Sunday, November 8, 2026
The Festival of Lights, celebrating the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for prosperity. Homes are illuminated with diyas and rangoli, fireworks light up the sky, and families exchange sweets and gifts.
Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Ganesha and Lord Kubera
Clean the entire house thoroughly during the day. Draw Lakshmi footprints leading from the entrance to the puja room using rice flour. Decorate the entrance with rangoli, torans, and diyas.
After an evening bath, wear new or clean clothes. Sit facing east or north at the puja altar. Hold water, flower, and akshat in your right palm and make the Sankalp — dedicating the puja to Lakshmi for prosperity, Kubera for wealth, and Ganesha for auspicious beginnings.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। अद्य कार्तिक अमावस्यायाम् श्री लक्ष्मी पूजनम् करिष्ये।
Place a kalash filled with water (drop a coin, akshat, supari, flower into it) at the center of the altar. Top it with five mango leaves and a coconut wrapped in red cloth. Tie moli around the neck.
Worship Lord Ganesha first to remove obstacles. Offer durva, red flowers, chandan, akshat, and modak to Ganesha with his mantra. No Hindu puja proceeds without first invoking Ganesha.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Invoke Goddess Lakshmi by placing a lotus on her idol. Offer the sixteen upacharas: Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya, Snana with panchamrit and Gangajal, Vastra, Chandan, Akshat, Pushpa (lotus especially), Dhupa, Deepa (ghee lamp), Naivedya, Tambula, Phala (fruits), Dakshina, Pradakshina.
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः॥
Worship Lord Kubera — the treasurer of the gods — to the left of Lakshmi. Offer him yellow flowers, akshat, and coins. Place cash, jewellery, and account books before him for blessing.
ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धनधान्याधिपतये धनधान्यसमृद्धिं मे देहि दापय स्वाहा॥
Recite the Shri Suktam from the Rig Veda — the most sacred hymn to Lakshmi — or the Kanakadhara Stotra of Adi Shankaracharya. Also chant 'Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah' 108 times on a rudraksha or kamal gatta mala.
Light eleven diyas around the puja area and outside the house — at the entrance, on the windowsills, and in the courtyard. The light welcomes Lakshmi and dispels inauspiciousness.
Perform the Lakshmi Aarti with lit camphor in a thali, circling clockwise in front of the goddess. Ring the bell and sing 'Om Jai Lakshmi Mata'. Conclude with deep-daan — gifting a small lamp.
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता। तुमको निस दिन सेवत, हर विष्णु विधाता॥
Offer a final pushpanjali to Lakshmi, prostrate, and ask for blessings. Distribute the naivedya — sweets, kheer, batasha — to all family members and neighbours. Keep a small lamp lit through the night in front of the goddess.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.