Laxmi Puja is one of the most significant festivals in Hindu tradition, celebrated with devotion, joy and grandeur across India. Dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity and good fortune, the festival falls on the third day of Diwali and holds a special place in every household. This year, Laxmi Puja will be celebrated on 20th October.

The history of Laxmi Puja is rooted in the belief that Goddess Laxmi visits homes during Diwali to bless her devotees with prosperity, happiness and abundance. According to tradition, the goddess emerged during the great churning of the ocean, known as Samudra Manthan, bringing wealth, beauty and well-being into the world. Since then, people worship her with utmost reverence, seeking her blessings for a prosperous and harmonious life.

The celebration of Laxmi Puja is filled with rituals and heartfelt devotion. Preparations begin with thorough cleaning and decorating of homes, as cleanliness is believed to invite the goddess. Houses are adorned with rangoli designs at the entrance, lit with oil lamps and candles and decorated with flowers to create a welcoming atmosphere. The glow of countless diyas not only illuminates the surroundings but also symbolizes the removal of darkness and negativity.

On the evening of the Puja, families gather to perform the rituals. The idols or pictures of Goddess Laxmi, along with Lord Ganesha, are placed on a beautifully decorated altar. Offerings of sweets, fruits, flowers and coins are made and prayers are chanted with devotion. The sound of bells, conch shells and mantras fills the air, creating an atmosphere of divine peace and positivity. After the Puja, families share festive sweets and light fireworks, marking the joy of the occasion.

The festival is celebrated in different ways across India. In West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, Laxmi Puja is also observed earlier during Kojagari Purnima, while in most parts of the country it is associated with Diwali. In Maharashtra, Gujarat and North India, it is considered the most important day of the Diwali festivities. Businesses often start their new account books, known as Chopda Pujan, on this day, seeking blessings for growth and success.

The importance of Laxmi Puja lies not only in the worship of wealth but also in the reminder that prosperity is meaningful only when it brings harmony, generosity and happiness to one’s life. The festival encourages people to welcome light, positivity and goodness into their homes and hearts, just as they welcome the goddess with glowing lamps and prayers.

Thus, Laxmi Puja is not only a day of rituals but also a celebration of hope, prosperity and togetherness. As diyas shine brightly in every corner and families gather in joy, the festival continues to remind us that true wealth lies in faith, love and unity.

By: Aditi Sharma (Assistant Manager – Billing)