Diwali — the festival of lights — is the most celebrated Hindu festival, but many families feel uncertain about performing the Lakshmi puja correctly at home. This guide covers everything from the samagri list to the exact puja steps.
Quick Answer
Diwali Lakshmi puja involves 5 steps: (1) Clean and decorate the altar with flowers and rangoli, (2) Light diyas during Pradosh Kaal (1.5 hours after sunset), (3) Place Lakshmi-Ganesha idols with coins and rice, (4) Offer flowers, sweets, and fruits, (5) Recite Lakshmi Stuti or Chalisa and perform aarti. The puja takes 30-45 minutes and can be performed by any family member.
Diwali Muhurat 2026
Diwali 2026: October 20, 2026
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: Evening — check your local pandit or a Panchang app for exact timing in your city
Best time: Pradosh Kaal (just after sunset) on Amavasya
Complete Samagri List
Diwali Puja — Step by Step
Clean and decorate the home
On the day of Diwali, clean the entire house. Fill every corner — Lakshmi is said to only enter clean homes. Place rangoli at the main entrance and doorstep. Hang mango leaf toran.
Set up the puja sthal
Place the Lakshmi-Ganesha idol on a red cloth on the chowki. Arrange all samagri neatly. Fill a small kalash with water, place mango leaves and a coconut on it.
Light the diyas
Just before the puja, light all diyas around the home — entrance, windows, balcony, kitchen. The home should be glowing with light when Lakshmi arrives.
Sankalp and ganesh puja
Begin with Ganesh puja. Offer flowers, akshat, and roli to Ganesha. This ensures no obstacles during the puja.
Kalash puja
Perform puja of the water kalash. Offer flowers and akshat. This represents the presence of all rivers and goddesses.
Lakshmi puja
This is the main puja. Offer flowers, akshat, roli, haldi, durva grass to Maa Lakshmi. Offer sweets, coins, and fruits. Chant Lakshmi mantras or Shri Sukta (16 verses).
Ganesha puja (again)
Offer separately to Ganesha — he and Lakshmi are always worshipped together on Diwali.
Aarti
Perform Lakshmi aarti with camphor. All family members stand and sing together. Then perform Ganesha aarti.
Prasad distribution
Distribute sweets and fruits to all family members. Offer coins at Lakshmi's feet symbolizing welcoming prosperity.
Lakshmi Mantras
Lakshmi Beej Mantra:
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः॥
Simple Lakshmi prayer:
Om Mahalakshmyai Namah
How to Involve Children
- Let children light the diyas (supervised)
- Have them draw the rangoli
- Give children the task of placing flowers on the idol
- Let them ring the ghanta during aarti
- Explain each step in simple language as you do it
- Create a Diwali ritual book with their handprints each year