Hindu devotees perform Puja on the auspicious occasion of Diwali and offer their soulful prayers to Goddess Laxmi.
The Diwali Puja performed with utmost devotion, and spiritualism helps to enhance individual’s well-being regarding wealth, prosperity, family and professional growth. By performing the Puja in traditional manner, families can attain positivity and blessings from the Almighty. On the occasion of Diwali, families prefer to perform some of the specific pujas including Laxmi and Kuber Pujas. Offering soulful prayers to the deities help the families to gain wealth and fortune and lead a prosperous life.
Some of the other important rituals that are usually performed during Laxmi Puja are:
• The Goddess of wealth Laxmi is traditionally welcomed by drawing rangoli at the entrance of the housed. Tiny footprints of the goddess are inscribed at different corners of the house to mark her arrival.
• The Laxmi Puja is performed after sunset, and the time is set after consulting the experienced Brahmin Pandit. The Puja usually comprises of singing bhajans, offering sweets, decorating the house with lights and diyas.
• Some of the common Puja items required to perform Laxmi Puja on the occasion of Diwali are sweets (mithai), gold and silver coins, flowers, dry fruits, incense sticks, icons of deities, uncooked rice, betel leaves and vermilion (kumkum).
• The tiny diya made from clay is kept in front of the deities. The lighting of diya symbolizes the elimination of the evil spirits present in the adjacent areas.
• A panchamitra is made using ingredients like honey, sugar, milk, curd and clarified butter (ghee). Some sweets like laddoos and dry fruits are offered to the deity as Prasad.
• Before worshipping goddess Laxmi, the Ganesh Aarti is sung firstly to offer prayer to Lord Ganesha. As per Hindu tradition, Lord Ganesha is always worshiped first before any other god and goddesses.
• For Laxmi Puja, the flowers, Prasad and incense sticks are placed at feet of the goddess Laxmi. A silver or gold coin is also kept in the Puja thali, and the Laxmi Aarti is performed by singing the traditional prayers or mantras.
• After the Diwali Puja concludes, the Prasad is distributed amongst all the guests attending the eventful occasion.