Dipawali symbolizes the profound triumph of light over darkness and obscurity, greatness over wickedness, and learning over obliviousness. It is believed that on this day, Lord Rama came back from the 14-year oust period along with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshman in the wake of killing the demon king of Lanka, Ravana. On his homecoming, Lord Ram’s subjects lit up the entire route with twinkling diyas. Thus the lighting of diyas has become symbolic and a key part of the Diwali celebrations. Homes are lit up on this day of new moon. People clean and decorate their homes with lanterns and clay pots. Before bursting firecrackers, a customary puja of Lord Ram, Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi is also performed by the elders of the family.

A day before Diwali, we celebrate Choti Diwali and a day after is the Govardhan Puja. Diwali falls in the Ashvin month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Literally and metaphorically, Diwali stands for lighting the lamp of knowledge to drive away the darkness in our hearts. This major Hindu festival is celebrated with great enthusiam and fervour by devotees across the world every year. Here is all you need to know about the festival of lights:

This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 27, 2019 (Sunday). Lakshmi Puja will also be performed by devotees on this day. According to Drik Panchang, the important times are:

Lakshmi Puja Muhurat - 06:57 PM to 08:24 PM

Duration - 01 Hour 27 Mins

Pradosh Kaal - 05:52 PM to 08:24 PM

Vrishabha Kaal - 06:57 PM to 08:55 PM

Amavasya Tithi Begins - 12:23 PM on Oct 27, 2019

Amavasya Tithi Ends - 09:08 AM on Oct 28, 2019

Happy Diwali 2019: Puja Vidhi and Mantras

Happy Diwali 2019: Laxmi Pooja Shubh Muhurat

On the day of Diwali, people get up early, clean their house, bathe, wear new clothes and decorate their home with marigold flowers and Ashoka leaves. They then pay tribute to their ancestors and pray to Gods. Some people also perform Shradh for their deceased ancestors on this day as it is an Amavasya. As per the traditions, devotees of Goddess Laxmi also observe a day-long fast which is broken after performing Laxmi Puja in the evening.

Gujarati businessmen also perform Chopda Puja along with the Diwali Puja, to seek Goddess Laxmi's blessings for great business in the coming financial year. During this Puja, new account books are inaugurated and worshipped in presence of Goddess Lakshmi.

For Laxmi Puja during Diwali, devotees worship an idol of Goddess Laxmi. The proper Puja Vidhi includes 16 steps called Shodashopachara Puja. Read on to know more about Laxmi Puja Vidhi and mantras to chant during it, according to Drik Panchang:

1. Dhyana

Begin the puja with meditation while chanting the following mantra:

Ya Sa Padmasanastha Vipul-Kati-Tati Padma-Patrayatakshi,

Gambhirartav-Nabhih Stana-Bhara-Namita Shubhra-Vasttariya।

Ya Lakshmirdivya-Roopairmani-Gana-Khachitaih Svapita Hema-Kumbhaih,

Sa Nityam Padma-Hasta Mam Vasatu Grihe Sarva-Maangalya-Yukta॥

1. Aavahan

Then join both hands and fold the thumbs inwards (Aavahan Mudra) and chant the following mantra:

Aagachchha Dev-Deveshi! Tejomayi Maha-Lakshmi!

Kriyamanam Maya Pujaam, Grihaan Sur-Vandite!

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devi Aavahayami ॥

1. Pushpanjali Asana

After invoking Laxmi ji in the idol, offer five flowers to Goddess Laxmi while chanting:

Nana-Ratna-Samayuktam, Karta-Swar-Vibhushitam।

Aasanam Dev-Devesh! Preetyartham Prati-Grihyataam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Aasanarthe Panch-Pushpani Samarpayami ॥

1. The welcome Laxmi ji by chanting: Shri Lakshmi-Devi! Swagatam।
2. Then wash her feet with water while chanting:

Padyam Grihaan Deveshi, Sarva-Kshema-Samarthe, Bhoh!

Bhaktya Samarpitam Devi, Maha-Lakshmi! Namoastu Te॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Padyam Namah ॥

1. The offer water for head Abhishekam of Laxmi ji and chant:

Namaste Dev-Deveshi! Namaste Kamal-Dharini!

Namaste Shri Maha-Lakshmi, Dhanada-Devi! Arghyam Grihaan।

Gandha-Pushpakshatairyuktam, Phal-Dravya-Samanvitam॥

Grihaan Toyamarghyarthan, Parameshwari Vatsale!

॥Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Arghyam Swaha॥

1. Then offer water to Goddess Laxmi for a bath while chanting:

Gangasaraswatirevapayoshninarmadajalaih।

Snapitasi Maya Devi Tatha Shantim Kurushva Me॥

Adityavarne Tapasoadhijato Vanaspatistava Vrikshoatha Bilvah।

Tasya Phalani Tapasa Nudantu Mayantarayashcha Bahya Alakshmih।

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Jalasnanam Samarpayami ॥

1. Now offer Panchamrita bath to the Goddess and chant:

Dadhi Madhu Ghratashchaiva Payashcha Sharkarayutam।

Panchamritam Samanitam Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥

Om Panchanadyah Saraswatimapiyanti Sasrotasah।

Saraswati Tu Panchadhasodeshebhavat Sarit॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Panchamritasnanam Samarpayami ॥

1. Then offer scented bath to Laxmi ji while chanting:

Om Malayachalasambhutam Chandanagarusambhavam।

Chandanam Devadeveshi Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Gandhasnanam Samarpayami ॥

1. Now offer pure water for a bath to Laxmi ji while chanting:

Mandakinyastu Yadvari Sarvapapaharam Shubham।

Tadidam Kalpitam Tubhyam Snanartham Pratigrihyatam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Shuddhodakasnanam Samarpayami ॥

1. Offer mouli and new clothes to the Goddess while chanting:

Divyambaram Nutanam Hi Kshaumam Tvatimanoharam।

Diyamanam Maya Devi Grihana Jagadambike॥

Upaitu Mam Devasakhah Kirtishch Manina Saha।

Pradurbhuto Surashtreasmin Kirtimriddhi Dadatu Me॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Vastram Samarpayami ॥

1. Then while chanting the following mantra, offer honey and milk to Laxmi Maa:

Om Kapilam Dadhi Kundendudhavalam Madhusamyutam।

Swarnapatrasthitam Devi Madhuparkam Grihana Bhoh॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Madhuparkam Samarpayami ॥

1. Offer new jewelery to Laxmi ji and chant:

Ratnakankada Vaiduryamuktaharayutani Cha।

Suprasannena Manasa Dattani Swikurushwa Me॥

Kshuptipapasamalam Jyeshthamalakshmim Nashayamyaham।

Abhutimasamriddhim Cha Sarvannirnuda Me Grahat॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Abhushanani Samarpayami ॥

1. Offer red sandalwood and chant:

Om Raktachandanasammishram Parijatasamudbhavam

Maya Dattam Grihanashu Chandanam Gandhasamyutam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Raktachandanam Samarpayami ॥

1. Then offer sindoor to Maa Laxmi and chant:

Om Sinduram Raktavarnashcha Sinduratilakapriye।

Bhaktya Dattam Maya Devi Sinduram Pratigrihyatam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Sinduram Samarpayami ॥

1. Now offer kumkum and chant:

Om Kumkumam Kamadam Divyam Kumkumam Kamarupinam।

Akhandakamasaubhagyam Kumkumam Pratigrihyatam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Kumkumam Samarpayami ॥

1. Then offer Abira-Gulal and chant:

Abirashcha Gulalam Cha Chova-Chandanameva Cha।

Shringarartham Maya Dattam Grihana Parameshwari॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Abiragulalam Samarpayami ॥

Happy Diwali 2019: Laxmi Pooja Mantra and Puja Vidhi

1. Now offer scent to the Goddess and chant:

Om Tailani Cha Sugandhini Dravyani Vividhani Cha।

Maya Dattani Lepartham Grihana Parameshwari॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Sugandhita Tailam Samarpayami ॥

1. Offer unbroken rice (Akshata) to the Goddess and chant:

Akshatashcha Surashreshtha Kumkumaktah Sushobhitah।

Maya Nivedita Bhaktya Pujartham Pratigrihyatam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Akshatan Samarpayami ॥

20. Offer chandan to Laxmi ji while chanting:

Shri-Khanda-Chandanam Divyam, Gandhaadayam Sumanoharam।

Vilepanam Maha-Lakshmi! Chandanam Prati-Grihyataam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Chandanam Samarpayami ॥

21. Chant the following while offering flowers to Maa Laxmi:

Yatha-Prapta-Ritu-Pushpaih, Vilva-Tulasi-Dalaishcha!

Pujayaami Maha-Lakshmi! Prasida Me Sureshwari!

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Pushpam Samarpayami ॥

22. Then while chanting the following mantra, wordhip the Gods who are body parts of Goddess Laxmi:

Om Chapalaayai Namah Padau Pujayami।

Om Chanchalayai Namah Janunee Pujayami।

Om Kamalayai Namah Katim Pujayami।

Om Katyaayanyai Namah Naabhim Pujayami।

Om Jaganmatrai Namah Jatharam Pujayami।

Om Vishwa-Vallabhaayai Namah Vaksha-Sthalam Pujayami।

Om Kamala-Vaasinyai Namah Hastou Pujayami।

Om Kamala-Patrakshyai Namah Netra-Trayam Pujayami।

Om Shriyai Namah Shirah Pujayami।

23. Worship Ashta-Siddhi near Maa Laxmi by chanting:

Om Animne Namah। Om Mahimne Namah।

Om Garimne Namah। Om Laghimne Namah।

Om Praptyai Namah। Om Prakaamyai Namah।

Om Ishitaayai Namah। Om Vashitaayai Namah।

24. Perform Ashta-Lakshmi Puja by chanting the following mantra:

Om Aadhya-Lakshmyai Namah। Om Vidhya-Lakshmyai Namah।

Om Saubhagya-Lakshmyai Namah। Om Amrit-Lakshmyai Namah।

Om Kamalakshyai Namah। Om Satya-Lakshmyai Namah।

Om Bhoga-Lakshmyai Namah। Om Yoga-Lakshmyai Namah।

25. Now offer dhup to Goddess Laxmi:

Vanaspati-Rasodbhuto Gandhaadhyah Sumanoharah।

Aaghreyah Sarva-Devanaam, Dhupoayam Prati-Grihyataam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Dhoopam Samarpayami ॥

26. Then offer deep (diya) to the Goddess while chanting:

Sajyam Varti-Sanyuktam Cha, Vahnina Yojitam Mayaa,

Deepam Grihaan Deveshi! Trailokya-Timirapaham।

Bhaktya Deepam Prayachchhaami, Shri Lakshmyai Paratparaayai।

Trahi Maam Niryaad Ghoraad, Deepoayam Prati-Grihyataam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Deepam Samarpayami ॥

27. Offer Naivedhya by saying:

Sharkara-Khanda-Khadyaani, Dadhi-Ksheera-Ghritaani Cha।

Aaharo Bhakshya-Bhojyam Cha, Naivedhyam Prati-Grihyataam।

॥ Yathamshatah Shri Lakshmyai-Devyai Naivedhyam Samarpayami –

Om Pranaya Swaha। Om Apanaya Swaha।

Om Samanaya Swaha। Om Udanaya Swaha।

Om Vyanaya Swaha॥

28. Offer water to Laxmi ji for Achamana and chant:

Tatah Paniyam Samarpayami Iti Uttaraposhanam।

Hasta-Prakshalanam Samarpayami। Mukh-Prakshalanam।

Karodvartanarthe Chandanam Samarpayami।

29. Now offering paan with betel nuts to the Goddess, chant:

Poogi-Phalam Maha-Divyam, Naga-Valli-Dalairyutam।

Karpurailaa-Samayuktam, Tamboolam Prati-Grihyataam॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Mukh-Vasartham Poogi-Phalam-Yuktam Tamboolam Samarpayami ॥

30. Offer gift to Goddess Laxmi and chant:

Hiranya-Garbha-Garbhastham, Hema-Veejam Vibhaavasoh।

Ananta-Punya-Phaladamatah Shantim Prayachchha Me॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Suvarna-Pushpa-Dakshinaam Samarpayami ॥

31. Now offer pradakshina by chanting:

Yani Yani Cha Papani, Janmantar-Kritani Cha।

Tani Tani Vinashyanti, Pradakshinam Pade Pade॥

Anyatha Sharanam Naasti, Tvameva Sharanam Devi!

Tasmaat kaarunya-Bhaven, Kshamasva Parameshwari॥

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Pradakshinam Samarpayami ॥

32. Perform Vandana and offer flowers to Laxmi ji by chanting:

Kar-Kritam Vaa Kayajam Karmajam Vaa,

Shravan-Nayanajam Vaa Manasam Vaaparadham।

Viditamaviditam Vaa, Sarvametat Kshamasva,

Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe, Shri Maha-Lakshmi Trahi।

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Mantra-Pushpanjali Samarpayami ॥

33. Offering Sashtanga Pranam to Laxmi ji, chant the following:

Om Bhavani! Tvam Maha-Lakshmih Sarva-Kaam-Pradayini।

Prasannaa Santushtha Bhava Devi! Namoastu Te।

॥ Anena Pujanena Shri Lakshmi-Devi Preeyataam, Namo Namah ॥

34. Finish the Puja by seeking pardon from Laxmi ji for any mistakes while performing the Puja. Also, chant:

Avahanam Na janami, Na Janami Visarjanam॥

Puja-Karma Na Janami, Kshamasva Parameshwari॥

Mantra-Heenam Kriya-Heenam, Bhakti Heenam Sureshwari!

Maya Yat-Poojitam Devi! Paripoornam Tadastu Me॥

Anena Yatha-Militopachaara-Dravyai Krita-Poojanena Shri Lakshmi-Devi Preeyataam

॥ Shri Lakshmi-Devyai Arpanamastu ॥