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Shubh Deepavali

Diwali at Home

श्री लक्ष्मी पूजा विधि

The Lakshmi–Ganesh puja for Diwali evening, step by step: mantras to read aloud, then the aartis, and diyas lit through the house.

When

Sunday, 8 November 2026

Diwali falls on Kartik Amavasya, the new-moon night. Lakshmi Puja is done in the evening, in the Pradosh Kaal that begins at sunset. The exact muhurat changes from city to city, so check a local panchang for yours and have everything ready before sunset.

The five days around it: Dhanteras (6 Nov), Choti Diwali (7 Nov), Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (8 Nov), then Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Panchangs differ on the dates for those last two, so go by your family's calendar.

Before You Begin

Samagri — What to Keep Ready

Clean the house and the puja corner during the day, draw a rangoli at the door and hang a toran of mango leaves or marigolds. Lay the samagri on a clean cloth by the altar. Don't worry if a few items are missing; what matters is the devotion.

Lakshmi and Ganesh murti or picture
Wooden chowki with a red cloth
Kalash or lota of water, mango leaves, a coconut
Unbroken rice (akshata)
Roli / kumkum, haldi and chandan
Lotus, red or pink flowers, and a garland
A red chunri and a little shringar (bindi, bangles)
Panchamrit: milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar
Khil-batashe (puffed rice and sugar drops)
Sweets and fruit for naivedya
Paan, supari, cardamom and cloves
Silver or ordinary coins (for Kuber and dakshina)
Account book, pen, jewellery (optional, for Kuber puja)
One big ghee diya for the puja
Clay diyas for the house (11, 21 or more), oil, wicks
Incense (agarbatti) and dhoop
Camphor (kapoor) for aarti
A bell, a thali and a small spoon
Matchbox

Set the murtis on the chowki. As you face the altar, Ganesh Ji usually sits on the left and Lakshmi Ma on the right, with the kalash on a little rice in front. Some families do it differently, so follow your own custom.

The Ritual, Step by Step

Lakshmi–Ganesh Puja

Sit facing east or north, with the family around you. Read the transliteration aloud slowly. The Sanskrit is there if you'd like to follow along.

Purification पवित्रीकरण

Take a little water in your right palm and sprinkle it over yourself, the altar and the samagri.

ॐ अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा । यः स्मरेत् पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः ॥

Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va, Sarvavastham Gato'pi Va, Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham, Sa Bahyabhyantarah Shuchih.

Pure or impure, in whatever state, whoever remembers the lotus-eyed Lord becomes pure inside and out.

Lighting the Lamp दीप प्रज्ज्वलन

Light the big ghee diya. It stays lit through the puja, and many families keep it going all night. Ring the bell gently to begin.

शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धनसम्पदा । शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

Shubham Karoti Kalyanam, Arogyam Dhana Sampada, Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya, Deepa Jyotir Namostu Te.

This lamp brings auspiciousness, wellbeing, health and prosperity, and clears away ill will. I bow to this light.

Sankalp संकल्प

Take a little water, akshata, a flower and a coin in your right palm, and say your intention aloud.

"Today, on Kartik Amavasya, on the night of Deepavali, I, [your name], with my family, perform this Shri Mahalakshmi Puja, for the wellbeing, prosperity and happiness of our household."

Let the water fall onto a plate as you finish, sealing the intention. Place the coin before Lakshmi Ma.

Kalash Puja कलश पूजन

Set mango leaves in the mouth of the water-filled kalash and the coconut on top. Mark it with a roli swastik and offer akshata and a flower.

कलशस्य मुखे विष्णुः कण्ठे रुद्रः समाश्रितः । मूले तत्र स्थितो ब्रह्मा मध्ये मातृगणाः स्मृताः ॥

Kalashasya Mukhe Vishnuh, Kanthe Rudrah Samashritah, Mule Tatra Sthito Brahma, Madhye Matriganah Smritah.

Vishnu dwells at the mouth of the kalash, Rudra at its neck, Brahma at its base, and the divine mothers in its middle.

Ganesh Puja गणेश पूजन

Ganesh Ji is always worshipped first. Offer him a tilak of roli, akshata, a flower and a sweet.

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ । निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥

Vakratunda Mahakaya, Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarva-Karyeshu Sarvada.

O Lord of the curved trunk and mighty form, radiant as a million suns, make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always.

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः, गन्धाक्षतपुष्पाणि नैवेद्यं च समर्पयामि ।

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha, Gandhakshata-Pushpani Naivedyam Cha Samarpayaami.

Salutations to Ganapati. I offer sandal paste, rice grains, flowers and food.

Lakshmi Dhyan & Avahan लक्ष्मी ध्यान व आवाहन

Close your eyes and picture Maa Lakshmi seated on a lotus. Then, with folded hands, invite her into the murti, as you would welcome an honoured guest into your home.

Dhyana

नमस्तेऽस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते । शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

Namaste'stu Mahamaye, Shripithe Surapujite, Shankha-Chakra-Gada-Haste, Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

Salutations to you, great Maya, seated on the throne of Shri and worshipped by the gods. You hold the conch, discus and mace. O Mahalakshmi, I bow to you.

Avahan

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, आवाहयामि स्थापयामि ।

Om Mahalakshmyai Namaha, Aavahayaami Sthaapayaami.

Salutations to Mahalakshmi. I invite you and seat you here.

Snan — The Ritual Bath स्नान

Pour a spoonful of panchamrit over a metal murti or coin, then clean water, and wipe it dry. For a picture or a clay murti, just sprinkle a few drops or make the gesture.

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, पञ्चामृतस्नानं शुद्धोदकस्नानं च समर्पयामि ।

Om Mahalakshmyai Namaha, Panchamrita-Snanam Shuddhodaka-Snanam Cha Samarpayaami.

I offer you a bath of panchamrit, and then of pure water.

Vastra, Shringar & Tilak वस्त्र, श्रृंगार व तिलक

Drape the red chunri over Lakshmi Ma and offer the shringar. With your ring finger, apply kumkum, haldi and chandan, then offer akshata.

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, वस्त्रं सौभाग्यद्रव्याणि गन्धं कुङ्कुमं अक्षतान् च समर्पयामि ।

Om Mahalakshmyai Namaha, Vastram Saubhagya-Dravyani Gandham Kumkumam Akshataan Cha Samarpayaami.

I offer you clothing, the auspicious adornments, sandal paste, kumkum and rice grains.

Pushpa — Flowers पुष्प

Offer the lotus (Lakshmi Ma's own flower) or red and pink flowers, and put the garland on the murti.

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, पुष्पाणि पुष्पमालां च समर्पयामि ।

Om Mahalakshmyai Namaha, Pushpani Pushpamalam Cha Samarpayaami.

I offer you flowers and a garland.

Dhoop & Deep धूप-दीप

Light incense and circle it gently before Ganesh Ji and Lakshmi Ma, then do the same with a small lit diya.

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, धूपं दीपं च दर्शयामि ।

Om Mahalakshmyai Namaha, Dhoopam Deepam Cha Darshayaami.

I present to you this incense and this lamp.

Naivedya नैवेद्य

Place the khil-batashe, sweets and fruit before the murtis and sprinkle a drop of water around the plate.

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, नैवेद्यं समर्पयामि ।

Om Mahalakshmyai Namaha, Naivedyam Samarpayaami.

I offer you this food.

Lakshmi Gayatri

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै च धीमहि । तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe, Vishnupatnyai Cha Dheemahi, Tanno Lakshmih Prachodayat.

We know Mahalakshmi and meditate on the consort of Vishnu. May Lakshmi inspire and guide us.

Kuber & Bahi-Khata Puja कुबेर व बही-खाता पूजन

Place the coins, jewellery and account book (or your cash box) on a plate by the altar. Draw a roli swastik in the book and write "शुभ लाभ" (Shubh Labh), then offer akshata, a flower and a tilak to all of it.

ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धनधान्याधिपतये धनधान्यसमृद्धिं मे देहि दापय स्वाहा ॥

Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya, Dhana-Dhanyadhipataye, Dhana-Dhanya-Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha.

Om, to Kubera, lord of the yakshas and son of Vishrava, master of wealth and grain: grant us abundance of wealth and grain.

Tambul, Dakshina, Pradakshina & Namaskar ताम्बूल-दक्षिणा-प्रदक्षिणा-नमस्कार

Offer the paan with supari, cardamom and cloves, and a coin as dakshina. Circle the altar clockwise (or turn on the spot) three times, then bow with folded hands.

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः, ताम्बूलं दक्षिणां प्रदक्षिणां नमस्कारान् च समर्पयामि ।

Om Mahalakshmyai Namaha, Tambulam Dakshinam Pradakshinam Namaskaraan Cha Samarpayaami.

I offer you betel leaf, dakshina, circumambulation and my bow of respect.

Before the Aarti

Chanting & Recitation

A good moment to sit back for a few minutes, let a recording play and join in softly. Everything below is in the Songs section further down.

Om Mahalakshmai Namo Namah: a simple japa. Chant it 108 times on a mala, or play the recording and repeat along.
Mahalakshmi Ashtakam: eight short verses to Lakshmi Ma, with the words in the Songs section.
Shri Lakshmi Chalisa: if you'd like to make this part longer.

The Aartis

Om Jai Lakshmi Mata

Light the camphor on the thali with a flower and a little water beside it. Circle it clockwise before Lakshmi Ma and Ganesh Ji while everyone sings. Tap Lyrics to follow the words.

Om Jai Lakshmi Mata — Lakshmi Aarti

Anuradha Paudwal · for Maa Lakshmi

Open in YouTube ↗

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता ।
तुमको निशदिन सेवत, हरि विष्णु विधाता ॥

Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata,
Tumko Nishdin Sevat, Hari Vishnu Vidhata.

उमा रमा ब्रह्माणी, तुम ही जग-माता ।
सूर्य-चन्द्रमा ध्यावत, नारद ऋषि गाता ॥

Uma Rama Brahmani, Tum Hi Jag-Mata,
Surya-Chandrama Dhyavat, Narad Rishi Gata.

दुर्गा रूप निरंजनी, सुख सम्पत्ति दाता ।
जो कोई तुमको ध्यावत, ऋद्धि-सिद्धि धन पाता ॥

Durga Roop Niranjani, Sukh Sampatti Data,
Jo Koi Tumko Dhyavat, Riddhi-Siddhi Dhan Pata.

तुम पाताल-निवासिनि, तुम ही शुभदाता ।
कर्म-प्रभाव-प्रकाशिनी, भवनिधि की त्राता ॥

Tum Patal-Nivasini, Tum Hi Shubhdata,
Karma-Prabhav-Prakashini, Bhavnidhi Ki Trata.

जिस घर में तुम रहतीं, सब सद्गुण आता ।
सब सम्भव हो जाता, मन नहीं घबराता ॥

Jis Ghar Mein Tum Rahti, Sab Sadgun Aata,
Sab Sambhav Ho Jata, Man Nahin Ghabrata.

तुम बिन यज्ञ न होते, वस्त्र न कोई पाता ।
खान-पान का वैभव, सब तुमसे आता ॥

Tum Bin Yagya Na Hote, Vastra Na Koi Pata,
Khan-Paan Ka Vaibhav, Sab Tumse Aata.

शुभ-गुण मन्दिर सुन्दर, क्षीरोदधि-जाता ।
रत्न चतुर्दश तुम बिन, कोई नहीं पाता ॥

Shubh-Gun Mandir Sundar, Kshirodadhi-Jata,
Ratna Chaturdash Tum Bin, Koi Nahin Pata.

महालक्ष्मीजी की आरती, जो कोई जन गाता ।
उर आनन्द समाता, पाप उतर जाता ॥

Mahalakshmi Ji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Jan Gata,
Ur Anand Samata, Paap Utar Jata.

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता ॥

Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata.

Jai Ganesh Deva — Ganesh Aarti

Anuradha Paudwal · for Ganesh Ji

Open in YouTube ↗

Om Jai Jagdish Hare

Anuradha Paudwal · for Shri Vishnu, Lakshmi Ma's consort

Open in YouTube ↗

ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे ।
भक्त जनों के संकट, दास जनों के संकट, क्षण में दूर करे ॥

Om Jai Jagdish Hare, Swami Jai Jagdish Hare,
Bhakt Janon Ke Sankat, Daas Janon Ke Sankat, Kshan Mein Door Kare.

जो ध्यावे फल पावे, दुख बिनसे मन का, स्वामी दुख बिनसे मन का ।
सुख सम्पति घर आवे, कष्ट मिटे तन का ॥

Jo Dhyave Phal Pave, Dukh Binse Man Ka, Swami Dukh Binse Man Ka,
Sukh Sampati Ghar Aave, Kasht Mite Tan Ka.

मात पिता तुम मेरे, शरण गहूं मैं किसकी, स्वामी शरण गहूं मैं किसकी ।
तुम बिन और न दूजा, आस करूं मैं जिसकी ॥

Maat Pita Tum Mere, Sharan Gahun Main Kiski, Swami Sharan Gahun Main Kiski,
Tum Bin Aur Na Dooja, Aas Karun Main Jiski.

तुम पूरण परमात्मा, तुम अन्तर्यामी, स्वामी तुम अन्तर्यामी ।
पारब्रह्म परमेश्वर, तुम सब के स्वामी ॥

Tum Puran Paramatma, Tum Antaryami, Swami Tum Antaryami,
Parabrahma Parameshwar, Tum Sab Ke Swami.

तुम करुणा के सागर, तुम पालनकर्ता, स्वामी तुम पालनकर्ता ।
मैं मूरख खल कामी, कृपा करो भर्ता ॥

Tum Karuna Ke Sagar, Tum Palankarta, Swami Tum Palankarta,
Main Moorakh Khal Kaami, Kripa Karo Bharta.

तुम हो एक अगोचर, सबके प्राणपति, स्वामी सबके प्राणपति ।
किस विधि मिलूं दयामय, तुमको मैं कुमति ॥

Tum Ho Ek Agochar, Sabke Pranpati, Swami Sabke Pranpati,
Kis Vidhi Milun Dayamay, Tumko Main Kumati.

दीनबन्धु दुखहर्ता, ठाकुर तुम मेरे, स्वामी रक्षक तुम मेरे ।
अपने हाथ उठाओ, अपनी शरण लगाओ, द्वार पड़ा तेरे ॥

Deenbandhu Dukhharta, Thakur Tum Mere, Swami Rakshak Tum Mere,
Apne Haath Uthao, Apni Sharan Lagao, Dwaar Pada Tere.

विषय-विकार मिटाओ, पाप हरो देवा, स्वामी पाप हरो देवा ।
श्रद्धा भक्ति बढ़ाओ, सन्तन की सेवा ॥

Vishay-Vikaar Mitao, Paap Haro Deva, Swami Paap Haro Deva,
Shraddha Bhakti Badhao, Santan Ki Seva.

ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे ॥

Om Jai Jagdish Hare, Swami Jai Jagdish Hare.

After the aarti, pass your hands over the flame and then lightly over your eyes and head, to receive the light. Take the aarti thali round so everyone in the house can do the same.

Filling the House with Light

Deep Daan — Lighting the Diyas

Light the clay diyas from the puja lamp and carry them through the house: the main door first, then every room, the kitchen, the tulsi, the water tap or well, and the balcony or roof.

दीपज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः । दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते ॥

Deepa Jyotih Parabrahma, Deepa Jyotir Janardanah, Deepo Haratu Me Papam, Deepa Jyotir Namo'stu Te.

The light of the lamp is the Supreme, the light of the lamp is Janardana (Vishnu). May this lamp take away my wrongs. I bow to this light.

Keep diyas away from curtains and rangoli powder, and on a plate or tile rather than straight on a wooden floor. Put out the ones in empty rooms before bed, but let the main puja diya burn safely through the night if you can.

For the Evening

Songs & Chants

To play during the chanting, while the diyas are lit, or through the evening.

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam

Anuradha Paudwal · from the Padma Purana

Open in YouTube ↗

नमस्तेऽस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते ।
शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१॥

Namaste'stu Mahamaye Shripithe Surapujite,
Shankha-Chakra-Gada-Haste Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

नमस्ते गरुडारूढे कोलासुरभयङ्करि ।
सर्वपापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥२॥

Namaste Garudarudhe Kolasura-Bhayankari,
Sarva-Papa-Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

सर्वज्ञे सर्ववरदे सर्वदुष्टभयङ्करि ।
सर्वदुःखहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥३॥

Sarvajne Sarva-Varade Sarva-Dushta-Bhayankari,
Sarva-Duhkha-Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

सिद्धिबुद्धिप्रदे देवि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनि ।
मन्त्रमूर्ते सदा देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥४॥

Siddhi-Buddhi-Prade Devi Bhukti-Mukti-Pradayini,
Mantra-Murte Sada Devi Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

आद्यन्तरहिते देवि आद्यशक्तिमहेश्वरि ।
योगज्ञे योगसम्भूते महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥५॥

Adyanta-Rahite Devi Adya-Shakti-Maheshvari,
Yogajne Yoga-Sambhute Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

स्थूलसूक्ष्ममहारौद्रे महाशक्तिमहोदरे ।
महापापहरे देवि महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥६॥

Sthula-Sukshma-Maharaudre Mahashakti-Mahodare,
Maha-Papa-Hare Devi Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

पद्मासनस्थिते देवि परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणि ।
परमेशि जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥७॥

Padmasana-Sthite Devi Parabrahma-Svarupini,
Parameshi Jaganmatar Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

श्वेताम्बरधरे देवि नानालङ्कारभूषिते ।
जगत्स्थिते जगन्मातर्महालक्ष्मि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥८॥

Shvetambara-Dhare Devi Nanalankara-Bhushite,
Jagat-Sthite Jaganmatar Mahalakshmi Namo'stu Te.

महालक्ष्म्यष्टकं स्तोत्रं यः पठेद्भक्तिमान्नरः ।
सर्वसिद्धिमवाप्नोति राज्यं प्राप्नोति सर्वदा ॥

Mahalakshmyashtakam Stotram Yah Pathed Bhaktiman Narah,
Sarva-Siddhim Avapnoti Rajyam Prapnoti Sarvada.

Om Mahalakshmai Namo Namah — 108 times

Anuradha Paudwal · japa to chant along

Open in YouTube ↗

Shri Lakshmi Chalisa

Anuradha Paudwal · Sampoorna Mahalakshmi Poojan

Open in YouTube ↗

These play the real recordings, streamed from YouTube each time. Nothing is stored on this page.

To Finish

Closing the Puja

Kshama Prarthana क्षमा प्रार्थना

With folded hands, ask forgiveness for anything missed in the puja, whether in knowledge, in the samagri or in devotion.

आवाहनं न जानामि न जानामि विसर्जनम् । पूजां चैव न जानामि क्षमस्व परमेश्वरि ॥

Aavahanam Na Janami, Na Janami Visarjanam, Pujam Chaiva Na Janami, Kshamasva Parameshvari.

I don't truly know how to invite you, how to bid you farewell, or how to worship you as I should. Forgive me, O Supreme Goddess.

मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं सुरेश्वरि । यत्पूजितं मया देवि परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे ॥

Mantraheenam Kriyaheenam Bhaktiheenam Sureshvari, Yat Pujitam Maya Devi Paripurnam Tadastu Me.

O Queen of the gods, whatever my worship lacked in mantra, ritual or devotion, let it still be complete in your eyes.

Prasad: share the khil-batashe, sweets and fruit with everyone once the aarti is done, and keep some aside for neighbours and anyone who visits.
No visarjan: Lakshmi Ma is welcomed in to stay. Leave the murtis, coins and account book on the altar overnight, and keep the murtis in the puja corner for the year.
The night: many families keep the main door slightly open and a light on so Lakshmi Ma finds the house welcoming, and don't sweep or throw anything out until morning.
Next morning: pick up the coins and account book with a short prayer and put them back where you keep them. The coins can stay with your savings.