Goddess Laxmi Puja Procedure
Diwali festival means worshipping Goddess Laxmi, who is the deity of wealth and prosperity. Special rituals are performed on this Diwali festival to Laxmi mata to take her blessings. There are several customs associated with the Diwali festival and among them the illumination with diyas and the ceremonies associated with Lakshmi Puja are the most significant. The Laxmi puja must be performed in right procedure as follows:
Laxmi Puja Procedure:
On a raised platform, spread a new cloth, then place idols of Goddess Laxmi and lord Ganesha. Since every auspicious of Hindu occasions Lord Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning, and on this Diwali festival Goddess Laxmi puja also starts with Ganapathi puja.
Now in the centre of the puja platform, place onehand of rice grains and place a kalash on the grains filled with three-fourth of water and place five mango leaves in the kalash.
Place a small bowl on the kalash with rice grains in it. Then draw a lotus with turmeric powder over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi and lord Ganesha.
Place a betel nut leaf, a flower, a coin, a fruit on the leaf in front of the kalash on the puja platform.
You can also place pens, books related to your business or occupation on the puja platform.
Then lighting a lamp (Deepak) and the Agarbatti (incense sticks) begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Spray this kalash water on all puja utensils for purifying.
Make a Panchamitra by adding ingredients of milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. And start with Ganesh Puja by Ganesh Mantras and Ganesh aarti. Offer flower and a garland to the god, then offer sweets, coconut and fruits to lord Ganesha
after finishing Ganesh puja, place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit again with water containing some gold ornament or a precious thing. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Now raise goddess Laxmi by Laxmi mantras. Then offer the flowers to the idol.
Offer sandal paste, haldi, kumkum and garland to the goddess. Offer flowers, sweets, coconut and fruits. Offer sweets and other Prashad made especially for the occasion of Goddess Laxmi Puja. After performing puja distribute Prashad to all.
Light the lamps and candles all around the house. No corner of the house should be left in darkness. Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the Goddess.