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FriNov 1

Lakshmi Puja – November 1, 2024

Lakshmi Puja is performed on the 15th day of the Kartik month as per the Hindu calendar. This year, it falls on November 1. Lakshmi — the Goddess of wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, and good fortune — is the preached deity of the observation. Lord Ganesha, Lord Kubera, and Goddess Saraswati are also honored in the Puja. Lakshmi Puja signifies a new chapter and a clean slate for the devotees of the Goddess. On the eve of Lakshmi Puja, the goddess is believed to roam the earth. Devotees light up their homes with earthen lamps and leave their doors and windows open to invite her in.

History of Lakshmi Puja

Lakshmi Puja is an annual ritual, performed on the third and most important day of Deepawali. The ‘Puja’— meaning ‘worship’— falls on the 15th day of the Kartik month. It is a part of the year’s most auspicious Hindu festival. Hindus perform the rite in their homes, requesting that the deity visit their household.

Earthen lamps are lit in different places around the house to attract the Goddess. Upon the conclusion of the main ritual, sweets are distributed throughout the home and the young take blessings from their elders. According to Hindu mythology, the Puja is performed to extinguish the bad energy in the home. Fireworks are also often lighted at the entrances of homes to ward off evil spirits.

It is believed that Lakshmi Puja erases all the sins of the past, so people can start on a fresh page and a repented soul. Millions of devotees mark the date of the festival to initiate new things and move forward in life. The purchase of new electronics, or a hefty investment is common during the day of the Puja. People clean and decorate their homes to entice the Goddess. Delicacies are prepared at home, and devotees offer sweet treats and fineries to the Goddess. The inspiration behind the cleaning and preparation is to welcome Goddess Lakshmi into the home. Scriptures say that it is important to please the Goddess, for she holds the power to our wealth and prosperity.

Lakshmi Puja timeline

6th Century
The First Mention

Goddess Lakshmi’s grandiosity is featured in the “Puranas” — the Hindu chronicles of gods and kings.

10th Century
Subheading

Lakshmi and Vishnu shrines are discovered in separate temples built in the 7th century.

15th Century
The Hindu Calendar

The Hindu calendar system gains popularity among all Hindus, and religious observances continue to be observed according to it.

2020
Biggest Lakshmi Puja

Bengal Lakshmi Puja or Kojagari Puja is performed in West Bengal, India, with more than a hundred thousand devotees in attendance.

Lakshmi Puja FAQs

Is Lakshmi Puja a public holiday?

Lakshmi Puja is not a public holiday in India. Regardless, it is observed across the country with great enthusiasm and is a de-facto holiday for most people.

Why is the date for Lakshmi Puja different?

The tentative dates for Lakhsmi Puja are set as per the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar, which uses solar sidereal years and lunar months to determine the turn of time.

What do I need to perform Lakshmi Puja at home?

In the idol of Goddess Lakhsmi, coconut, rice, Kalash, and betel leaves are the main ingredients of the puja.

How to Observe Lakshmi Puja

  1. Prepare sweets at home

    There are a ton of easy-to-make Indian sweets recipes on the Internet. A gallon of whole milk, half a cup of boiled rice, sugar, and some almonds, and you’ve got yourself a bowl of kheer. On Lakhsmi Puja, recreate the ambiance of a traditional Indian household in your kitchen.

  2. Clean your house

    We’re talking deep cleaning, okay! Carpet off, chandelier down, entertainment center turned off, fridge defrost kind of cleaning. Go bananas with your Kleenex and rubber gloves and wipe down every nook and corner.

  3. Light a lamp

    An earthen lamp, ‘Diya,’ is more than a decoration. It symbolizes purity, goodness, and the exit of darkness from a space. Since Lakshmi Puja falls on the new moon — ‘Amavasya’ —the pitch-black darkness of the sky is substituted by the lamp. This Lakshmi Puja extinguishes the darkness of your life by lighting up a lamp.

5 Gripping Facts About Goddess Lakshmi

  1. The Goddess of wealth

    Goddess Lakshmi is described as the true source of prosperity and fortune in Hinduism.

  2. The golden skin

    Goddess Lakshmi’s skin is always painted gold to present her position as a ‘boon giver’ to her devotees.

  3. The red symbolism

    Goddess Lakshmi is always dressed in red color, which depicts her blood-like constant movements and fluidity.

  4. The currency claim

    Currency or fortune in Hinduism is referred to as ‘Lakshmi.’

  5. The October glory

    Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped throughout the year — with special puja sessions in October.

Why Lakshmi Puja is Important

  1. It marks a new beginning

    Deepawali and Lakshmi Puja are Hindu festivals that serve as a reset button. As the family members come around and chant to the Goddess's honor, new ledgers and accountancy books are put at the idol's feet for blessings. It's a transcendent experience that propels people forward into the next phase of their life.

  2. It’s a hope for a better tomorrow

    Lakshmi Puja brings new optimism and promise to the Hindu community. As devotees gather around to worship the goddess, there’s a prayer to absolve the sins of the past and to fill the future with wealth and fortune.

  3. It brings everyone together

    Lakshmi Puja is a part of the five-day Deepawali celebration, which brings everyone together. Long-distance distance relatives travel home to celebrate the festival with their kin, and sweets/gifts are exchanged with the neighbors and communities. It is the biggest Hindu festival of the year.

Lakshmi Puja dates

Year Date Day
2022 October 24 Monday
2023 November 12 Sunday
2024 November 1 Friday
2025 October 20 Monday
2026 November 8 Sunday
November
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