by Sande Waybill

Created on: October 09, 2009

Laxmi puja, also known as Lakshmi pooja, is celebrated on Amavasya, the third day of the Diwali festival. It is a highly important part of the Diwali traditions in Northern and Western India. Several deities are acknowledged in the traditional ritual, Ganesha in the form of Vighnaharta and Goddess Lakshmi in three variables: Mahalakshmi the Goddess of wealth, Mahasaraswati the Goddess of learning and books, and Mahakali.

One of the important parts of the Laxmi puja ritual occurs before it actually begins. It is important to clean the house properly beforehand. In the evening, welcome any visitors by providing a well-lit entrance. When everybody has gathered together, you can proceed with the customary tradition.

A clean and new cloth should be placed upon a raised platform. Several items should be placed upon the cloth. Grains should be placed in the center, beside which a three-quarter full pitcher of water should stand. This is called a kalash or lotta and you should add a coin, flower, betel nut, and rice grains to the water. In addition, five leaves should be included.

A small dish of rice grains should be placed upon the pitcher. A lotus should then be drawn above the rice using turmeric powder. Coins and a statuette of Goddess Lakshmi should then be added. A model of Ganesha should be placed to the front and right of the pitcher. Books and ink items concerning your occupation should also be placed on the platform.

Next, incense and a lamp should be lit. Flowers may also be offered to the platform at this stage. Turmeric, kumkum, and flowers should then be added to the puja water. You then sprinkle the puja water over all the paraphernalia. A panchamitra can be made at this point.

Recitation of the Ganesh mantras and aarti should follow, as it is appropriate to begin any puja by recognizing Ganesha. A garland, flowers, fruits, coconut and sweets should also be offered to Lord Ganesha.

The Laxmi mantras should then be spoken and flowers offered to the idol. The statuette of Laxmi should then be placed upon a plate and bathed with water, panchamrit, and water containing either a pearl or a gold item. The Laxmi idol should then be wiped clean and replaced in the original position. You should then offer several items to the Goddess. First, you should offer a garland. Pastes of saffron and sandal, perfume, turmeric, kumkum, flowers, sweets, coconut, tambul, and fruits are traditional offerings.

Next, the books should be addressed. On the opened first page of each book, one should write the words 'Shubha Labh'. A clockwise swastika should also be drawn here. All coins should then be washed in water, panchamrit, and then water again. Puffed rice and batasha are then offered. Along with cumin and coriander seeds, they should be poured over the idol. A little of this should be kept aside for prasad and placed where you keep your money and jewelry.

The final part of Laxmi puja is to perform the aartis for Goddess Laxmi and Om Jai Jagdish Hare. These can be accompanied by a bell if you wish, but not by clapping or loud noises. You then distribute prasad to all your guests and self. Lights and candles should then be lit up all over your house. There should be no darkness remaining, not even in a corner. You should not light inside diyas prior to the puja. Crackers should not be lit during the ceremony - or directly afterward.

URLs used for research:
http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/63943 8031.cms
http://www.diwalifestival.org/lakshmi-puja-on-diwali .html
http://www.indif.com/nri/Festivals/diwali_puja.asp

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