Fifteen Lakshmi rituals, from the lamplit worship of Diwali night to the South Indian vrat of Varalakshmi, drawn from Avyani's Master Puja & Ritual Catalogue.
Lakshmi (लक्ष्मी), Goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, is worshipped both in her own dedicated rituals and, frequently, together with Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, and Ganesha. Avyani's Master Puja & Ritual Catalogue records fifteen Lakshmi rituals, distinct from — though occasionally overlapping with — the broader Devi Rituals category.
Diwali and Dhanteras
Diwali Lakshmi Puja, performed at dusk with rows of lamps and account books opened for blessing, is the central worship of Diwali and among the most widely observed rituals in the entire Hindu calendar. It is preceded by Dhanteras Puja, marking the start of the festival and traditionally associated with purchasing gold or new utensils, and the year later finds its counterpart in Kojagiri Lakshmi Puja, observed on the full moon night after Navratri.
Wealth and Prosperity Worship
Mahalakshmi Puja and Dhan Lakshmi Puja address Lakshmi's fuller and wealth-specific forms respectively. Kubera Puja, and the combined Lakshmi Kubera Puja and Lakshmi Kubera Homam, pair the Goddess with Kubera for both earning and preserving wealth — a pairing often sought by businesses, reflected also in the dedicated Financial Prosperity Puja.
Popular Devotional Vrats
Vaibhava Lakshmi Puja, a vrat popularly observed by women on Fridays, and Varalakshmi Vratam, a South Indian vrat worshipping a boon-giving form of the Goddess, are among the most widely kept Lakshmi observances. Kanakadhara Puja, centred on the Kanakadhara Stotram composed by Adi Shankaracharya, is a devotional practice specifically associated with the removal of financial hardship.
Eight Forms and Sacred Geometry
Ashtalakshmi Puja honours the eight forms of Lakshmi — representing wealth, courage, grain, progeny and other blessings. Shri Yantra Puja, the ritual worship and consecration of the Shri Yantra (श्री यंत्र), the sacred geometric diagram associated with the Goddess, is a more advanced Tantric-Shakta practice.
Auspicious Days
Akshaya Tritiya Puja, observed on a day considered eternally auspicious, is a widely kept occasion for new ventures and the purchase of gold, worshipping Lakshmi alongside Vishnu and Kubera.
Lakshmi Rituals at a Glance
| Ritual | Occasion / Purpose | Typical Duration | Priest Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahalakshmi Puja | Wealth, abundance, prosperity | 1-1.5 hours | Yes |
| Diwali Lakshmi Puja | Wealth, prosperity, new financial year | 1-1.5 hours | Yes |
| Dhan Lakshmi Puja | Financial wealth & stability | 30-45 mins | No |
| Kubera Puja | Wealth accumulation, financial security | 30-45 mins | No |
| Lakshmi Kubera Puja | Wealth generation & preservation | 1 hour | Yes |
| Lakshmi Kubera Homam | Wealth generation, business prosperity | 2 hours | Yes |
| Kanakadhara Puja | Sudden wealth, financial relief | 30-45 mins | No |
| Vaibhava Lakshmi Puja | Wealth, family welfare, prosperity | 45-60 mins | No |
| Shri Yantra Puja | Wealth, prosperity, spiritual growth | 1-1.5 hours | Yes |
| Dhanteras Puja | Health, wealth, new purchases | 30-45 mins | No |
| Akshaya Tritiya Puja | Imperishable prosperity, new beginnings | 30-45 mins | No |
| Financial Prosperity Puja | Business growth, financial stability | 1 hour | Yes |
| Ashtalakshmi Puja | Comprehensive prosperity across life domains | 1 hour | Yes |
| Varalakshmi Vratam | Marital welfare, family prosperity | 2-3 hours | No |
| Kojagiri Lakshmi Puja | Wealth, wellbeing | 1 hour | No |
See also our Devi Rituals guide for the Divine Mother's other forms, and our Samagri Catalogue for the lamps, kumkum and other materials used in Lakshmi worship.