Deepawali 2026 Puja Vidhi: Complete Shastriya Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja Method with Mantras

Deepawali 2026 Puja Vidhi: Quick Answer

Before the Puja: Setting Up the Chowki

1. 1Clean the puja place in the north-east or north of the house.
2. 2Place a wooden chowki and spread a red cloth (some families use yellow under Ganesha).
3. 3Install Ganesha on the left and Lakshmi on the right (as seen by the worshipper) — follow your family custom if different. Many also place Saraswati and Kuber.
4. 4Place a kalash filled with water, a coin, supari, akshat and mango leaves, topped with a coconut, on a heap of rice to the right of Lakshmi.
5. 5Make nine small heaps of akshat for the Navagraha and sixteen heaps of wheat or rice for the Shodash Matrika (optional).
6. 6Keep the account books, pen, inkpot, cash box and jewellery to the side.
7. 7Arrange a large ghee lamp, eleven or more small lamps, and all samagri. See the Diwali samagri list 2026.

Step-by-Step Shastriya Puja

1. Pavitrikaran and Achaman Sprinkle water on yourself: *"Om apavitrah pavitro va sarvavastham gato'pi va, yah smaret pundarikaksham sa bahyabhyantarah shuchih."* Take three sips of water with *"Om Keshavaya Namah, Om Narayanaya Namah, Om Madhavaya Namah"* and wash your hands with *"Om Hrishikeshaya Namah."*

2. Sankalp Holding water, akshat, flowers and a coin, state the date (Kartik Krishna Amavasya, Vikram Samvat 2083), your name and gotra, and your resolve to worship Mahalakshmi for prosperity and well-being.

3. Ganesh Puja *"Vakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha, nirvighnam kuru me deva sarvakaryeshu sarvada."* Offer roli, akshat, durva, flowers, modak or laddoo.

4. Kalash Puja Invoke Varuna and the holy rivers: *"Om Varunaya Namah."* Offer roli, akshat and flowers to the kalash.

5. Navagraha Remembrance *"Om Brahma Murari Tripurantakari Bhanu Shashi Bhumisuto Budhashcha, Gurushcha Shukra Shani Rahu Ketavah sarve grahah shantikara bhavantu."*

6. Shodashopachar Lakshmi Puja | Step | Offering | Mantra (short) | |---|---|---| | 1 Avahan | Invite the Goddess | Om Mahalakshmyai Namah, avahayami | | 2 Asan | Seat (flowers/akshat) | asanam samarpayami | | 3 Padya | Water for feet | padyam samarpayami | | 4 Arghya | Water with flowers, akshat | arghyam samarpayami | | 5 Achaman | Water to sip | achamaniyam samarpayami | | 6 Snan | Water, then panchamrit, then pure water | snanam samarpayami | | 7 Vastra | Red chunri/cloth | vastram samarpayami | | 8 Abhushan | Jewellery, shringar | abhushanani samarpayami | | 9 Gandh | Chandan, roli, kumkum | gandham samarpayami | | 10 Pushp | Lotus, rose, garland | pushpani samarpayami | | 11 Dhoop | Incense | dhoopam aghrapayami | | 12 Deep | Ghee lamp | deepam darshayami | | 13 Naivedya | Kheel-batashe, sweets, fruits | naivedyam nivedayami | | 14 Tambool | Paan, supari, clove, cardamom | tamboolam samarpayami | | 15 Dakshina | Coins/notes | dakshinam samarpayami | | 16 Aarti and Pushpanjali | Aarti, flowers in both palms | pushpanjalim samarpayami |

7. Saraswati and Bahi-Khata Puja Draw a swastika and write *"Shubh-Labh"* or *"Shri"* on the first page of the new account book. Worship the pen and inkpot with *"Om Saraswatyai Namah."*

8. Kuber and Tijori Puja Worship the safe or cash box with roli, akshat and flowers, and chant *"Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha."*

9. Deepmalika Puja Worship the lamps placed in a plate, then light them from the main lamp. Place them across the house — at the main door, in the kitchen, near water, at the tulsi and on the terrace.

10. Aarti and Kshama Prarthana Sing *"Om Jai Lakshmi Mata"*, offer pushpanjali, and close with *"Aavahanam na janami… kshamasva Parameshwari."*

After the Puja

• •Keep a lamp burning near the Goddess through the night.
• •Distribute prasad of kheel-batashe and sweets.
• •Many families keep the main door slightly open after the puja as a welcome to Lakshmi.

Summary