Lakshmi Puja Vidhi (लक्ष्मी पूजा विधि)
Goddess Lakshmi puja: Diwali and Friday worship, materials, installation, mantras, Shri Sukta and aarti.
When to do it
- Lakshmi-Ganesh puja on the evening of Diwali
- Every Friday
- Dhanteras, Sharad Purnima and Akshaya Tritiya
Puja materials checklist
Puja method (step by step)
Bath and purification
Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes. Keep the mind calm and put your phone away.
Prepare the place
Clean the place of worship. East or north-east is considered best. Spread a clean cloth on a low wooden seat (chowki) and install the idol or picture.
Lamp and achaman
Light the lamp and incense. Take water in the right palm and sip it three times (achaman).
Sankalp (resolve)
Holding water, rice grains (akshat) and a flower in your hand, say silently your name, gotra (if known) and the purpose of the puja, then pour the water on the ground. A resolve in simple language is also valid.
Ganesh vandana
Remembering Ganesha before any puja is considered auspicious in tradition.
Install Lakshmi and Ganesh
Spread a red cloth on the seat and place Ganesha to the left of Lakshmi. Keep a kalash nearby.
Invoke Lakshmi
With folded hands invoke Goddess Lakshmi and offer her a seat.
Bath, adornment, tilak
Sprinkle water for a symbolic bath. Apply a tilak of roli-sandalwood and offer cloth or kalava.
Lotus, khil-batashe and coins
Offer a lotus or rose, khil-batashe and coins.
Shri Sukta or mantra japa
Recite the Shri Sukta or chant the Lakshmi mantra 108 times.
Bhog
Offer sweets, kheer and fruit.
Aarti
Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Let all family members stand together, and take the aarti at the end.
Prayer for forgiveness
Ask humbly for forgiveness for any mistake made during the puja.
Prasad and closing
Share the prasad with everyone and take some yourself. Take the blessings of elders. Immerse flowers and other puja materials in flowing water or under a tree, rather than throwing them in the trash.
Mantras
✔ Do
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja
- Sit with a calm mind and faith
- Keep the bhog clean and prepared at home
- Share the prasad with everyone after the puja
- Keep the house, safe and puja place clean
- Donate something to a needy person after the puja
✘ Do not
- Do not get distracted by your phone or conversation during the puja
- Avoid anger, gossip and harsh speech
- Do not offer stale or impure flowers and bhog
- Do not place the idol or picture directly on the floor
- Do not make gambling and the like a part of the festival
- Do not trouble animals, elders and the environment with firecrackers
Common mistakes
- Limiting the puja to a wish for wealth; in tradition Lakshmi is linked with cleanliness, hard work and harmony
- Installing Lakshmi’s idol alone; worship with Ganesha is the tradition
- Carelessness about lamps and cleanliness
Auspicious muhurat
On Diwali, worship in the Pradosh Kaal and a sthir lagna is considered best. The Friday puja can be done in the evening. Check the panchang for the exact time.
Related aarti, katha and mantra
Frequently asked questions
Why is Ganesha worshipped with Lakshmi?
Which flower should be offered in Lakshmi puja?
What is Lakshmi’s favourite bhog?
Should Lakshmi puja be done every Friday?
In which direction should Lakshmi puja be done?
Other puja vidhis
Note: puja methods vary by family, region and sect. The method given here is a simple, general form. Give priority to your family tradition or your pandit’s guidance.