Lakshmi Puja Offerings: What to Present to Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali 2024

Lakshmi Puja Offerings

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, holds deep significance in Hindu culture, with Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, at its heart. Lakshmi Puja on Diwali night is a sacred ritual to welcome abundance, peace, and happiness into one's life. The ritual involves meticulous offerings and prayers to invite Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings. From new Pratima (idol) worship to offerings of flowers, fruits, and incense, each step is designed to honor and invoke the goddess’s divine presence.

In this guide, discover the essential offerings to present to Goddess Lakshmi during Lakshmi Puja on Diwali 2024, and embrace the true spirit of this auspicious festival.

1. Dhyana (Meditation): Begin with meditating on Goddess Lakshmi, envisioning her divine form seated on a lotus. Recite the Dhyana Mantra to invite her presence with a humble prayer.
2. Aavahan (Invocation): Invite the goddess to accept the Puja by joining your palms in Aavahan Mudra and reciting the Aavahan mantra.
3. Pushpanjali Asana (Offering of Flowers): Present five flowers as a respectful gesture, symbolising a seat for the goddess, while chanting the Asana mantra.
4. Swagat (Welcome): With folded hands, warmly welcome Goddess Lakshmi with the Swagat Mantra to show reverence.
5. Padya (Water for Feet): Offer water for washing her feet as a mark of respect, representing purity, and recite the Padya mantra.
6. Arghya (Water for Abhishekam): Present sacred water to sprinkle over her head, symbolising purification and respect, while chanting the Arghya mantra.
7. Snana (Bathing): Offer water for bathing with a mantra that seeks blessings of peace and prosperity.
8. Panchamrita Snana (Milk Bath): Perform a Panchamrita bath with milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar, representing purification.
9. Gandha Snana (Scented Bath): Offer scented water with sandalwood essence, symbolising divine aroma and purity.
10. Shuddha Snana (Pure Water Bath): Follow the scented bath with pure water to signify cleanliness.
11. Vastra (Offering of Clothes): Present Moli (sacred thread) as new clothes with reverent intentions.
12. Madhuparka (Honey and Milk): Offer a mixture of honey and milk for good health and sweetness in life.
13. Abhushana (Jewellery): Adorn the goddess with symbolic jewellery, representing her grandeur and beauty.
14. Raktachandana (Red Sandalwood): Apply red sandalwood paste for auspiciousness and blessings.
15. Sindoor (Vermilion): Offer vermilion for a Tilak, symbolising marital bliss and divine grace.
16. Kumkuma (Saffron): Apply kumkuma as a mark of everlasting fortune and prosperity.
17. Abira-Gulala (Coloured Powder): Offer auspicious powders for good fortune and divine pleasure.
18. Sugandhita Dravya (Fragrant Oils): Present fragrant oils as a sign of devotion and respect.
19. Akshata (Unbroken Rice): Offer rice grains, a symbol of prosperity, accompanied by a mantra.
20. Gandha-Samarpan (Sandalwood Paste): Conclude the Puja by applying sandalwood paste to the deity, representing the purity and devotion of the devotee.