# Diwali Lakshmi Puja at Home: Simple Step-by-Step Vidhi with Mantras and Aarti > A simple step-by-step Lakshmi Puja for Diwali night, 8 November 2026: samagri list, puja steps, mantras for Ganesha and Lakshmi, and the Lakshmi aarti. - **Published:** 2026-10-09 - **Author:** Mahakatha - **Category:** festivals - **Canonical URL:** https://mahakatha.com/blog/diwali-lakshmi-puja-at-home/ On Diwali night, the whole home gets ready for a guest. The floors are swept, the doorway is bright with rangoli, and lamps are placed on every ledge. The guest is Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance and grace, and the evening puja is how families welcome her in. If you've watched this puja in your parents' home but never led it yourself, or you're doing it on your own this year, this guide is for you. We'll go slowly: when to do it, what to keep ready, each step, and the mantras and aarti to say. Each link opens the full lyrics, meaning and our recording, so you can listen first and chant along. Diwali is celebrated in many ways across India, and every family has its own small customs. Please treat this as a simple outline, and follow your family's way wherever it differs. ## When is Lakshmi Puja in 2026? In 2026, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja fall on **Sunday, 8 November**. The puja is done in the evening, after sunset, on the new-moon night (Amavasya) of the month of Kartik. For New Delhi, Drik Panchang gives the Lakshmi Puja muhurat as about 5:54 pm to 7:50 pm. The time is different in every city, so please check a panchang for your own city. - [Diwali 2026 and Lakshmi Puja time (Drik Panchang)](https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-festivals/diwali/diwali.html?year=2026) Diwali is five days long. It begins with Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November. If you'd like to prepare for that evening too, see our [Dhanteras puja guide](https://mahakatha.com/blog/dhanteras-puja-at-home/). For a mantra for each of the five days, see our [simple guide to the five days of Diwali](https://mahakatha.com/blog/best-mantra-for-diwali/). ## Why we pray to Lakshmi and Ganesha together Lakshmi rose from the churning of the cosmic ocean and chose Vishnu as her consort. She is the goddess of wealth, but in the tradition her gifts are wider than money: health, harmony, good character and a home where people feel cared for. The tradition calls her chanchala, restless, and says she stays where there is cleanliness, kindness and honest effort. Ganesha is honoured first in almost every Hindu puja, as the remover of obstacles. On Diwali, Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped side by side. Many families also honour Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, and some honour Saraswati, the goddess of learning, along with them. ## Diwali puja samagri list ### For the altar - A low wooden table (chowki) and a red or yellow cloth to cover it. - A picture or murtis of Lakshmi and Ganesha. Many families buy new ones each Diwali. - A kalash (small pot) with water, a few mango leaves and a coconut on top. Some families place it on a small heap of rice. - A picture of Kubera, if your family includes him. ### For the puja - A puja thali with roli or kumkum, turmeric, rice (akshat), a little sandalwood paste, and a red thread (kalava). - Flowers, especially lotus or red flowers if you can find them, and a garland for Lakshmi. - Incense, camphor and matches. - A small bowl of water and a spoon for offering. - A few coins, or any gold or silver you'd like to place before Lakshmi. - Your account books, cash box or a new notebook, if your family does the account-book puja. ### Offerings (naivedya) - Kheel (puffed rice) and batashe (sugar drops), a much-loved Diwali offering in north India. - Sweets, dry fruits and fruit. - Paan and supari (betel leaf and nut), cloves and cardamom, if your family uses them. ### Lamps - Clay diyas, ghee or oil, and cotton wicks. Many families keep one larger lamp burning at the altar. - Extra diyas for the doorway, the windows, the kitchen, the tulsi plant and the corners of the home. Every family's list is a little different. If yours is different, follow yours. ## Before the puja: getting the home ready Most of the work for Lakshmi Puja happens before the puja itself. In the days before Diwali, families clean every corner of the home, mend what's broken and clear out what isn't needed. The tradition says Lakshmi enters a home that is clean and bright. On Diwali day: - Sweep and wash the doorway, and draw a rangoli. Many families draw small footprints walking into the home, as if Lakshmi is stepping inside. - Hang a toran of marigolds or mango leaves over the main door. - Bathe in the evening before the puja, and wear new or clean festive clothes. - Keep a little quiet time just before you begin. Even five slow breaths can help the evening feel less rushed. ## Simple Lakshmi Puja vidhi at home, step by step This is a simple home version. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Families who follow a longer, formal puja, or who invite a priest, may do much more, and that is lovely too. 1. **Set up the altar.** Place the chowki in the north-east of the room, or wherever your family usually prays. Cover it with the cloth. Place Ganesha on one side and Lakshmi on the other. Many families keep Ganesha to Lakshmi's left. Set the kalash nearby. 1. **Light the lamp and purify.** Light the main diya. Sprinkle a few drops of water on yourself, the altar and the samagri as a simple act of purification. 1. **Make your sankalp.** Hold a little water, rice and a flower in your right hand. In your own words, say who you are, that you are doing Lakshmi Puja on Diwali, and what you are praying for: harmony in the home, health, gratitude for the year. Then let the water fall into a plate. 1. **Pray to Ganesha first.** Offer roli, rice, flowers and a sweet to Ganesha, and say a Ganesha mantra (below). 1. **Invite Lakshmi.** With folded hands, quietly invite Lakshmi to be present in your home. Offer her a flower. 1. **Offer to Lakshmi.** One by one, offer water, roli, turmeric, rice, flowers and the garland. Then offer kheel and batashe, sweets and fruit. Place the coins and any gold or silver before her. As you offer, you can chant the Lakshmi Pooja Mantra (below), one line with each offering. 1. **Pray to Kubera and bless your work.** If your family does so, offer roli, rice and flowers to Kubera, and to your account books, cash box or new notebook. Some families write "Shubh Labh" or draw a swastika in roli on the first page. 1. **Chant.** Sit quietly and chant a Lakshmi mantra or hymn for a few minutes (see below). There's no need to rush. 1. **Aarti.** Light camphor or the aarti lamp and sing the Lakshmi aarti, waving the lamp gently in circles before the deities. Ring a bell if you have one. 1. **Light the home.** Take the lamps from the altar and place diyas at the doorway, windows, kitchen and every corner of the home. Many families keep one lamp burning through the night. 1. **Share the prasad.** Share kheel, batashe and sweets with everyone in the home. ## Mantras for Lakshmi Puja You don't need to say all of these. Choose one or two, and say them clearly and slowly. The words below match our mantra pages, where you'll also find the meaning and our recording. For more Diwali mantras, see our [Diwali guide](https://mahakatha.com/blog/best-mantra-for-diwali/), and you can browse all our [Ganesha mantras](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/) and [Lakshmi mantras](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/). ### For Ganesha (begin here) Vakratunda Mahakaya, Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्व कार्येषु सर्वदा॥ In simple words: "O Lord with the curved trunk and mighty body, as bright as a million suns, please remove the obstacles from everything I do, always." [Vakratunda Mahakaya: meaning and audio](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/vakratunda-mahakaya/) ### While you offer to Lakshmi These four short lines are easy to say, one with each offering: Om Mahalakshmyai Namo Namah, Om Vishnupriyayai Namo Namah, Om Dhanapradayai Namo Namah, Om Vishvajananyai Namo Namah ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमो नमः। ॐ विष्णुप्रियायै नमो नमः। ॐ धनप्रदायै नमो नमः। ॐ विश्वजननायै नमो नमः। In simple words: "Salutations to Mahalakshmi, to the beloved of Vishnu, to the giver of wealth, to the mother of the universe." [Lakshmi Pooja Mantra: meaning and audio](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-pooja-mantra/) ### A short mantra to chant after the offerings Om Shrim Hrim Shrim, Kamale Kamalalaye Prasida Prasida, Om Shrim Hrim Shrim, Mahalakshmayai Namah ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः In simple words: "O lotus-born one, who lives in the lotus, be gracious to us. Salutations to Mahalakshmi." [Kamale Kamalalaye Mantra: meaning and audio](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/kamale-kamalalaye-mantra/) ### A hymn for the quiet time after puja The [Ashtalakshmi Stotram](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/ashtalakshmi-stotram/) praises the eight forms of Lakshmi: wealth, grain, courage, family, victory, learning and more. It's long and beautiful to listen to while the lamps burn. ### For Kubera If you pray to Kubera along with Lakshmi, you'll find his mantras on our [Kubera mantras](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/kubera/) page. ## The Lakshmi aarti Most families in north India sing "Om Jai Lakshmi Mata" at the end of the puja. It opens: Om jai Lakshmi Mata, maiya jai Lakshmi Mata, Tumko nisdin sevat, Har Vishnu Vidhata. In simple words: "Glory to you, Mother Lakshmi. Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma serve you day and night." You'll find all the verses on our [Shri Lakshmi Aarti](https://mahakatha.com/aarti/shri-lakshmi-aarti/) page. If you're new to it, read it through once before the evening so the words feel familiar when you sing. ## How Lakshmi Puja differs across India - In Gujarat and among many trading families, the account-book puja (Chopda Pujan) is a central part of the evening, marking the start of the new financial year. - In Maharashtra, many families also honour a new broom as a form of Lakshmi, since it sweeps out what is no longer needed. - In Bengal, Odisha and Assam, this night is often celebrated as Kali Puja. Lakshmi is usually worshipped on Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, the full-moon night after Durga Puja. - In much of South India, the main Deepavali celebration is on the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi, with an early oil bath and new clothes. ## Questions people often ask ### Can I do Lakshmi Puja without a pandit? Yes. Many families do a simple Lakshmi Puja at home themselves, as described above. What matters most is a clean space, a sincere heart and attention to what you're doing. ### Which mantra should I chant on Diwali? Begin with Ganesha, then choose one Lakshmi mantra you can say clearly. The Lakshmi Pooja Mantra above is easy to follow during the offerings. For a fuller list by day, see our [Diwali guide](https://mahakatha.com/blog/best-mantra-for-diwali/). ### Where should I place Lakshmi and Ganesha? Many families face the altar east or north and keep Ganesha to Lakshmi's left. Customs vary, so follow what your family does. ### Should I keep a lamp burning all night? Many families keep one diya burning at the altar through the night. If you do, place it on a steady metal plate, away from curtains and anything that can catch fire, and keep it out of reach of children and pets. ### Can I do the puja if I live alone or away from home? Of course. Light one lamp, set out a picture of Lakshmi and Ganesha, offer a flower and a sweet, chant one mantra and sing the aarti. It is a complete Lakshmi Puja. ## A last thought Lakshmi Puja is an evening of welcome. You clean the home, light the lamps and open the door, and the tradition says Lakshmi walks in where she feels at home. Whatever your puja looks like this year, grand or very simple, you might pause once the lamps are lit and look around at the light. Then let a gentle chant carry the evening. ## Related mantras - [Vakratunda Mahakaya Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/vakratunda-mahakaya/) - [Lakshmi Pooja Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-pooja-mantra/) - [Kamale Kamalalaye Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/kamale-kamalalaye-mantra/) - [Ashtalakshmi Stotram](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/ashtalakshmi-stotram/) - [Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/lakshmi-gayatri-mantra/) - [Mahalakshmi Stotram](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/lakshmi/mahalakshmi-stotram/) - [Kubera Diwali Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/kubera/kubera-diwali-mantra/) - [Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah Mantra](https://mahakatha.com/mantras/ganesha/om-shree-ganeshaya/) --- Source: https://mahakatha.com/blog/diwali-lakshmi-puja-at-home/ — Mahakatha, https://mahakatha.com