In modern times, Lakshmi Pooja continues to be a widely celebrated festival, with people lighting electric lamps and fireworks and decorating homes with a blend of traditional and contemporary designs. While the core religious rituals remain, the celebration also embraces communal harmony, charity, and the exchange of gifts, symbolizing a prosperous and unified society.
In essence, Lakshmi Puja is not just about seeking material wealth but about celebrating light, prosperity, and the spiritual wealth that comes from leading a balanced and harmonious life.
1. Vighneśvara dhyānam – Invocation
Ring the bell and light lamp.
om śuklāmbaradharam viṣṇum śaśivarṇam caturbhujam ǀ
prasanna vadanam dhyāyet sarva vighnopa śāntaye ǁ
2. ācamanam – Purification
Take a spoonful of water into your right hand and drink each time.
om keśavāya svāhā ǀ
om nārāyaṇāya svāhā ǀ
om mādhavāya svāhā ǀ
Take a spoonful of water to wash your hands into the plate in front of you.
om govindāya namaḥ ǁ
3. digbandhaḥ – Protection from evil spirits
Move your right hand in the air around the head with your index finger pointing out.
om bhūrbhuvaḥ suvaḥ
4. prāṇāyāmaḥ – Breathing exercises
Do 3 sets of pranayama. Others will chant gayatri mantra at this time.
Om bhūr-bhuvah svah ।
tat-savitur-vareṇyam
bhargo devasya dhīmahi ।
dhiyo yo naḥ pracho-dayāt ॥
5. Pūjā sankalpaḥ – Declaration
Put a tulsi leaf in your right hand and pour some water in it. Close it with your left hand and place it on your right knee.
om mamopātta-samasta-duritakshayadvārā
śrī parameṣvara prītyartham asmin śubha-muhūrte
jñāna-vairāgya sidhyartham vidyā-vinaya-prāptyartham
śrī sadguru-prasāda-sidhyartham ca
śrī lakshmi pūjām kariṣye ǀ
Pour water and tulsi onto plate in front of you.
6. ghaṇṭānādhaḥ – Invitation to the Gods
Ring the bell and chant.
āgamārtham tu devānām gamanārtham tu rakshasām ǀ
kurve ghaṇṭā-ravam tatra devatāḥvāna-lakshaṇam ǁ
7. śrī gaṇeśa- smaraṇam – Invocation of Ganesh
Fold hands and chant. Place two bananas on betel leaf in front of Ganesha.
vakratuṇḍa mahākāya
sūryakoṭi samaprabha ǀ
nirvighnam kuru me deva
sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā ǁ
om śrī mahāgaṇapataye namaḥ ǁ
Dip flower in water and sprinkle on fruit.
naivedyam nivedayāmi ǁ
Wave the smell towards Ganeshs with the thumb touching each finger shown below.
om prāṇāya svāhā – Pinky
om apānāya svāhā – Ring finger
om vyānāya svāhā – Middle finger
om udānāya svāhā – Index finger
om samānāya svāhā – All fingers
om brahmaṇe svāhā – All fingers
8. guru-smaraṇam – Invocation of Guru
Fold hands and chant.
gurur braḥmā gurur viṣṇuḥ gurur devo maheśvaraḥ ǀ
guruḥ sākśāt para brahma tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ ǁ
om śrī gurubhyo namaḥ ǁ
Offer a flower.
9. devatā dhyānam – Invocation of Lakshmi
Fold hands and chant.
namaste’stu mahāmāye śrīpīṭhe sura-pūjite
śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-haste mahālakshmi namo’stu te
Offer a flower.
10. devatā-āvāhanam – Welcoming
Touch your heart with left hand and keep right hand touching Sarawati’s feet.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ āvāhayāmi ǁ
11. āsanam – Offering a seat
Offer a flower.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ āsanam samarpayāmi ǁ
12. pādyam – Washing feet
Pour a spoonful of water at Lakshmi’s feet.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ pādyam samarpayāmi ǁ
13. arghyam – Washing hands
Pour a spoonful of water on Lakshmi’s hands.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ arghyam samarpayāmi ǁ
14. ācamanam – Rinsing mouth
Show a spoonful of water to Sarawati and pour it on the plate in front of you.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ ācamanam samarpayāmi ǁ
15. snānīyam – Offering bath
Sprinkle water on Lakshmi.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ snānīyam samarpayāmi ǁ
16. vastram – Giving clothes
Offer a flower to Lakshmi.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ śubha-vastram samarpayāmi ǁ
17. gandhalepanam – Perfume
Take chandan with your right ring finger and put it on Lakshmi’s forehead.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ gandham samarpayāmi ǁ
18. akśatāḥ – Kumkum and Rice
Take some rice on your right ring finger and dip it in the kumkum. Apply it to Lakshmi’s forehead.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ akśatān samarpayāmi ǁ
19. puṣpam – Flower
Offer a flower garland to Lakshmi.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ puṣpāṇi samarpayāmi ǁ
20. arcana – 108 Names (aṣṭottara-nāma-pūjā)
Offer a flower petal each time a name is chanted.
| 1 | ॐ प्रकृत्यै नमः। | Om Prakrityai Namah। |
| 2 | ॐ विकृत्यै नमः। | Om Vikrityai Namah। |
| 3 | ॐ विद्यायै नमः। | Om Vidyayai Namah। |
| 4 | ॐ सर्वभूतहितप्रदायै नमः। | Om Sarvabhutahitapradayai Namah। |
| 5 | ॐ श्रद्धायै नमः। | Om Shraddhayai Namah। |
| 6 | ॐ विभूत्यै नमः। | Om Vibhutyai Namah। |
| 7 | ॐ सुरभ्यै नमः। | Om Surabhyai Namah। |
| 8 | ॐ परमात्मिकायै नमः। | Om Paramatmikayai Namah। |
| 9 | ॐ वाचे नमः। | Om Vache Namah। |
| 10 | ॐ पद्मालयायै नमः। | Om Padmalayayai Namah। |
| 11 | ॐ पद्मायै नमः। | Om Padmayai Namah। |
| 12 | ॐ शुचये नमः। | Om Shuchaye Namah। |
| 13 | ॐ स्वाहायै नमः। | Om Swahayai Namah। |
| 14 | ॐ स्वधायै नमः। | Om Swadhayai Namah। |
| 15 | ॐ सुधायै नमः। | Om Sudhayai Namah। |
| 16 | ॐ धन्यायै नमः। | Om Dhanyayai Namah। |
| 17 | ॐ हिरण्मय्यै नमः। | Om Hiranmayyai Namah। |
| 18 | ॐ लक्ष्म्यै नमः। | Om Lakshmyai Namah। |
| 19 | ॐ नित्यपुष्टायै नमः। | Om NityaPushtayai Namah। |
| 20 | ॐ विभावर्यै नमः। | Om Vibhavaryai Namah। |
| 21 | ॐ अदित्यै नमः। | Om Adityai Namah। |
| 22 | ॐ दित्ये नमः। | Om Dityai Namah। |
| 23 | ॐ दीपायै नमः। | Om Dipayai Namah। |
| 24 | ॐ वसुधायै नमः। | Om Vasudhayai Namah। |
| 25 | ॐ वसुधारिण्यै नमः। | Om Vasudharinyai Namah। |
| 26 | ॐ कमलायै नमः। | Om Kamalayai Namah। |
| 27 | ॐ कान्तायै नमः। | Om Kantayai Namah। |
| 28 | ॐ कामाक्ष्यै नमः। | Om Kamakshyai Namah। |
| 29 | ॐ क्ष्रीरोधसंभवाम् नमः। ॐ क्रोधसंभवायै नमः। | Om Kshirodhasambhavam Namah। Om Krodhasambhavayai Namah। |
| 30 | ॐ अनुग्रहप्रदायै नमः। | Om Anugrahapradayai Namah। |
| 31 | ॐ बुद्धये नमः। | Om Buddhaye Namah। |
| 32 | ॐ अनघायै नमः। | Om Anaghayai Namah। |
| 33 | ॐ हरिवल्लभायै नमः। | Om Harivallabhyai Namah। |
| 34 | ॐ अशोकायै नमः। | Om Ashokayai Namah। |
| 35 | ॐ अमृतायै नमः। | Om Amritayai Namah। |
| 36 | ॐ दीप्तायै नमः। | Om Diptayai Namah। |
| 37 | ॐ लोकशोकविनाशिन्यै नमः। | Om Lokashokavinashinyai Namah। |
| 38 | ॐ धर्मनिलयायै नमः। | Om Dharmanilayayai Namah। |
| 39 | ॐ करुणायै नमः। | Om Karunayai Namah। |
| 40 | ॐ लोकमात्रे नमः। | Om Lokamatre Namah। |
| 41 | ॐ पद्मप्रियायै नमः। | Om Padmapriyayai Namah। |
| 42 | ॐ पद्महस्तायै नमः। | Om Padmahastayai Namah। |
| 43 | ॐ पद्माक्ष्यै नमः। | Om Padmakshyai Namah। |
| 44 | ॐ पद्मसुन्दर्यै नमः। | Om Padmasundaryai Namah। |
| 45 | ॐ पद्मोद्भवायै नमः। | Om Padmodbhavayai Namah। |
| 46 | ॐ पद्ममुख्यै नमः। | Om Padmamukhyai Namah। |
| 47 | ॐ पद्मनाभप्रियायै नमः। | Om Padmanabhapriyayai Namah। |
| 48 | ॐ रमायै नमः। | Om Ramayai Namah। |
| 49 | ॐ पद्ममालाधरायै नमः। | Om Padmamaladharayai Namah। |
| 50 | ॐ देव्यै नमः। | Om Devyai Namah। |
| 51 | ॐ पद्मिन्यै नमः। | Om Padminyai Namah। |
| 52 | ॐ पद्मगन्धिन्यै नमः। | Om Padmagandhinyai Namah। |
| 53 | ॐ पुण्यगन्धायै नमः। | Om Punyagandhayai Namah। |
| 54 | ॐ सुप्रसन्नायै नमः। | Om Suprasannayai Namah। |
| 55 | ॐ प्रसादाभिमुख्यै नमः। | Om Prasadabhimukhyai Namah। |
| 56 | ॐ प्रभायै नमः। | Om Prabhayai Namah। |
| 57 | ॐ चन्द्रवदनायै नमः। | Om Chandravadanayai Namah। |
| 58 | ॐ चन्द्रायै नमः। | Om Chandrayai Namah। |
| 59 | ॐ चन्द्रसहोदर्यै नमः। | Om Chandrasahodaryai Namah। |
| 60 | ॐ चतुर्भुजायै नमः। | Om Chaturbhujayai Namah। |
| 61 | ॐ चन्द्ररूपायै नमः। | Om Chandrarupayai Namah। |
| 62 | ॐ इन्दिरायै नमः। | Om Indirayai Namah। |
| 63 | ॐ इन्दुशीतलायै नमः। | Om Indushitalayai Namah। |
| 64 | ॐ आह्लादजनन्यै नमः। | Om Ahladajananyai Namah। |
| 65 | ॐ पुष्टयै नमः। | Om Pushtayai Namah। |
| 66 | ॐ शिवायै नमः। | Om Shivayai Namah। |
| 67 | ॐ शिवकर्यै नमः। | Om Shivakaryai Namah। |
| 68 | ॐ सत्यै नमः। | Om Satyai Namah। |
| 69 | ॐ विमलायै नमः। | Om Vimalayai Namah। |
| 70 | ॐ विश्वजनन्यै नमः। | Om Vishwajananyai Namah। |
| 71 | ॐ तुष्टयै नमः। | Om Tushtayai Namah। |
| 72 | ॐ दारिद्र्यनाशिन्यै नमः। | Om Daridryanashinyai Namah। |
| 73 | ॐ प्रीतिपुष्करिण्यै नमः। | Om Pritipushkarinyai Namah। |
| 74 | ॐ शान्तायै नमः। | Om Shantayai Namah। |
| 75 | ॐ शुक्लमाल्यांबरायै नमः। | Om Shuklamalyambarayai Namah। |
| 76 | ॐ श्रियै नमः। | Om Shriyai Namah। |
| 77 | ॐ भास्कर्यै नमः। | Om Bhaskaryai Namah। |
| 78 | ॐ बिल्वनिलयायै नमः। | Om Bilvanilayayai Namah। |
| 79 | ॐ वरारोहायै नमः। | Om Vararohayai Namah। |
| 80 | ॐ यशस्विन्यै नमः। | Om Yashaswinyai Namah। |
| 81 | ॐ वसुन्धरायै नमः। | Om Vasundharayai Namah। |
| 82 | ॐ उदारांगायै नमः। | Om Udarangayai Namah। |
| 83 | ॐ हरिण्यै नमः। | Om Harinyai Namah। |
| 84 | ॐ हेममालिन्यै नमः। | Om Hemamalinyai Namah। |
| 85 | ॐ धनधान्यकर्ये नमः। | Om Dhanadhanyakaryai Namah। |
| 86 | ॐ सिद्धये नमः। | Om Siddhaye Namah। |
| 87 | ॐ स्त्रैणसौम्यायै नमः। | Om Strainasoumyayai Namah। |
| 88 | ॐ शुभप्रदाये नमः। | Om Shubhapradayai Namah। |
| 89 | ॐ नृपवेश्मगतानन्दायै नमः। | Om Nripaveshmagatanandayai Namah। |
| 90 | ॐ वरलक्ष्म्यै नमः। | Om Varalakshmyai Namah। |
| 91 | ॐ वसुप्रदायै नमः। | Om Vasupradayai Namah। |
| 92 | ॐ शुभायै नमः। | Om Shubhayai Namah। |
| 93 | ॐ हिरण्यप्राकारायै नमः। | Om Hiranyaprakarayai Namah। |
| 94 | ॐ समुद्रतनयायै नमः। | Om Samudratanayayai Namah। |
| 95 | ॐ जयायै नमः। | Om Jayayai Namah। |
| 96 | ॐ मंगळा देव्यै नमः। | Om Mangala Devyai Namah। |
| 97 | ॐ विष्णुवक्षस्स्थलस्थितायै नमः। | Om Vishnuvakshassthalasthitayai Namah। |
| 98 | ॐ विष्णुपत्न्यै नमः। | Om Vishnupatnyai Namah। |
| 99 | ॐ प्रसन्नाक्ष्यै नमः। | Om Prasannakshyai Namah। |
| 100 | ॐ नारायणसमाश्रितायै नमः। | Om Narayanasamashritayai Namah। |
| 101 | ॐ दारिद्र्यध्वंसिन्यै नमः। | Om Daridryadhwamsinyai Namah। |
| 102 | ॐ देव्यै नमः। | Om Devyai Namah। |
| 103 | ॐ सर्वोपद्रव वारिण्यै नमः। | Om Sarvopadrava Varinyai Namah। |
| 104 | ॐ नवदुर्गायै नमः। | Om Navadurgayai Namah। |
| 105 | ॐ महाकाल्यै नमः। | Om Mahakalyai Namah। |
| 106 | ॐ ब्रह्माविष्णुशिवात्मिकायै नमः। | Om Brahmavishnushivatmikayai Namah। |
| 107 | ॐ त्रिकालज्ञानसंपन्नायै नमः। | Om Trikalajnanasampannayai Namah। |
| 108 | ॐ भुवनेश्वर्यै नमः। | Om Bhuvaneshwaryai Namah। |
21. dhūpaḥ – Incense
Light the agarbati and lift up to Lakshmi. Ring the bell.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ dhūpam āghrāpayāmi ǁ
22. dīpaḥ – Lamp
Light up oil lamp and raise it to the level of Lakshmi’s eyes. Ring the bell.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ dīpam darśayāmi ǁ
23. naivedyam – Prasad
Dip a flower into the water and sprinkle on Prasad. Put on plate in front of you.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ naivedyam nivedayāmi ǁ
Wave the smell towards Lakshmi with the thumb touching each finger shown below.
om prāṇāya svāhā – Pinky
om apānāya svāhā – Ring finger
om vyānāya svāhā – Middle finger
om udānāya svāhā – Index finger
om samānāya svāhā – All fingers
om brahmaṇe svāhā – All fingers
24. mangala-nīrājanam – Aarti
Light camphor and rotate around Lakshmi. Ring the bell.
na tatra sūryo bhāti na candra tārakam
nemā vidyuto bhānti kuto S ayamagniḥ ǀ
tameva bhāntam anubhāti sarvam
tasya bhāsā sarvamidam vibhāti ǁ
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ mangala-nīrājanam samarpayāmi ǁ
25. puṣpānjaliḥ – Conclusion
Offer flower.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ puṣpānjalim samarpayāmi ǁ
26. pradakśiṇa-namaskāraḥ – Circumambulation
Stand up and turn around clockwise 3 times.
om śrī lakshmyai namaḥ ǀ
pradakśiṇa-namaskāran samarpayāmi ǁ
27. prārthanā – Forgiveness
Fold hands and chant.
kāyena vācā manasendriyairvā
buddhyātmanā vā prakṛte svabhāvāt ǀ
karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai
nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayāmi ǁ
28. śānti mantraḥ – Closing prayer
Fold hands and chant.
om pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidam pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate ǀ
pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate ǁ
om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
hariḥ om śrī gurubhyo namaḥ hariḥ om