1. About Goddess Lakshmi
Maa Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, beauty, prosperity and auspiciousness. She is the consort of Lord Vishnu and one of the Tridevi. Her worship brings material comfort, spiritual abundance and domestic harmony. She is depicted holding lotus flowers, seated on a pink lotus, with gold coins flowing from one hand โ symbolising endless giving.
"Lakshmi does not merely bring material wealth โ she brings Sampad, the complete fullness of life: virtue, knowledge, beauty, family, health and prosperity in equal measure."
2. Samagri (Puja Items) Required
- Lakshmi idol or framed image
- Red cloth for the altar; red or pink flowers (lotus preferred)
- Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar)
- Kumkum (vermilion), turmeric, sandalwood paste
- Incense sticks, ghee lamp
- Coins, betel leaves and betel nuts
- Kheel (puffed rice), batasha (sugar sweets), coconut
- Lotus seeds (Makhana) โ especially dear to Lakshmi
3. Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi
- Sankalpa โ Take a handful of water in the right palm, state your name and intention, and release the water
- Ganesh Puja โ Begin by worshipping Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles
- Purification โ Sprinkle Gangajal on yourself, the idol and all puja items
- Avahana โ Invoke Lakshmi with the mantra: Om Lakshmi Agaccha Agaccha Svaha
- Panchamrit Abhishek โ Bathe the idol with the five sacred substances
- Shodashopachara โ Offer 16 items: water for feet, hands, mouth; flowers; incense; lamp; food; etc.
- Lakshmi Stotra โ Recite the Shri Sukta (from the Rigveda) or Lakshmi Ashtakam
- Aarti โ Perform aarti with a five-flame diya while ringing the bell
- Pradakshina โ Circumambulate the deity three times clockwise
- Prasad โ Distribute kheel, batasha and coconut as prasad
4. Shri Sukta โ Opening Verse
Hiranya Varnam Harinim Suvarna Rajata Srajam,
Chandraam Hiranmayim Lakshmim Jatavedo Ma Aavaha.
Translation: "O Jataveda! Bring to me Lakshmi โ golden-hued, wearing gold and silver garlands, moon-like, radiant as gold, the very form of Sri."
5. Weekly Shukravar (Friday) Puja
Friday is Lakshmi's day. A short weekly puja on Fridays โ offering white or red flowers, lighting a ghee lamp, reciting the Lakshmi Stotra and distributing kheer or sweets โ is said to bring continuous prosperity to the household. Yellow colour, turmeric and lotus are especially auspicious on this day.