Diwali Pooja Vidhi: Step-by-Step Guide to Lakshmi Pooja 2024
In Hinduism there are various festivals yet one festival is celebrated on a large scale across the world in the Hindu community is Diwali, popularly known as the Festival of Lights. It is one of the most celebrated festivals in India, known for its rich traditions, festive spirit, and cultural significance. Diwali is primarily celebrated as the return of Lord Shri Ram to his kingdom after defeating Ravana hence lighting lamps for his victory and welcome.
The 5 days of Diwali are a combination of festivals among which the first day is Narakchaturdashi and Abhyanga Snana, then the second day is Dhantrayodashi, on third Lakshmi Pooja, and finally Bhaidooj. Each of these has a special significance yet Mahalaxmi puja vidhi holds a special place. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, visits homes on Diwali night to bless her devotees with abundance. To ensure you welcome her presence, it is important to perform the proper Lakshmi Puja vidhi at home.
So in this blog, we will take you through the step-by-step guide to performing Lakshmi Puja vidhi on Diwali 2024, ensuring you follow the rituals correctly and invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi for a prosperous year ahead.
Significance of Laxmi Puja Vidhi:
Lakshmi Pooja is performed to invite wealth, good fortune, prosperity, and happiness into one’s home. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi showers her blessings on those who perform the Laxmi Pujan with sincerity and devotion. This pooja is done on Amavasya, the new moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik, marking the third day of Diwali festivities.
It is said to be the darkest night in ancient scriptures this marks the day when Goddess Laxmi emerged from the Ocean of Milk in the instance of Samudra Manthan. Hence it is believed that performing the Diwali Laxmi Puja Vidhi and lighting a lamp would pave the way through darkness and the goddess would bless you. The pooja also symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, as homes are illuminated with lamps and decorated with rangoli, inviting positive energy.
Preparations for Diwali Pooja Vidhi:
Before starting the Lakshmi Puja Vidhi at home, it’s important to make the right preparations. Here are some essential steps to ensure that the pooja is conducted properly.
- The very first thing is to clean the home thoroughly as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits homes that are clean and clutter-free, hence, ensuring that the space is organized remove any dirt in your living space
- Prepare a designated and sacred space for the pooja vidhi for Diwali, preferably in the northeast direction of your home, and ay down a clean cloth or pooja mat
- To decorate the place use diyas (oil lamps), candles, and electric lights, additionally, create a beautiful rangoli at the entrance to welcome the goddess. There is a great significance of Rangoli in Diwali celebrations, it is an intricate art form made with colorful powders, symbolizing prosperity, welcoming positive energy, and the goddess Lakshmi into homes, while adding beauty and vibrancy to the festive atmosphere.
- One needs to gather pooja items that include
- A clean idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha
- Kalash (water-filled pot) with mango leaves
- Fresh flowers (preferably marigold)
- Fruits and sweets (prasad)
- Coconut
- Betel leaves and nuts
- Coins or gold/silver items
- Turmeric, kumkum, rice, and roli (red powder)
- Ghee or oil for the diyas
- Incense sticks and camphor
Step-by-Step Guide For Lakshmi Puja Vidhi on Diwali
1. Purification (Shuddhi) of Space and Self:
It is advised before starting Diwali pooja vidhi to complete purification of the space and yourself, sprinkle some Ganga Jal (holy water) in the pooja area and around the house to cleanse it of negative energies; wash your hands and feet and wear clean, traditional clothes.
2. Invocation of Lord Ganesha:
Before beginning any kind of pooja it is Hindu tradition to invoke the blessing of Bhagwan Ganesh as the remover of obstacles. So for Lakshmi puja vidhi at home light a diya and incense sticks, and offer flowers, sweets, and coconut to Lord Ganesha. Chant the Ganesh Mantra, “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” which will help clear any hurdles and make the pooja successful.
3. Establishing the Kalash:
In Hindu tradition, Kalash is a symbol of prosperity and abundance, so for the Diwali Laxmi Puja Vidhi take a clean copper or brass pot and fill it with water. Place five mango leaves around the mouth of the Kalash and cover it with a coconut. Place this Kalash in front of the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. You can also keep some coins, grains of rice, and turmeric inside the Kalash, symbolizing wealth and fertility.
4. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi:
Now, for the main part of the Laxmi Pujan worshipping Goddess Lakshmi; start by offering fresh flowers, especially lotus flowers (the goddess’s favorite), fruits, sweets, and betel leaves. Then light the lamps (diyas) in front of her idol or picture, and chant the Lakshmi Mantra “Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhayo Namah”. After the mantra recite Lakshmi Aarti with devotion, inviting the goddess to enter your home and bless your family. During the aarti, you can ring bells, blow a conch shell, or clap your hands, all of which signify the presence of divine energy.
5. Offering Naivedya:
During any kind of pooja offering or Bhog is essential, so prepare or buy some sweets, fruits, or special dishes and offer them as Naivedya to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Traditional sweets like laddoo, modak, and peda are commonly used during Lakshmi Pooja.
6. Perform Dhan Lakshmi Pooja:
For the Dhan Lakshmi or Mahalaxmi Puja Vidhi, place coins or any gold or silver items on a clean plate and offer them to Goddess Lakshmi. This symbolizes inviting wealth and prosperity into your life. You can also offer a new account book, especially if you run a business, to invoke her blessings for financial success.
7. Light Diyas Around the House:
Once the pooja is complete, light diyas around the house and place them in all rooms, corners, and at the entrance do not leave any corner dark. This tradition is done to dispel darkness and invite the goddess into every part of the home. The light of the diyas symbolizes the presence of divine energy and prosperity bringing happiness and peace to the home.
8. Recite Lakshmi Chalisa and Aarti:
To complete the pooja, recite the Lakshmi Chalisa or sing the Lakshmi Aarti. It is a devotional song that thanks the goddess for her blessings and asks for continued prosperity. It’s an important part of the Diwali Laxmi Puja Vidhi that brings the entire family together to offer gratitude and prayer.
9. Distribute Prasad:
After the pooja, distribute Prasad the bhog that was offered to goddess to all family members and guests. The prasad symbolizes the divine blessings of the goddess and is shared as an act of goodwill.
10. Closing Rituals:
Finally, after the Laxmi Pujan, it is customary to bow down before the goddess and seek her blessings for the coming year. One can also place some money, jewelry, or valuable items in front of the goddess to receive her divine grace, abundance, and growth in the existing wealth. The pooja concludes with the family coming together to enjoy a festive meal and celebrate Diwali with love and joy.
To conclude the Diwali Pooja Vidhi should be concluded with dedication and following the proper procedure ensuring that you welcome wealth, prosperity, and positive energy into your home. As you celebrate Diwali 2024, take the time to perform the rituals with love and devotion, inviting Goddess Lakshmi to bless your family with success and happiness in the coming year.
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