Sri Lakshmi was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and took refuge in the ocean of milk when the gods were sent into exile. Lakshmi was reborn during the Churning of the Ocean. Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. While Laxmi is generally worshiped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desire her only as wealth.

It is extremely important to keep the house clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason MahaLakshmi is worshipped on this day with offerings of haldi and kumkum (turmeric and vermilion).

Before performing Laxi Pooja you must take a bath, and wear new, or at least clean, clothes. Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up Her path.

Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshipped.

Steps/Process Performing Lakshmi Puja

Spread a new cloth on a raised platform:

Place a handful of grains in the center and, on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, 5 Mango leaves inside the neck a flower, a coin. Place a saucer of rice ontop of the Kalash.  Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

Place the idol of Ganesha: In front of the kalash, on the right place the idol of Ganesha. You can also place books related to education, your business you desire. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.

MAHALAXMI PUJA

Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) and flowers over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

LAKSHMI MANTRA

Om Shree Laxmi Devayay Namah Oh Goddess Lakshmi ! We pray to you in benign solemnity to bestow your blessings and shower your wealth on us.

LAKSHMI MANTRA

OM SHREEM HEEM SHREEM KAMLE KAMALALAYE PRASEED PRASEED,

SHREEM HEEM SHREEM

OM MAHALAXMI NAMAYE

Om and salutations to that feminine energy which bestows all manner of wealth, and for which Shreem is the seed.Drop the flowers and the rice at the feet of the goddess.

OM SARVA LOKASYA JANANIM SULA HASTAM TRILO CANAMSARVADE VAMA YIMI SAM DEVI MAVA HAYA MY AHAM DEVIM AVAHA YAMI SWAHA

I invoke the mother of the three worlds, the three eyed one with the spear in her hand, in whom all the gods reside. I invoke the goddess.

LAKSHMI PANCHAMRITH STANAN :

Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.

OFFERINGS FOR MAHALAKSHMI:

Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume (Athar ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess. Offer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree). Light an incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul. Make an offering of puffed rice and batasha. Pour some puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol. Safe where you keep money and jewelry; Worship this safe as a symbol of Lord Kuber.

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