Lakshmi Puja Vidhi 2026

Before You Begin: Preparation

Cleansing the Space

On the day of Diwali (November 8, 2026), the home should be thoroughly cleaned in the morning. Sweep every corner, wash the floors, and remove all clutter. The goddess visits only spaces that are pure, clean, and welcoming.

Sprinkle Ganga jal (holy water) or clean water in every room, saying "Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va" to purify the space.

Setting Up the Altar (Puja Sthan)

Choose a clean, elevated surface — a wooden chowki (low table) is ideal. Cover it with a fresh red cloth. Place Goddess Lakshmi's idol on the right side and Lord Ganesh's idol on the left. The idols should face west (so they face east, the direction of sunrise).

• Place a copper or brass kalash (pot) filled with water on the right side
• Put 5 mango leaves in the kalash, topped with a coconut wrapped in red thread
• Place coins, jewellery, and your account books (Bahi Khata) near the idols
• Arrange all samagri items neatly in front of the altar
• Light 5 diyas — one for Ganesh, one for Lakshmi, one for Kuber, one for the kalash, one for the entrance

Personal Preparation

Take a bath and wear clean, new clothes — preferably yellow, red, or white. Women traditionally wear red or yellow sarees. Apply a tika (kumkum mark) on your forehead. Begin the puja in the Pradosh Kaal muhurat (6:53 PM IST).

Shodashopachara — 16-Step Puja Vidhi

The Shodashopachara (षोडशोपचार) is the traditional 16-step worship offering to the deity. Each step is an act of loving service to Goddess Lakshmi, treating her as an honored guest in your home.

1. Dhyana — Meditation & Invocation Sit comfortably facing east. Close your eyes. Take three deep breaths. Visualize Goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus, adorned in red and gold, holding lotus flowers and a pot of gold coins. Mentally invite her to your home with love.
   Mantra: "Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe, Vishnu Patniyai Cha Dhimahi, Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat"
2. Avahana — Formal Invitation Ring the puja bell and say aloud (or in your heart): "O Mahalakshmi, daughter of the ocean, consort of Lord Vishnu, please accept my invitation and grace this home with your divine presence tonight." Offer flowers as you speak.
   Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — Iha Agaccha, Iha Tishtha"
3. Asana — Offering a Seat Place a small cushion or red cloth square before the idol. Offer akshata (unbroken rice grains mixed with kumkum) saying: "O Goddess, please be seated on this sacred asana." This symbolizes providing the deity a worthy throne.
4. Padya — Washing the Feet Pour a small amount of clean water (or Ganga jal) into a plate placed before the idol. Say: "O Mahalakshmi, I humbly wash your lotus feet with this pure water." Offer a flower petal in the water.
   Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — Padyam Samarpayami"
5. Arghya — Water Offering Offer clean water in a small copper vessel or your cupped palms. This represents offering the sacred gift of water (considered most precious in ancient times) to the goddess.
6. Achaman — Sipping Water for Purification You (the devotee) sip a small amount of clean water thrice — this ritual self-purification prepares you to be a worthy host for the divine. Say: "Om Keshavaya Namah, Om Narayanaya Namah, Om Madhavaya Namah."
7. Snan — Sacred Bath (Panchamrit Abhishek) This is the ceremonial bathing of the idol with five sacred substances (Panchamrit). Pour each in sequence over the idol (placed in a large plate to collect): milk (purity), curd/yoghurt (prosperity), pure honey (sweetness), pure ghee (wisdom), raw sugar/sugar water (happiness). Then bathe with clean water. Dry the idol gently with a clean cloth.
8. Vastra — Offering of Clothing Offer a piece of new red or yellow cloth, or a small piece of silk, to the goddess. This represents clothing the divine form with respect and love. You may drape it around the idol or place it folded before the idol.
9. Yagnopavit — Sacred Thread Offering Offer a red or gold thread (mauli) near the idol. This sacred thread represents cosmic protection. For Goddess Lakshmi, this step may be adapted as offering a thin garland or strand of flowers.
10. Gandha — Sandalwood & Kumkum Apply sandalwood paste (chandan) and then kumkum (red vermillion) to the idol's forehead. Sandalwood represents coolness and purity; kumkum represents auspiciousness and the goddess's sacred energy. Use your ring finger for the application.
    Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — Chandanam Samarpayami"
11. Pushpa — Flower Offering Offer fresh flowers — lotus flowers are most sacred to Lakshmi, followed by marigolds and roses. Offer with both hands, saying: "With these flowers, I offer my love and devotion." Avoid using dried, withered, or scentless flowers.
    Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — Pushpam Samarpayami"
12. Dhupa — Incense Offering Light 3 or 5 incense sticks (agarbatti). Wave them in a clockwise circle before the goddess three times. The rising fragrant smoke carries your prayers upward to the divine. Use sandalwood, rose, or jasmine incense.
    Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — Dhupam Aghrapayami"
13. Deepa — Lamp Offering Light the main ghee diya (clay lamp filled with pure cow ghee). Wave it in a clockwise circle before the goddess. The flame symbolizes the light of wisdom that dispels the darkness of ignorance. Keep all diyas in the home lit throughout the night.
    Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — Deepam Darshayami"
14. Naivedya — Food Offering Place the consecrated food offering before the goddess. Traditional offerings include: kheer (rice pudding), laddoo (sweet balls), fruits, and specially prepared sweets. Offer with sincerity, saying: "O Mother, please accept this humble offering from your devotee." Do not consume the prasad until it has been offered and blessed.
    Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah — Naivedyam Samarpayami"
15. Tambula — Betel Offering & Dakshina Offer betel leaves (paan) with betel nut (supari) and a clove. Betel is considered an auspicious completion of the meal offering. Also place your dakshina (offering to the deity — can be coins, currency notes, or gold) at the feet of the idol at this time.
16. Aarti — The Grand Finale This is the most joyous part of the puja! Light the aarti plate (with lit camphor or 5-wick ghee diya). Hold it in your right hand and wave it in large clockwise circles before the goddess, moving from her feet, to her waist, to her face, then one full circle. Ring the bell continuously with your left hand. The entire family participates. Sing the Jai Lakshmi Mata aarti song. Do 3 or 7 aarti circles. After the aarti, pass the plate among all family members — each person moves their hands over the flame and brings them to their eyes, receiving the goddess's blessing.

Jai Lakshmi Mata — Aarti

After the Puja

1. Keep the Diyas Lit Do not extinguish the main puja diya until it naturally goes out. Keep all diyas in the home lit as long as possible — the longer they burn, the more Lakshmi's blessings fill the home.
2. Distribute Prasad Distribute the consecrated sweets and fruits to all family members, neighbours, and the poor. Giving prasad multiplies its blessings manifold.
3. Keep the Home Open and Lit On Diwali night, keep the main entrance of your home open. Light diyas and rangoli at the entrance to guide Goddess Lakshmi in. The front door should not be locked until late night.
4. Chant Mantra Throughout the Night Continue chanting "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" on a mala (108 beads). Each round of 108 chants deepens your connection to the goddess.
5. Avoid Arguments and Negativity Diwali night should be filled with positivity, laughter, and gratitude. Avoid arguments, harsh words, or negative thoughts. The goddess's energy is tender and retreats from discord.

Important Tips & Precautions