The Method of Worship of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

The reproduced below is an interesting piece of article regarding Sri Mahalakshmi Puja.  Enjoy reading….

The first and foremost step to perform any puja requires cleanliness; likewise Sri Mahalakshmi Puja also necessitates cleanliness. According to Puranas, Goddess Lakshmi akin to neatness and visits the houses those are kept clean.  The following are the few steps to perform Sri Mahalakshmi Puja; it is believed that whoever worships Sri Mahalakshmi with utmost faith devotion would be blessed with peace and prosperity throughout their life.

·        Clean the entire house and the place where Laksmi puja is performed. Rangoli designs can be drawn to welcome Goddess Lakshmi Devi.

·        A new cloth is to be placed on a raised platform.

·        In the middle of the freshly spreaded cloth, keep a heap of grains and place a Kalash (Pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper or terracotta over it.

·        The three-fourth of Kalash should be filled with water.

·        Place Betel nut, Flowers, Silver/Gold Coins, Haldi, Kumkum and some yellow rice (Akshadha) as offerings to Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi.

·        Keep five kinds of leaves or preferably mango leaves on the mouth of the kalash.

·        Place a small bowl filled with grains on top of the kalash.

·        Draw a design of lotus with turmeric powder over the rice grains.

·        Perform sacred bath to the idol of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi before placing it on the bowl contained grains.  The sacred bath for the idol can be made with Water, Panchamrit (a mixture of Milk, Curd, Ghee or Clarified Butter, Honey and sugar) and finally with the water contained of gold or pearl. Sacred bath to the idol can be made by sprinkling Water and Panchamrit with a flower is an alternate option.

·        Clean the idol and place it on the top of the Kalash with Silver Coins.

·        Place the idol of Lord Ganesha on the right side of the Kalash, (South-West direction).

·        Place the books and materials related to your business or occupation on the platform.

·        Light a Ghee lamp and perform puja by offering turmeric, vermillion and flowers to Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi.

·        Also offer turmeric, vermillion and flowers to the water used for puja to invoke Jaladevatha (deities in the water).

·        Recite the 108 or 1008 Vedic Mantras of Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi.

·        Offerings of sandal, saffron, turmeric, vermillion, abeer, gulal, garland of cotton beads also can be made to Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi.  In addition to this, offerings such as flowers, especially Marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree), Bhog, coconut, fruits, puffed rice and batasha are also made.

·        To conclude the puja Maha Aarti is performed.  The Aarti should be accompanied by a small noise of bell, Goddess hates loud noises.

Courtesy: Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil, Malaysia.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!