How to perform or do Lakshmi Puja on Diwali? There is no straight forward answer to this question on Laxmi puja. The procedure of Deepavali Lakshmi puja varies from region to region and from community to community and involves various steps. Diwali Laxmi Puja 2025 date is October 20. Only Maharashtra calendars have marked it on October 21. Ideal time for puja is from sunset to midnight. The importance of Diwali Lakshmi puja comes from the popular belief that performing it will help in attaining peace, prosperity and all type of wealth.
Please note that this is only a guide to give an idea of the Puja. Some of the rituals mentioned might not be performed by your community. You can always skip it.
Items needed for Diwali Lakshmi Puja?
- Ganesha Idol or Painting
- Lakshmi Idol or Panting
- Coins gold or silver or the usual coins
- Rangoli colors
- White powder of rice
- Silver or earthen or copper pot
- Red cloth
- Sandal wood paste
- Kumkum
- Mango or betel leaves
- Coconut
- Betel nut
- Rice mixed with Turmeric – Akshata
- Sweet
- Fruits
- Usual Puja and Aarati items
How to do or perform a simple Diwali Lakshmi Puja?
Cleanliness
Cleanliness the most the important aspect during Diwali Lakshmi Puja. Goddess Lakshmi only resides where there is neatness. This is a well known fact and so people keep their homes, compounds and puja arena neat and clean.
Rangoli Designs
Special Rangoli designs are drawn to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. In some regions small feet are drawn. Some people also draw usual human feet representing Goddess Lakshmi.
Preparing the Puja Area
Place idols or Portraits of Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha in the puja area.
Prepare Kalash or Purna Kumbha
- Take a pot made of silver or copper and fill it half with water.
- Decorate it with mango leaves or betel leaves.
- Keep a coconut with the three eyes face upwards on the top of the pot.
- Tie red colored cloth on the neck of the pot.
- Draw four lines and a Swastik on the pot using sandalwood paste or kumkum.
- This Purna Kumbha Symbolically represents the Supreme Power.
- Place this prominently in the Puja Area
Preparing Navgrahas (This is usually performed only by some communities so you can skip this ritual.)
In the puja area spread a red colored cloth and keep 9 small mounds of rice. Place a betel nut on top of each mound and this represents the Navgrahas.
Placing Coins
Place some coins near the portrait of Goddess Lakshmi.
Diwali Lakshmi Puja Procedure
Perform the usual purification ritual before puja like sprinkling water on the self.
First Pray to Ganesha
First light a lamp before Ganesha and offer prayers to Ganesha by chanting any Ganesha Shloka you know. Sprinkle water and place some Akshata in front of the portrait of Ganesha. Offer sweet and fruit to Ganesha.
Pray to the Purna Kumbha or Kalash
Sprinkle some water and then by sprinkling some Akshata.
Offer sweets and fruits to the Purna Kumbha or Kalash.
Pray to the Navgrahas
Sprinkle some water and sprinkle some Akshata on the nine mounds of rice with betel nut on top of it. Offer sweets and fruits.
Lakshmi Puja
Wash the coins with milk and then with water. Shake the coins in the hands and make the sound and place it in front of the image of Goddess Lakshmi. Sprinkle water on the portrait of Goddess Lakshmi and then sprinkle Akshata. Offer flowers. Perform the same ritual on the coins.
Offer fruits and sweets.
Chant any one of the Mahalaksmi Stotras like Lakshmi Ashtotaram.
Perform Aarati to Goddess Lakshmi.
Meditate on Goddess Lakshmi.
Distribute sweets and fruits as prasad.
Note: If you have other deities in the puja room sprinkle water and Akshata and pray to them before proceeding with Lakshmi Puja.
Always remember that what is important is devotion not the steps and procedure.
- Remember Lord Krishna was pleased with sweat drenched beaten rice (poha or aval) of Kuchela;
- Lord Shiva was pleased with the hunter who unknowingly kept on putting Bilva leaves on the Shivling and chanting Om Namah Shivaya,
In all these events the devotees acted with utmost devotion and this pleased the Supreme Lord.