Lakshmi Puja

Diwali festival has special significance among Hindus. Everybody yearns for prosperity and happiness in life. All the devotees worship the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, on Deepawali to please her. Ganesh, Saraswati, Shri Ram, and Kuber are also worshipped on this auspicious day.

Hindus invoke Mahalakshmi to their home with decoration, lighting of lamps, aarti, and recitation of mantras. However, the majority of people are not aware of the reason for puja.

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Puja Day

As per the Hindu calendar(panchang), Deewali is celebrated on Amavasya (new moon day) of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. In 2021, it is falling on November 4, 2021, on Thursday.

Mythology about Puja

Down the ages, Hindus have been celebrating Deewali. Let us know why Lakshmi, Ganesh, and Saraswati are worshipped in the main puja of Deewali.

As per beliefs, demons fought a fierce battle with the gods before the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). Once the gods won the battle against demons. After losing the battle, the demons hid away in Patal Lok (the underworld, netherworld). The demons had realized that they could not get the better of the gods for their awesome power. At that time, Lakshmi in her 8 forms was showering wealth on the gods.

Due to this victory and benediction of goddess, the ego started growing in deities. One day, Durvasa Rishi came upon Indra Dev with his elephant Airavat. He was very pleased to see Indra, and he took out the garland from his neck and threw it to Indra Dev. Indra Dev was engrossed in himself, and the garland fell on the head of the Airavat elephant. Airavat shook its head, and the garland fell and got crushed by its feet. Seeing it, Rishi Durvasa grew angry and cursed Indra Dev that you are getting arrogant due to goddess of wealth, and now she will leave you and go Patal Lok (the underworld).

The gods, including Indra, became weak after the desertion of goddess. With goddess, the demons grew powerful, and they were hatching plans to conquer Indra Lok.

All the gods approached Brahmaji and shared their woes with him. Brahma Ji advised them to churn the ocean. The gods and demons churned the ocean and Mahalakshmi appeared on Kartik Amavasya. Thus, the gods regained their power.

Goddess was coming from the churning of the ocean. All the deities were worshipping goddess with folded hands, Lord Vishnu was also praying Mahalakshmi at that time. This is the reason for Lakshmi Puja on Kartik Amavasya. To avoid any mistakes in the time of wealth, Ganesha and Saraswati are also worshipped along with the goddess.

Puja Preparation

Lakshmi loves cleanliness and resides only in clean places. A few days before Deepawali, houses and shops are cleaned and decorated. As per Purana, Mahalakshmi arrives on the earth and roams in every house on this day. She stays in clean and bright homes. Sprinkle Gangajal at the house for purification. At the entrance of the house, make rangoli and put earthen lamps. Colorful lights, twinkling of lamps, and bursting of fireworks make the environment livelier.

Worship System

All family members should gather to perform puja. Spread red cloth and keep an urn of water at the place of worship. Ganesh Ji is worshipped first at the beginning of puja. Bathe the idol, and then offer clothes and flowers to it. Place the idol of Maa Lakshmi at the place of worship, and invoke her to your residential place. Bathe Maa Lakshmi with water, Panchamrit, and again water. Then, offer fruits, turmeric, jaggery, garlands, jewelry, and clothes to her. Offer perfume and apply tilak with akshat(rice), kumkum, and roli on the idols. Light earthen lamp and incense sticks. Now, offer rose flowers, bel patra, and other leaves at Lakshmi’s feet. Begin Aarti after offering 11-12 rice pieces. Offer bhog and circumambulate after finishing aarti. Chant mantra "Om Mahalakshmaiya Namah".

Worship business equipment, safe, and bookkeeping after puja. After puja, give away sweets and Dakshina to needy people. Except for old people and children, everyone should have meals after worship in the evening.

Importance of Worship

From the time immemorial, the arrival of goddess is associated with wealth and prosperity. Devotees worship Goddess to please her for health, wealth, and prosperity. Towards this aim, houses are decorated and illuminated. Puja is performed in myriads of countries where POI (people of Indian Origin), NRI (Non-resident Indians), or Hindus of local descent reside. People visit homes of relatives, neighbors, and other acquaintances to exchange sweets and congratulate them on this grand occasion.