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[WHAT IS] Lakshmi Puja [HOW-TO]

Lakshmi puja is a Hindu ritual performed on Diwali Amavasya, is the third day of Dipavali (Diwali), the Hindu festival of lights. According to tradition people would put small oil lamps outside their houses on Diwali and pray to Goddess Lakshmi to bless their family and businesses.

Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by those who wish to acquire or to preserve wealth. It is believed that the goddess ( of wealth) visits only those houses which are clean and where the people are honest and hard-working.

In the Sri Vaishnava philosophy however, Sri (Lakshmi) is honoured as the "Iswarigm sarva bhootanam," i.e., the Supreme goddess and not just the goddess of wealth. This is an important distinction between Sri Vaishnavism and other materialistic philosophies.

The day of Lakshmi-Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. The strains of joyous sounds of bells and drums float from the temples as man is invoking Goddess Lakshmi in a wondrous holy "pouring-in" of his heart. All of a sudden that impenetrable darkness is pierced by innumerable rays of light for just a moment and the next moment a blaze of light descends down to earth from heaven as golden-footed Deep-Lakshmi alights on earth in all her celestial glory amidst chantings of Vedic hymns.


Pooja Vidhi - Steps of Lakshmi Puja

Begin Puja by laying down a piece of new cloth on a raised platform. Spread out a handful of grains in the center of the cloth and place a kalasha made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourths of the kalasha with water and place inside it a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains. Arrange five kinds of leaves from different trees, or if a variety is not available then leaves from a Mango tree, in the kalasha. Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of Goddess Lakshmi on top of the kalasha, spreading coins around it.

Place the idol of Lord Ganesha in front of the kalasha, on the right hand side pointing to the South-West direction. Also place ink and account books related to your business on the platform. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke [Saraswati | the river goddess Saraswati] to be part of this water.

Invoke the Goddess Lakshmi by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. One can also recite the mantras mentioned in the Puranas or simply take some flowers in your hands, close your eyes, and think of the Goddess Lakshmi as being showered with gold coins by two elephants standing on either side of Her and chant Her name. Then offer the flowers to the idol.
Place the idol of Goddess Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, [Panchamrita | panchamrit] (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalasha. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.


Offerings

Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume ( ittar ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the Goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the Goddess. Offer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bael (wood apple tree). Light an incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul. Make an offering of puffed rice and batasha (varieties of Indian sweets). Pour some puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol. Draw religious markings on the safe in which you keep your valuables and worship this safe as a symbol of Lord Kubera.


Aarti

Finally, perform the aarti for Goddess Lakshmi. Always remember that She abhors loud noise. So the aarti should be accompanied only by a small bell. Do not clap hands, as is the practice when performing aarti for other gods. A peaceful and sublime atmosphere should prevail during the Diwali day pujan. Do not light crackers while the puja is on or immediately after it.


Via: Facebook, Indian Life Ethics & Karmas's


[NOTE: The article "[WHAT IS] Lakshmi Puja [HOW-TO]" first appeared on the GSB Coimbatore Blog.

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