How Goddess Laxmi pooja is performed on Diwali
Diwali festival is incomplete without worshipping Goddess Laxmi who is the deity of wealth and prosperity. People during the five days festival of Diwali do Laxmi pooja with great dedication on the on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima. Goddess Laxmi Matha is also called as ‘Sri’ as she is a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu.
Goddess Laxmi means Good Luck to Hindus and is the household goddess of most Hindu families who worship her with grace. Lord Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act. Laxmi Matha is worshiped in her three forms such as Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, and Mahakali. And the treasure of gods Kuber is also worshiped on this special day of Diwali. While goddess Laxmi is the acknowledged Goddess of wealth, Kubera is her heavenly treasurer. Hence the worship of Laxmi and Kubera is considered the most auspicious thing for those seeking financial prosperity.
Laxmi Matha is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion with sitting or standing posture on a full-bloomed Lotus with two elephants standing next to the goddess and spraying water. She has four hands representing the four ends of human life such as Dharma, Artha Karma and Moksha from the cycle of birth and death. Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. She is dressed up in red saree which symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. As she is the active energy of Lord Vishnu she is named as Lakshmi-Narayana. Laxmi Matha considered as the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth.
Goddess Laxmi Matha was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and took refuge in the ocean of milk when the gods were sent into exile. Deity Laxmi was reborn during the Samudra madhan (churning of the Ocean) by god and demons. It is believed that goddess Laxmi does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desire her only as wealth.
The third day on Amavasya during Diwali festival is the most important day for Laxmi pooja and is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Laxmi Matha. People clean up their houses and keep neatly to welcome Goddess Laxmi with beautiful rangoli in front of the door. On this day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale.
Goddess Laxmi pooja is performed in the evening on the day of Diwali festival. A new cloth is spread on a platform by placing a handful of grains in the center with a kalash which might be made of gold, silver, copper placed on the grains filled with three-fourth water. Then place a five Mango leaves inside the kalash neck with a flower, betel nut and a coin. Place a saucer of rice on top of the Kalash. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. A lotus with turmeric powder is drawn over the rice grains by placing the idol of goddess Laxmi over it, along with coins.
Now an earthern diya filled with ghee is placed on the plate of rice on which is on top of the Kalash that represents the Sun and the complete placement represents Maha Laxmi. And then place 8 diyas filled with ghee around the Kalash.
And the rituals are performed with Laxmi Mathat prayers on Diwali night to give honor to goddess. On the day of Diwali people renovate and redecorate their houses, shops and offices and lighten their houses with oil filled earthen diyas in front of their houses with rangoli designs to welcome goddess Laxmi.