Revered as a sacred Hindu ritual, Mahalaxmi Puja is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, prosperity, and fortune. This auspicious occasion is celebrated with great devotion and fervour across India, specifically in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal. The festival usually falls in the Hindu month of Ashwin during the bright fortnight, and is celebrated during the festival of Diwali.
The Significance of Mahalaxmi Puja
Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu, is the deity of wealth, beauty, and prosperity. Devotees seek her divine blessings to get good fortune, happiness, and financial stability. The Mahalaxmi Puja is a prayer to the Goddess performed by pandits along with devotees to bless homes and businesses with her divine presence, ensuring growth and success.
The festival has its roots in Hindu mythology and is believed to be celebrated on the day when Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the Samudra Manthan with a pot of nectar. Thus, performing Mahalaxmi Puja is considered highly auspicious, which signifies one’s quest for prosperity and well-being.
Preparations and Rituals
Like other auspicious puja, preparations for Mahalaxmi Puja begin well in advance. Homes and workplaces are thoroughly cleaned and decorated to welcome the Goddess. Rangoli, floral decorations, and diyas amplify the entrances, thereby creating a vibrant and spiritual ambiance.
The Rituals of Mahalaxmi Puja includes:
Purification: The area where the puja is to be conducted is purified with holy water and cow dung, which is considered sacred in Hindu religion.
Setting Up the Altar: An altar is prepared with a clean cloth, and images or idols of Goddess Lakshmi are placed on it. Along with-it coins, gold, and silver ornaments are also arranged.
Offering Prayers: Devotees under the guidance of professional pandits offer prayers to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, before starting the Mahalaxmi Puja. After the Ganesha puja, pandits indulge in the invocation of the Navagrahas to seek their blessings.
Mahalaxmi Puja: The pandits begin main ritual by chanting Lakshmi mantras and reciting the Mahalaxmi Ashtakam. During the puja, Devotees offer flowers, sweets, fruits, and special dishes prepared for the occasion to the Goddess. One of the significant offerings is the ‘Naivedya,’ which includes various delicacies symbolizing abundance.
Lakshmi Aarti: The Lakshmi Aarti marks the conclusion of the puja, where devotees along with the pandits sing bhajan in praise of the Goddess while waving lit diyas in a circular motion. This ritual is believed to remove negativity and invite positive energy into the house.
Prasad distribution: The offerings made to the Goddess are then distributed as ‘prasad’ among family members and guests, symbolizing the sharing of divine blessings.
The celebration of Mahalaxmi Puja is seen throughout the country but with regional variations:
In Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated with great fervor at the Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Temple, one of the Shakti Peethas. Along with puja, grand celebration takes place here every year and thousands of devotees gather to seek the Goddess’s blessings.
In West Bengal, Mahalaxmi Puja is generally performed during the Kojagari Purnima, the full moon night in the month of Ashwin. It is believed that on this night, Goddess Lakshmi blesses those who remain awake and devoted to her.
In South India, the puja is combined with the celebration of Navaratri. Elaborate kolams and traditional music and dance performances are integral parts of the festival here.
Mahalaxmi Puja is not just a ritual based celebration but also a time for families to come together, keeping alive the cultural values and traditions.
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