Diwali night (Amavasya of Kartik month) is the principal observance. Also: every Friday for weekly worship; on the Pradosh of every fortnight; on Akshaya Tritiya; at home/business inauguration.
Significance
Lakshmi Puja is the central rite of Diwali — performed on the new-moon night (Amavasya) of Kartik month, when Goddess Lakshmi is believed to walk the earth in person and bless homes that are ready to receive her. The houses are cleaned, lit with diyas, and adorned with rangoli — every detail of the home is a signal that Lakshmi is welcome.
Lakshmi is never worshipped alone. She is invoked alongside Ganesha (the remover of obstacles), and often Kuber (the treasurer of wealth) and Saraswati (the goddess of learning) in a four-deity layout that signals the household values material prosperity grounded in wisdom and learning.
The puja's central scriptural element is the Shri Suktam — a Vedic hymn of fifteen verses praising Lakshmi as the embodiment of golden grace. The hymn is chanted while offering lotus flowers, sweets, and sandalwood. The puja concludes with the Lakshmi Aarti ('Om Jai Lakshmi Mata') sung as a family.
Samagri checklist
Lakshmi murti or image (with Ganesh and optionally Kuber and Saraswati)
Silver coin or pure silver Lakshmi coin (placed in front of the deity)
New ledger / account book (for businesses) or new exercise book (households)
Lotus flowers (or rose / marigold if lotus unavailable)
Akshat (rice with turmeric and a drop of kumkum), 21 cowrie shells
Clean the entire home thoroughly in the days leading up to Diwali. Lakshmi only enters a clean home — this is non-negotiable in tradition.
On the morning of Diwali, wear new clothes (ideally red, yellow, or pink). Set up a north or east-facing puja chowki covered in red or yellow cloth.
Place the Ganesh murti to the right of the central area. Place the Lakshmi murti at the centre. Place Kuber (if available) to Lakshmi's left.
Place a kalash with mango leaves and coconut to the right of Lakshmi. In front of the deities place a silver coin, a new ledger, and a small heap of rice with kumkum.
After sundown (Pradosh kaal is ideal), light the central long-wick diya — this diya should burn through the night.
Light the puja diya, agarbatti, and dhoop. Begin with Achamana and Pranayama.
Perform Sankalpa: state the family's name, gotra, place, date, and the intention — usually for the family's prosperity and well-being.
Invoke Ganesha first with the Ganesh Vandana and offer flowers to him.
Invoke the Kalash with its mantra. Then invoke Lakshmi with the Avahana — sprinkle flowers and akshat at her feet while reciting 'Om Mahalakshmaye Namah'.
Offer Padya, Arghya, Achamana, and Snana (panchamrit then plain water) to Lakshmi.
Apply chandan, kumkum, and akshat tilak. Offer her vastra (a small piece of red or yellow cloth tied around the murti).
Chant the Shri Suktam (15 verses) while offering flowers at each verse if you have time. If short on time, chant 'Om Shrim Mahalakshmaye Namah' 108 times instead.
Offer naivedya — kheer, laddoo, batashe, fruits. Sprinkle water around the offerings.
Worship the new ledger / account book by applying tilak and akshat — the symbolic launch of the new financial year.
Perform Aarti with the Lakshmi Aarti ('Om Jai Lakshmi Mata') — the whole family sings together.
Conclude with Pushpanjali and Kshama Yachana. Distribute prasad and sweets.
Through the night the diya burns and Lakshmi is believed to walk the home. Do not extinguish it deliberately.
Mantras
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
Om Shreem Mahalakshmaye Namah
The Lakshmi beeja mantra. 'Shreem' is the seed-syllable for Lakshmi — the sound of grace and abundance. Chanted 108 times.
ॐ हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम्। चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आ वह॥
Hiranya-varnam Harinim Suvarna-rajata-srajam, Chandram Hiranmayim Lakshmim Jatavedo Ma Avaha
The opening verse of the Shri Suktam. 'Of golden hue, garlanded in gold and silver, moon-like, golden, O Agni bring Lakshmi to me.'
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता
Om Jai Lakshmi Mata
The opening line of the Lakshmi Aarti. The full aarti is sung by the whole family while a lit camphor plate is rotated before the deity.
Frequently asked questions
What time should Lakshmi Puja be done on Diwali?
The most auspicious window is Pradosh Kaal (the period after sunset, roughly 6 PM to 8:15 PM in most of India), with the precise muhurat varying by location. Use Sanatani.ai's Muhurat finder to get the exact window for your city.
Can I perform the puja without a Pandit?
Yes — Lakshmi Puja is one of the most accessible home pujas. Many families perform it themselves with a printed Shri Suktam booklet. Have Purohit Ji over chat or video to guide you the first time.
Why is Ganesh worshipped before Lakshmi?
Ganesha is invoked first in every Hindu ritual to remove obstacles. In the Lakshmi Puja layout, his murti sits to Lakshmi's right and is offered first.
Should I keep the diya burning through the night?
Traditionally yes — the central long-wick diya is believed to guide Lakshmi through the home overnight. Use a sturdy diya in a safe place where it cannot tip over.
What is the role of the new ledger book?
Diwali is the start of the new financial year in many Hindu business traditions (Vikram Samvat). Worshipping the new ledger is the symbolic launch — fresh accounts, fresh blessings.
Plan this puja with Purohit Ji
Purohit Ji helps you choose the muhurat, prepare the samagri, and walk through the
procedure — so the puja is grounded rather than rehearsed.