On the evening of Deepavali, homes glow with rows of lamps to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. The pooja itself is simple when you prepare in advance. This guide walks you through each step in the order it is traditionally done.
1. Prepare the pooja space
Clean the pooja room in the afternoon and draw a kolam at the entrance. Place a wooden peeta facing east, cover it with a fresh red or yellow cloth, and keep the idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha on it, with Ganesha on Lakshmi's left.
Keep a kalasham filled with water, with mango leaves and a coconut on top, to the right of the idols. The kalasham represents abundance and is worshipped along with the goddess.
Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseeda Praseeda
This is the Mahalakshmi mool mantra, traditionally chanted 108 times during the pooja.
2. Gather the pooja items
Keep everything within reach before you begin, so the pooja flows without interruption:
- Kumkum, haldi and akshata (rice mixed with turmeric)
- Five or more diyas, with ghee or sesame oil and cotton wicks
- Incense sticks, camphor and a bell
- Flowers, betel leaves, fruits and sweets for naivedyam
3. The order of worship
- Ganesha pooja: always begin by praying to Ganesha to remove obstacles.
- Kalasha pooja: offer kumkum, haldi and flowers to the kalasham.
- Lakshmi avahanam: invite the goddess with the mool mantra.
- Shodashopachara: the sixteen offerings, from water to aarti.
- Aarti and deepa daanam: light the lamps around the house.
Ring the bell during aarti and move the lamp in a clockwise circle in front of the goddess. Keep at least one diya burning through the night.
4. After the pooja
Share the prasadam with family and neighbours. Many families also worship their account books on this day, which marks a new beginning for traders.
