Lakshmi Puja or the worship of Goddess of Wealth is the major event of Diwali celebrations especially in the Northern and Western India. Lakshmi Puja takes place on the third and the main day of Diwali. On this day traditional worship of Goddess Lakshmi is sincerely performed in all households and business establishments after sunset. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits every house during Diwali and gives blessings of peace and prosperity. People light up rows of lamps in the house to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and also to light up her path.

There is a tradition to keep the house spotlessly clean on Diwali as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi loves cleanliness and visits the cleanest house first. This also explains why broom is worshiped with an offering of haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermilion) on Diwali.

Legend of Lakshmi Puja
Hindu mythology regards Goddess Lakshmi as the Goddess of light, beauty, wealth and good fortune. She is said to be the daughter of sage Bhrigu who took refuge in the ocean of milk and was reborn during the famous ocean churning process carried out by Gods and demons. Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Goddess of Wealth and hence Lakshmi Puja is a very important part of the celebrations.

Goddess Lakshmi chose Lord Vishnu as her consort. People worship Goddess Lakshmi to gain riches but Goddess resides only with those who work hard and avoids the company of lazy or those who regard money as everything in life.

It may be noted that Lakshmi Puja is actually a combined puja of five deities. Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth and Money), Mahasaraswati (the Goddess of Books and Learning), and Mahakali. Worshipping of Kuber (the Treasurer of the Gods) is also an integral part of Lakshmi Puja.

Rituals and Process of Lakshmi Pooja

1. Clean the Puja room thoroughly.
2. Spread a new cloth on a raised platform.
3. Place a handful of grains in the center of the platform.
4. Over the grains place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper or terracotta.
5. Fill 3/4th of the pitcher with water and keep a betel nut, a flower, a coin and some rice grains in it.
6. Now, arrange five kinds of leaves or the auspicious mango leaves in the kalash.
7. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains.
8. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder (haldi) over the rice grains.
9. Place the idol of Lakshmi in a separate plate.
10. Bathe the idol with water.
11. Now, bathe the idol with panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar).
12. Bathe the idol with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl.
13. Wipe the idol clean and place it by the kalash with rice grains. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.
14. Place some silver coins along with the idol.
15. Place the idol of Lord Ganesha in front of the kalash on the right (South-West direction).
16. Place ink and books related to business or occupation on the platform.
17. Place fruits, sweets and salty snacks like (Mathri or namakpare) arranged in a plate. This would be used as prasad.
18. Light incense sticks and lamps filled with ghee.
19. Begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed.
20. Then offer haldi, kumkum and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.
21. Make an offering of fruits, snacks and sweet dishes some Dakshina or token money that could be given to needy later on.
22. Offer paan (betel leaves) and cloves.
23. Offering of puffed rice and batasha is also made to the Goddess.
24. Pour a little of puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds and cumin seeds over the idol and on the safe where you keep money and jewelry; Safe is worshiped as a symbol of Lord Kuber on Diwali.
25. Now, worship the ink and business books. Open the first page of each book and write with tilak ''Shubha Labh '' and draw a Swastika in the clockwise direction.
26. Invoke Goddess Lakshmi by reciting Vedic mantras addressed to her.
27. One can also recite the mantras mentioned in the Puranas or simply take some flowers in your hands, close your eyes and think of Goddess Lakshmi being showered with gold coins by two elephants standing on either side of Her and chant Her name.
28. Offer the flowers to the idol.
29. Distribute the prasad amongst all present

Tips for the Aarti

1. While performing the aarti for Goddess Lakshmi always remember that She abhors loud noise.
2. Use only a small bell during the aarti.
3. Do not clap hands, as is the practice when performing aarti for other gods.
4. Ensure that a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere prevail during the pujan.
5. Do not light crackers while the puja is on or immediately after it.