Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most celebrated Hindu festival worldwide. The proper performance of Lakshmi-Ganesh puja on Diwali night is believed to bring wealth, prosperity, and divine blessings for the entire year.
✦ When is Diwali?
Diwali falls on Amavasya (new moon) of Kartika month — typically late October or early November. The exact date varies by Hindu calendar but is fixed astronomically.
✦ Five Days of Diwali
Day 1: Dhanteras (Trayodashi) - Worship of Lord Dhanvantari - Buying gold, silver, utensils - Lighting first diya outside home
Day 2: Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi - Abhyanga snan (oil bath) - Worship of Lord Krishna - Lighting 14 diyas
Day 3: Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Amavasya) - Main day - Lakshmi-Ganesh puja - Lighting entire home with diyas - Bursting fireworks - Sweets and gifts exchange
Day 4: Govardhan Puja - Worship of Lord Krishna - Annakoot (mountain of food offerings) - Worship of cows
Day 5: Bhai Dooj - Sister-brother bond celebration - Sister applies tilak to brother - Brother gives gifts
✦ Choosing Auspicious Muhurat
Pradosh Kaal Muhurat Most preferred for Lakshmi puja - 2.5 hours after sunset. This is when Lakshmi visits earth.
Mahanishita Kaal Midnight muhurat - for tantric practitioners.
Sthir Lagna Fixed sign rising: - Vrishabha (Taurus) - Simha (Leo) - Vrishchika (Scorpio) - Kumbha (Aquarius)
✦ Pre-Puja Preparations
House Cleaning - Deep clean entire house - Discard old, broken items - Paint or whitewash walls - Clean and decorate temple area
Decoration - Rangoli at entrance - Marigold torans - Diya placement plan - Fresh flowers - Light decorations
Items Required - **Idols**: Lakshmi-Ganesh murti - **Kalash**: Filled with water, mango leaves, coconut - **Money**: Coins for puja - **Lotus**: Especially red lotus - **Sweets**: Various varieties - **Fruits**: Coconut, banana, apple - **Flowers**: Marigold, rose, jasmine - **Diyas**: Earthen lamps with cotton wicks - **Ghee**: For lamps and offerings - **Camphor**: For aarti - **Incense sticks** - **Kumkum, haldi, akshat** - **Cash and gold ornaments** - **Account books** - **New clothes**
✦ Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi
Step 1: Cleansing (Pavitra Karan) - Sprinkle Ganga jal everywhere - Take ritual bath - Wear new clean clothes
Step 2: Sankalp - Sit facing east or north - Light a diya - Take sankalp (resolution) for puja
Step 3: Ganesh Puja - Place Ganesh idol on red cloth - Offer water (achman) - Apply tilak with akshat - Offer flowers, modak, durva - Chant: "Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha"
Step 4: Kalash Puja - Establish kalash with mango leaves - Place coconut on top - Worship as Goddess Lakshmi - Offer flowers and rice
Step 5: Lakshmi Puja - Place Lakshmi idol on lotus - Bath idol with milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar (panchamrit) - Wash with clean water - Apply chandan, kumkum - Offer red flowers (especially lotus) - Place new clothes (sari/dhoti) for Devi - Adorn with jewelry
Step 6: Naivedya - Offer freshly prepared sweets - Khoya barfi, laddu, kheer - Coconut, banana, apple - Special prasad
Step 7: Mantra Chanting **Lakshmi Mantra:** "Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha" 108 times with mala
Lakshmi Stotra: Sri Lakshmi Suktam Kanakdhara Stotra
Step 8: Aarti - Light diya/camphor - Sing Lakshmi aarti - Move flame in clockwise circles - Show flame to all family members
Step 9: Pradakshina - Walk around the puja area 3 times - Pray for prosperity - Take blessings
Step 10: Distribution - Distribute prasad - Touch elders' feet - Light remaining diyas - Burst fireworks (carefully)
✦ Important Mantras
Mahalakshmi Mantra "Om Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha"
Kuber Mantra (for wealth) "Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadi Padayeh Dhana Dhanya Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha"
Ganesh Mantra (start) "Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada"
✦ Lakshmi Aarti
"Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata Tumko Nishadin Sevat, Hari Vishnu Vidhata Om Jai Lakshmi Mata"
✦ Special Practices
For Wealth - Worship lakshmi yantra - Place silver/gold coins in puja - Open new account books - Light Akhand Jyoti
For Business - Worship Saraswati for wisdom - Worship Kuber for wealth - Display new ledgers - Decorate cash counter
For Family - Family puja together - Distribute sweets to all - Visit elders - Donate to needy
✦ Things to Avoid
Don'ts - Don't gamble (despite tradition) - Don't drink alcohol - Don't eat meat - Don't be lazy - Don't sleep early - Don't speak harshly - Don't sweep at night - Don't lend money
Do's - Wake before sunrise - Wear new clothes - Keep home well-lit - Welcome Lakshmi with respect - Donate to poor - Forgive grudges - Start new ventures - Keep windows open
✦ Prasad Ideas
Sweets - Khoya barfi - Coconut barfi - Boondi laddu - Motichoor laddu - Kheer - Halwa
Savory - Namak para - Sev mathari - Mixture - Murukku
✦ Modern Diwali Tips
Eco-Friendly - Use earthen diyas instead of electric - Avoid noisy fireworks - Use organic colors - Plant trees
Safety - Keep water buckets ready - Wear cotton clothes - Keep first aid handy - Supervise children
✦ Conclusion
Diwali Lakshmi Puja, when performed with devotion and proper procedure, is believed to invite Goddess Lakshmi to permanently reside in your home. The festival is not just about wealth but about welcoming knowledge (Saraswati), wealth (Lakshmi), and obstacle-removing wisdom (Ganesh). May your Diwali be filled with light, prosperity, and divine blessings!