Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu the Operator, is the provider of all needs – physical, metaphysical, material and spiritual.
Diwali is not just a one day festival in the Hindu religion but a whole series of rituals, poojas, and celebration that lasts few days. And Lakshmi pooja is one of the integral parts of this festival season.
Goddess Lakshmi is believed to be the epitome of wealth and prosperity. So on the third day of the Diwali festival, people perform Lakshmi pooja to invite goddess Lakshmi to bless them with wealth, growth, and stability.
Along with the goddess Lakshmi, this pooja involves other deities such as Ganesha the Vighnaharta, Saraswati- the preeminent deity of knowledge and skills, and Lord Kubera, the treasurer of all gods to be worshipped for abundance and happiness.
As per the Vedic beliefs, goddess Lakshmi will visit the cleanest house first. And therefore, devotees clean their houses thoroughly to welcome goddess Lakshmi and decorate their house with flowers, lights, diyas, and rangoli.
The alter of pooja needs to be prepared with red cloth, Kalash, grains, and kumkum. To successfully perform this pooja, devotees gather in the temple or the most spiritual place of the house with other family members and carry several rituals, mantras, aarti, and Prashad.
Lakshmi pooja is a beautiful spiritual practice of the Diwali festival to worship goddess Lakshmi and other deities to welcome wealth, success, and prosperity for the upcoming future.