This year, Diwali will be celebrated on Monday, October 20. On this night, devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi during the shubh muhurat. According to scriptures, Lakshmi Puja is ideally performed during Pradosh Kaal or Nishita Kaal, though most traditions observe it in a suitable auspicious time between the two.
Shubh Muhurat for Lakshmi Puja 2025
Pradosh Kaal: 5:57 PM – 8:27 PM
Ideal Puja Time: 7:08 PM – 8:17 PM
Nishita Kaal: 11:47 PM – 12:36 AM
Lakshmi Puja Method (Shodashopachar)
The puja is performed in 16 steps, known as Shodashopachar Puja:
1. Dhyana-Prarthana (Meditation & Prayer)
2. Asana (Offering Seat)
3. Padya (Washing of Feet)
4. Arghya (Offering Water)
5. Achamana (Purification Sip)
6. Snana (Bath for the Deity)
7. Vastra (Clothing)
8. Yajnopavita (Sacred Thread)
9. Gandhakshata (Sandal & Rice)
10. Pushpa (Flowers)
11. Dhoop (Incense)
12. Diya (Earthen Lamp)
13. Naivedya (Prasad Offering)
14. Tambul & Dakshina (Betel Leaves & Donation)
15. Mantra & Pushpanjali (Chanting Mantras And Offering Flowers)
16. Pradakshina & Namaskar (Circumambulation & Bown Down Before Deity)
Essential Items for Lakshmi Puja
Idols/Pictures: Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha (seated forms preferred)
Decoration & Setup: Wooden platform, red or yellow cloth, rangoli materials
Purification: Ganga Jal, clean water, Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
Clothing & Jewelry: New clothes, bangles, bindis, sindoor, mehendi for deities
Flowers: Lotus (essential), roses, or other fragrant flowers
Offerings: Akshat (Rice), kumkum, turmeric, sandalwood, abeer, gulal
Lighting & Incense: Diyas with ghee or sesame oil, cotton wicks, incense sticks, kapur
Naivedya (Food Offering): Sweets, fruits (e.g., sugarcane, water chestnut), batasha, popped rice, betel leaves, betel nut, cardamom, cloves
Other important Items: Cowries, lotus seeds, coriander seeds, coins, kalash with mango leaves, 5different leaves, coconut
Tip: Keeping lotus flowers, puffed rice (khil), batasha, and coriander seeds during the puja is considered very auspicious. Use ghee or sesame oil for lighting diyas. Clean the house and puja area thoroughly before starting.
Step-by-Step Lakshmi Puja Procedure
Preparation:
1. Bath & Purity: Wake early, bathe, wear clean/new clothes, and apply tilak.
2. Setup: Choose a clean, quiet place. Spread a red or yellow cloth on a platform.
3. Idol Placement: Place Lord Ganesha on the right and Goddess Lakshmi on the left (Ganesha should be worshipped first).
4. Kalash Setup: Fill a kalash with water, add betel nut, coin, and akshat. Cover with mango leaves and place a coconut on top (symbolizing Lord Varuna).
5. Wealth Placement: Place jewelry, coins, account books, and business items on a red cloth before the deities.
6. Lighting: Light a diya with ghee or sesame oil and place it on rice or turmeric.
Puja Procedure:
1. Purification: Sprinkle water on yourself and the puja items.
2. Sankalp: Take water, akshat, and flowers in hand, state your wish, and declare your intention to worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Then drop the water on the floor.
3. Lord Ganesha Puja: Offer roli, akshat, durva, flowers, and modak/ladoo while chanting “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.”
4. Invoke Goddess Lakshmi: Meditate, offer a flower, and invite her presence.
5. Abhishek: Bathe Lakshmi’s idol with Panchamrit and then with clean water. Dry and reinstall the idol.
6. Clothing & Jewelry: Offer red chunri, new clothes, bangles, and jewelry.
7. Tilak & Flowers: Apply kumkum, turmeric, akshat on Goddess Lakshmi, and offer lotus or red/yellow flowers.
8. Lighting & Incense: Light incense sticks and a ghee diya.
9. Naivedya: Offer puffed rice, batasha, sweets, fruits (sugarcane, water chestnut), betel nuts-leaves, and water.
10. Special Offerings: Offer cowries, lotus seeds, coriander seeds, and coins at her feet.
11. Mantra Chanting: Recite Lakshmi Chalisa or chant- “Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalayae Praseeda Praseeda Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.”
12. Aarti: Perform aarti with kapur or diya for Ganesha and Lakshmi.
13. Forgiveness: Pray for forgiveness for any mistakes during the puja.
14. Prasad Distribution: Share prasad and light diyas in every corner of the home.
After the Puja (Next Day): Wrap coins, lotus seeds, and cowries used in the puja in a red cloth and keep them in your locker or wealth area. Distribute remaining prasad (puffed rice and batasha) among family and neighbors.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is based on beliefs and information only. Always consult a concerned expert.
