by step and ensure that Diwali 2024 brings you peace and success.
Step- By- Step Rituals to perform Lakshmi Puja for Prosperity
Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing Lakshmi Puja on Diwali also called as Deepawali/Deepavali, a key ritual to attract prosperity, wealth, and happiness into your home
Preparation for Lakshmi Puja
Clean Your Home
The first and most important step is to thoroughly clean your home. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, only enters homes that are clean and well-maintained.
Decorate the Puja Area
Set up a puja space, ideally in the cleanest, brightest corner of your house. Decorate the area with rangoli, fresh flowers, and light diyas (oil lamps). Place a small platform or altar, covered with a clean cloth (preferably red or yellow), to place the idols or images of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kuber.
Gather Puja Materials
Idol of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
Coins, Gold or Silver items (if available)
Lotus flowers or any other fresh flowers
Five types of fruits
Incense sticks, dhoop sticks, sambrani cups
Camphor (for aarti)
Milk, honey, ghee, sugar, curd (for panchamrit)
Sweets and food items as prasad
Red cloth and yellow rice (akshat)
Kalash filled with water, mango leaves, and coconut
Kumkum, Haldi (turmeric), sandalwood paste
Oil or ghee lamps and candles
Sit Facing East or North
Sit facing east or north, as these are considered auspicious directions while performing Lakshmi Puja.
How to perform Lakshmi Puja
Invoke Lord Ganesha
Begin the puja by offering flowers, fruits, and sweets to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Light incense sticks and a lamp while chanting the Ganesha mantra
"Om Gan Ganapataye Namah"
This is to ensure that the puja proceeds smoothly without any obstacles.
Kalash Sthapana (Establishing the Kalash)
Place the Kalash (pot) filled with water, decorated with mango leaves, and a coconut on top, in front of the idols. The Kalash represents abundance and fertility. Tie a red cloth around the Kalash and place it on a plate filled with rice.
Lakshmi Idol Placement
Place the idol of Goddess Lakshmi in the center of the altar. Place Lord Ganesha on the right and Lord Kuber (symbol of wealth) on the left. You can also keep a small pile of coins or gold jewelry near Lakshmi's idol to represent wealth.
Panchamrit Abhishekam (Bathing the Idols)
Bathe the idols with panchamrit, a mixture of milk, honey, curd, sugar, and ghee. After this, gently wash them with clean water and wipe them with a soft cloth.
Offer Haldi, Kumkum, and Flowers
Apply haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermilion) to the idols. Adorn the idols with fresh flowers, especially lotus flowers, as they are associated with Goddess Lakshmi. You can also place garlands around the idols.
Chant Lakshmi Mantras
Chant the Lakshmi mantras while offering flowers and prasad to the goddess. You can recite:
"Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyaei Namah"
This mantra invokes Goddess Lakshmi's blessings for wealth and prosperity.
Offerings (Naivedya)
Offer naivedya, which includes sweets like modaks(Lord ganesh’s favorite), laddoos, or any homemade sweet dishes. Place the five types of fruits, along with betel leaves, coconut, and coins, in front of the idol as an offering.
Light Incense and Dhoop
Light incense sticks, dhoop, and camphor to purify the surroundings. As the fragrance fills the air, it is believed that the divine presence of Goddess Lakshmi enters the home.
Here are a few incense recommendations for Diwali to enhance your puja experience
Incense Sticks
Lavender Bambooless Incense Sticks : Made without bamboo, these sticks release a soothing lavender fragrance, ideal for daily puja, relaxation and meditation.
Rose Gold Incense Sticks : Infused with the romantic essence of roses, these premium incense sticks create a calming and uplifting atmosphere.
Oudh Drops Incense Sticks : These sticks offer the rich and luxurious scent of oudh, perfect for spiritual rituals and creating a serene ambiance.
Khus Gold Incense Sticks : Featuring the earthy fragrance of vetiver (khus), these sticks are refreshing and grounding.
Sandal Gold Premium Incense Sticks : Known for their divine sandalwood aroma, these sticks are ideal for prayers and meditative practices.
Dhoop Sticks
Black Oudh Dhoop Sticks : These dhoop sticks exude a deep and intense oudh fragrance, perfect for sacred rituals and meditative spaces.
Amulya Natural Bambooless Dhoop Sticks : Made from natural ingredients, these dhoop sticks provide a gentle, soothing fragrance, ideal for daily spiritual practices.
Amulya Bakhoor Thick Dhoop Sticks : Offering the rich and luxurious scent of bakhoor, these thick dhoop sticks are perfect for enhancing the atmosphere during prayers.
Shudh Bela Phool Dhoop Sticks : These dhoop sticks carry the delicate and floral fragrance of jasmine (bela), known for its calming and uplifting properties.
Haridwar Dhoop Sticks : Inspired by the spiritual essence of Haridwar, these dhoop sticks are perfect for rituals and purification.
Incense Cones
Khus Gold Incense Cones : With the natural cooling fragrance of vetiver (khus), these cones are refreshing and purifying for any space.
Kasturi Gold Incense Cones: These cones release the exotic and musky aroma of kasturi (musk), adding depth and warmth to the environment.
Premium Champa Incense Cones Jar : Offering the sweet and floral fragrance of champa flowers, these cones are perfect for creating a joyful, calming atmosphere.
Amber Gold Incense Cones : Infused with the rich and resinous scent of amber, these cones bring a luxurious and soothing aroma to your home.
Premium Sandal Incense Cones Jar : These cones provide the sacred scent of sandalwood, ideal for meditation, prayer, and creating a peaceful ambiance.
Oudh Gold Incense Cones : These cones release the rich, woody fragrance of oudh, known for its calming and spiritual properties.
Sambrani Cups
Nirmal Cow Dung Sambrani Cup - Jar : Made from pure cow dung, these eco-friendly sambrani cups are ideal for traditional rituals and purification.
Havan Sambrani Dhoop Cup: These cups are crafted for performing daily prayer rituals, havan (fire rituals), offering a natural, aromatic blend for spiritual purification.
Shakti Rose Sambrani Cup : Infused with the sweet and soothing fragrance of roses, these sambrani cups are perfect for creating a serene and pleasant atmosphere.
Shakti Loban Sambrani Cup : Offering the earthy and resinous fragrance of loban, these sambrani cups are perfect for deep cleansing and ritualistic use.
Shakti Sandal Sambrani Cup : With the sacred and woody fragrance of sandalwood, these cups are ideal for religious ceremonies and meditative spaces.
Lakshmi Aarti
Perform the Lakshmi Aarti by singing "Jai Lakshmi Mata" or "Om Jai Lakshmi Mata" while rotating the lit lamp (aarti) in a circular motion in front of the idols. Family members can participate in this part of the puja.
After the aarti, sprinkle holy water (from the Kalash) around the house for purification and blessings.
Distribute Prasad
Once the puja is complete, distribute the prasad (sweets and fruits) among family members and guests. It is customary to place the coins or money used during the puja in your wallet or safe to symbolize the retention of wealth and prosperity.
Additional Steps for Wealth and Prosperity
Place Lamps Outside the House: Light diyas outside your home, especially near the entrance, to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. The lighting of diyas represents the removal of darkness and negativity and attracts wealth and prosperity.
Chopda Pujan: Business people and shop owners can also perform Chopda Pujan, where the account books are worshiped to seek blessings for a prosperous financial year.
Keep the House Brightly Lit: Ensure your home remains brightly lit throughout the night. This is believed to invite Goddess Lakshmi into your home, as she prefers well-lit places.
Conclusion
Lakshmi Puja on Diwali is an integral part of the festival that is not only a religious observance but also a spiritual practice to invite wealth and positivity. By following this step-by-step ritual, you ensure that your home and heart are prepared to receive the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, leading to prosperity and abundance in your life.
With the right preparation and devotion, performing this sacred puja will create an atmosphere of joy, peace, and prosperity for you and your family this Diwali 2024.
Happy Deepawali !!!
