A complete home-worship guide for Diwali, combining Lord Ganesha worship, Mother Kali Puja, Mother Lakshmi Puja, Dhaar guidance, a Lakshmi and Kali Havan, and a separate DIY Lakshmi Narayana Puja with Panchamrit.
After having a bath, you should wear fresh clothes. Next proceed to your prayer place, and sprinkle water to purify the place. Then sprinkle ata (flour) on a clean board/tile (or see what you can use – use your discretion). This is called a mandala/bedi (a place where the prayer is going to be performed.). On the mandala place a Lord Ganesh murti and a small murti of Mother Lakshmi and Ma Kali (or if you just have a picture of Mother Lakshmi and Mother Kali). Wash your hands and then place some water in your right hand and sip water from the palm of the right hand, chant Om Vishnu, wash your hands again and do this two more times.
Say in English “O Lord, on this day the 15 th day of the dark moon in this month of Kartik, I (your name) am performing my Mother Kali and Mother Lakshmi Puja and Havan.
Lord Ganesha Prayer Procedure
Mother Kali Prayer Procedure
Now chant the following: 1) Hold your palms in the Namaste 🙏🏼 position and chant: Om swagatam su swagatam – Om Kali devi-yai namah (Swagatam means “O Mother Kali I welcome you”.) 2) Offer one or three incense sticks (dhoopam) by turning it seven times clockwise around Mother Kali’s deity/photo. Om tato dhoopam aghraa-payaami – Om Kali devi-yai namah O Mother Kali, I offer you this incense, kindly accept my offering. 3) Then offer a clay or brass lamp (deepam) with either ghee or oil with a wick or a small piece of camphor by turning it seven times clockwise around the deity/photo.
Om prat-yaksha deepam darshayaami – Om Kali devi-yai namah O Mother Kali, I offer you this lamp offering, kindly accept my offering. 4) Then offer flower (pushpam) or flower petals by turning it seven times clockwise around Mother Kali’s deity/photo. Om idam pushpam – Om Kali devi-yai namah O Mother Kali, I offer you this flower, kindly accept my offering. 5) Then offer cut fruit or sweet meats or sweet rice (Naivedyam). It should be in a small bowl with a teaspoon. Turn the bowl seven times clockwise around the deity/photo and bring the bowl near the lips of Mother Kali suggesting she partakes in the food offering. Then leave this in front of the deity/photo.
*** Do note that some aspirants offer Devi, Halwa Puri, and so forth but that is optional, the above puja method is simple and very cost effective. This is later consumed by the family as the Devi’s Prashad. Om naivedyam samar-payaami – Om Kali devi-yai namah O Mother Kali, I offer you this food offering, kindly accept my offering.
Now place the brick in front of you that has seven or nine camphors and cloves and light the camphor and pray to Ma Kali. Many will inquire “What if I don’t get a beera, is my puja answered or not”? Please understand this is not a bargaining prayer, whether you get a beera or not is inconsequential. Ask Mata and leave it to her.
6) Then in a cup (lota/chumbhu) which has * Dhaar turn the lota seven times clockwise around the deity/photo and bring the lota near the lips of Devi suggesting she drink the Dhaar offering. O Mother Kali I offer you your favourite drink Dhaar, kindly accept my offering.
* (What is DHAAR?. I have included more information below) After that take the lota of Dhaar and turn nine times in a clockwise direction around the camphor and then drop 9 little drops of Dhaar in front of the brick. The rest you offer in your Thaan (an already specified place where you offer your Dhaar) later on after the havan is completed.
7) Offer prayers for forgiveness Om yaani kaani cha papani janmaantara kritaani cha taani sarvaani nashyanti pradakshina pade pade // “O Compassionate Mother Kali! Victory to You! Please do forgive all the errors committed by me with the hands, legs, speech, body, through actions, through the ears, eyes, mind or by not doing ordained actions or by doing prohibited actions”.
Then offer your personal prayers to Mother Kali. Ask Mother Kali for whatever you desire (within reason) and Devi being so merciful will grant what you desire. But be careful what you desire for. Bow down and leave the prayer place. The Dhaar is offered in your Devi thaan. The food offerings are eaten as prashadam.
1. Optional: Suggested Mother Kali mantra you may chant 11, 21 or 108 times: OM AIM HREEM KLEEM CHAMUNDAYE VICHCHE NAMAH
2. Optional: You may hear the Kali Chalisa. Kali Chalisa click ( HERE ).
3. Optional: You may offer the Mother a lime or lemon. You may write your name on the lime or lemon. Hold the lime or lemon and pray for what you desire like good health or a better job etc. This is kept for the 7 days by the Photo or Murti of the Mother. On the 7th day it is discarded in the garden or in a river.
The Significance of Dhaar Offerings
The significance of DHAAR offerings to the Divine Mother. In any puja to Devi, particularly in Her Divine forms as Mothers Durga/Bandi/Kali, Dhaar is offered. Unfortunately there is no direct English translation of Dhaar from Sanskrit. The nearest being “The Divine Wine”. Now I said wine, but it does not refer to the famous wines we produce here in South Africa, rather this beverage – the “wine” – is especially Devi’s favourite. Many have been offering Devi Dhaar but have never had an idea as to why. So, below we are furnishing you with shastric proof of Dhaar and its importance in Devi puja.
Dhaar Ingredients
Turmeric sticks, cloves, nutmeg (Jaiphal/Jaifar), almonds, elachie, flowers petals (Hibuscus), sugar candy, camphor, turf, cows’s milk, honey, akshat (white unbroken rice) and syringaberry leaves. (kindly view the attached photo)
One may chant the following mantra from the “Shree Artha Argala Stotram” when offering Dhaar but if it’s rather difficult to pronounce then recite the English meaning… Om Jayanti Mangala Kaali Bhadra Kaali Kaapaalini Durga Shamma Shivaah Dhaatri Swaahaa Swaadhaa Namostute
(Oh! Conqueror of all, Remover of darkness, Auspicious one, beyond time, the bearer of Skulls of Impure thoughts, Reliever of difficulties, loving forgiveness, supporter of the Universe. You are the one who truly receives the sacrificial offerings and the offerings to the Pitrs (Ancestors). To you I bow most merciful Devi.)
A question will be asked by some aspirants – “how many lotas of Dhaar should one offer?” I would humbly suggest one lota of Dhaar and from that one lota offer 9 times on your Thaan. Yes you can offer 9 Lotas of Dhaar, but if you offering the Dhaar to a plant you going to drown that poor plant… So common sense should always prevail.
Mother Lakshmi Prayer Procedure
Now chant the following: 1) Hold your palms in the Namaste 🙏🏼 position and chant: Om swagatam su swagatam – Om Lakshmi devi-yai namah (Swagatam means “O Mother Lakshmi I welcome you”.) 2) Offer one or three incense sticks (dhoopam) by turning it seven times clockwise around Mother Lakshmi’s deity/photo. Om tato dhoopam aghraa-payaami – Om Lakshmi devi-yai namah O Mother Lakshmi, I offer you this incense, kindly accept my offering. 3) Then offer a clay or brass lamp (deepam) with either ghee or oil with a wick or a small piece of camphor by turning it seven times clockwise around the deity/photo.
Om prat-yaksha deepam darshayaami – Om Lakshmi devi-yai namah O Mother Lakshmi, I offer you this lamp offering, kindly accept my offering. 4) Then offer flower (pushpam) or flower petals by turning it seven times clockwise around Mother Lakshmi’s deity/photo. Om idam pushpam – Om Lakshmi devi-yai namah O Mother Lakshmi, I offer you this flower, kindly accept my offering. 5) Then offer cut fruit or sweet meats or sweet rice (Naivedyam). It should be in a small bowl with a teaspoon. Turn the bowl seven times clockwise around the deity/photo and bring the bowl near the lips of Mother Lakshmi suggesting she partakes in the food offering.
Then leave this in front of the deity/photo.
*** Do note that some aspirants offer Devi, Halwa Puri, and so forth but that is optional, the above puja method is simple and very cost effective. This is later consumed by the family as the Devi’s Prashad. Om naivedyam samar-payaami – Om Lakshmi devi-yai namah O Mother Lakshmi, I offer you this food offering, kindly accept my offering.
Now place the brick in front of you that has seven or nine camphors and cloves and light the camphor and pray to Ma Lakshmi. Many will inquire “What if I don’t get a beera, is my puja answered or not”? Please understand this is not a bargaining prayer, whether you get a beera or not is inconsequential. Ask Devi and leave it to her.
6) Then in a cup (lota/chumbhu) which has Milk turn the lota seven times clockwise around the deity/photo and bring the lota near the lips of Devi suggesting she drink the Milk offering. O Mother Lakshmi I offer you this Milk drink offering, kindly accept my offering.
* DHAAR is NOT offered to Mother Lakshmi or Mother Saraswati as it is a beverage. After that take the lota of Milk and turn nine times in a clockwise direction around the camphor and then drop 9 little drops of Milk in front of the brick. The rest you offer in your Thaan (an already specified place where you offer your Dhaar) later on after the havan is completed.
7) Offer prayers for forgiveness Om yaani kaani cha papani janmaantara kritaani cha taani sarvaani nashyanti pradakshina pade pade // “O Compassionate Mother Lakshmi! Victory to You! Please do forgive all the errors committed by me with the hands, legs, speech, body, through actions, through the ears, eyes, mind or by not doing ordained actions or by doing prohibited actions”.
Then offer your personal prayers to Mother Lakshmi. Ask Mother Lakshmi for whatever you desire (within reason) and Devi being so merciful will grant what you desire. But be careful what you desire for. Bow down and leave the prayer place. The Milk is offered in your Devi thaan. The food offerings are eaten as prashadam.
1. Optional: Suggested Mother Lakshmi mantra you may chant 11, 21 or 108 times: om shareeng hareeng kaleeng hareeng shree maha lakshmiyai namah
2. Optional: You may hear the Lakshmi Chalisa. Lakshmi Chalisa click ( HERE ).
Lakshmi and Kali Devi Havan
The Lakshmi/Kali devi Havan is performed in your home. Have all the requirements for the havan arranged on a tray beforehand. Make sure in the havan kund you have about two handfuls of sand (Why you may ask it’s because when ghee is offered into the kund the ghee won’t leak out of the kund and mess the floor, the sand absorbs the ghee), then place wood in the kund. Place kusha/darbha grass on the four sides of the kund. Then place a few tablets of camphor in the kund. Now light the few tablets of camphor in the havan kund. You can add more camphor in the kund as the havan continues.
Sit facing East or North. Chant the mantra to invoke Agnidev: Om Agni Devtaa bhyo namah aavaahayaamee sthapayamee. Now offer Incense, clay Lamp and a flower 7 times around the kund. Offer a Tulsi Twig into the fire. (this is optional). The Samaghree consists of (Black Til, white rice, jaw {jau}, navdhan, and lobhan).
Havan Mantras and Offerings
Now we start the havan… every time “swaahaa” is chanted, offer samaghree into the fire.
Om Ganapataye swaahaa x 1
Om sooryaaya swaahaa x 1
Om somaaya swaahaa x 1
Om angaarkaaya swaahaa x 1
Om budhaaya swaahaa x 1
Om brihaspataye swaahaa x 1
Om shukraaya swaahaa x 1
Om shanaishcharaaya swaahaa x 1
Om raahave swaahaa x 1
Om ketave swaahaa x 1
Om Prajaapataye swaahaa x 1
Om Indraaya swaahaa x 1
Om Agnaye swaahaa x 1
Om Somaaya swaahaa x 1
Om Bhooh swaahaa x 1
Om Bhuvah Swaahaa x 1
Om Swah Swaahaa x 1
Om Hanumate swaahaa x 1
Om aim hreem kleem chaamun daayai vich chai swaahaa X (3 or 9 or 11 or 108 times)
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu, Shakti Rupena Samstita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai, Namo Namah swaahaa x 1
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu, Buddhi Rupena Samstita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai, Namo Namah swaahaa x 1
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu, Lakshmi Rupena Samstita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai, Namo Namah swaahaa x 1
“
Om trayam bakkam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam urvaarookamiva bandha naam mrityor mooksheeya maamritaat” swaahaa x 1 om shareeng hareeng kaleeng hareeng shree maha lakshmiyai swaahaa X (3 or 9 or 11 or 108 times)
Om Namo Naaraayanaaya swaahaa x 1
Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaayaa swaahaa x 1
Om Shree Vishnave swaahaa x 1
Om shreeng hreeng sarasvatyai swaahaa x 1
Om Brahmaye Swaahaa x 1
Om Sarva Devee Devebhyo swaahaa x 1
Offer samaghree 9 times with the Maha Mantra “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare” to allay for any mistakes committed during the havan.
Offer water three times around the havan kund.
Finally place two purees on top of each other, on top of this place a betel leaf, then place the balance of the samaghree on top of the betel leaf, then place a betel nut, a few drops of ghee and then chant “Om sarvam vai poornam swaahaa” And place this in the middle of the fire. Offer the rest of the ghee into the fire.
Now you can chant (or play on a CD/cassette player) Ma Lakshmi or Ma Kali’s Aarti.
After the Aarti you should bow down before the fire and then stand up and your final prayer is to chant the Mahamantra three times which is as follows (“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare“) to nullify
any mistakes you made while performing these prayers to Mother Lakshmi and Mother Kali.
DIY Diwali Lakshmi Puja
Panchamrit for the Puja
How to make Panchamrit for the puja below: In a standard size cup add 3/4 cup milk, 2 Tsps of yoghurt (maas), 1 Tsp of Sugar or Jaggery (Gur), 1 tsp honey, a drop of ghee. Mix this well and that’s your Panchamrit. You can add some coconut water and cut fruits like banana, apple, pear etc. This is optional.
Why Diwali Amavasya Is Auspicious
Why is Amavasya falling in the Deepavali period considered as auspicious? Generally Amavasya is considered inauspicious, but the Amavasya that occurs in the Dipavali period is extremely beneficial and prosperity bestowing. During Deepavali the worship of Mother Lakshmi is highly recommended. The subtle effects of the Lakshmi puja postively affects both the husband and wife. When the husband and wife remember and worship Lakshmi devi with spiritual emotion, a spiral of spiritual emotion and positive vibrations are generated in both of them. A flow of positive energy is attracted in the image of Lakshmi Devi and its spiral is thus generated.
Through the spiral the flows of positive Energy are emitted in the environment. These flows of positive Energy are emitted towards the worshipper also and its spiral is generated in him/her. Particles of positive Energy is then spread in the body of the worshipper and the immediate environment. A flow of Bliss is attracted at the venue of worship. Through this flow a spiral of Bliss is created and the positive vibrations of Bliss spread in the environment. Make a Kusha ring with a Kusha grass. If there are four members in your family then make 4 Kush Rings.
In the morning or evening of the puja proper, after having a bath, you should wear fresh clothes. Then at your prayer place, sprinkle water to purify the place. Then sprinkle Ata (flour) on a clean board/tile (or see what you can use – use your discretion). This is called a mandala/bedi (a place where the prayer is going to be performed.). Place a Lord Ganesh Murti or picture on the Bedi and next to the picture of Lord Ganesh, place a picture of Lord Vishnu/Satyanarayan (you can use the picture given below). And next to the picture of Lord Vishnu/Satyanarayan on the right side when you are facing the picture, place your Lakshmi Lamp.
Fill a clay/brass/copper pot with white or basmati rice, place five fresh washed mango leaves in the pot and place a coconut (you should already have cleaned the coconut) in the pot. Thereafter place a red cloth on the coconut. Then place this pot at the centre of the mandala. Fresh grains are used in the worship as they convey the idea of growth and prosperity.
Beginning the DIY Lakshmi Narayana Puja
Sit facing East or North by the Bedi…
Recite the following mantra: Take a little water from a clean cup using a teaspoon. Each time put a little water in your right hand palm and sip it, chanting “OM VISHNU”. Wash your hands and repeat 2 more times. Now wash your hands one last time. Then take a little rice and flower petals and say in English “O LakshmiNarayan on this Amavasya day, in the month of Kartik, I (state your name), I am performing my LakshmiNarayan to praise, honour and worship You both.
Please accept my prayer to You both”. Now leave this down on the bedi.
Lord Ganesha Puja on the Bedi
Take a betel leaf, betel nut, coin, rice and flower petals and chant Shree Ganeshji’s mantra “Om ganapataye aavaahayaamee sthapayamee” and keep on the bedi in front of the Lord Ganesh murti/picture. Pray to Lord Ganesh to remove all obstacles in the path of your prayers.
Offer on the betel leaf offered to Lord Ganesh on the bedi 4 drops of water, Panchamrit, chandan dot (on the betel leaf), sprinkle rice and then flower petals (on the betel leaf), turn incense and lamp 7 times (clockwise, around the betel leaf), offer half a teaspoon sweet rice on the betel leaf and then offer betel leaf with a betel nut and place in front of the first betel leaf then finally offer lamp 7 times clockwise around the murti. Then offer Lord Ganesha his favourite food viz. kheer (sweet rice), sugar candy and laddus.
* Do note the lamp above (offered to Lord Ganesh) is the clay lamp on a saucer, which has a wick and ghee in it. This is not the Lakshmi Lamp.
Navagraha Puja on the Bedi
Take another betel leaf, betel nut, coin, rice and flowers and pray to the 9 planets. Leave on the bedi.
Take a little rice and every time you chant namah offer on the betel nut. Om sooryaaya namah Om somaaya namah Om angaarkaaya namah Om budhaaya namah Om brihaspataye namah Om shukraaya namah Om shanaishcharaaya namah Om raahave namah Om ketave namah
Offer on the betel leaf offered to the 9 Planets on the bedi 4 drops of water, Panchamrit, chandan dot (on the betel leaf), sprinkle rice and then flower petals (on the betel leaf), turn incense and lamp 7 times (clockwise, around the betel leaf), offer half a teaspoon sweet rice on the betel leaf and then offer betel leaf with a betel nut and place in front of the first betel leaf then finally offer lamp 7 times clockwise around the 9 planets betel leaf.
Mother Lakshmi Puja on the Bedi
Commence with Mother Lakshmi’s puja.
Lord Ganesha Puja on the Bedi
Take a betel leaf, betel nut, coin, rice and flowers and pray to Mother Lakshmi “Om Lakshmi Mata aavaahayaamee sthapayamee” and keep on the bedi. Offer on the betel leaf offered to Mother Lakshmi on the bedi 4 drops of water, Panchamrit, little sindhur, chandan dot (on the betel leaf), sprinkle rice and then flower petals (on the betel leaf), turn incense and lamp 7 times (clockwise, around the betel leaf), offer half a teaspoon sweet rice on the betel leaf and then offer betel leaf with a betel nut and place in front of the first betel leaf then finally offer lamp 7 times clockwise around the Betel leaf. When this is done you can chant the Lakshmi Chalisa now.
Lord Vishnu Puja on the Bedi
Now commence with Lord Vishnu (Narayana’s) puja.
Navagraha Puja on the Bedi
Take another betel leaf, betel nut, coin, rice and flowers and pray to Lord Vishnu “Om Vishnudev aavaahayaamee sthapayamee” and keep on the bedi. Then on the betel leaf offered to Lord Vishnu on the bedi 4 drops of water, Panchamrit, chandan dot (on the betel leaf), sprinkle rice and then flower petals (on the betel leaf), offer one Tulsi leaf, then turn incense and lamp 7 times (clockwise, around the betel leaf), offer half a teaspoon sweet rice on the betel leaf and then offer betel leaf with a betel nut and place in front of the first betel leaf then finally offer lamp 7 times clockwise around the Betel leaf.
Now the Havan commences which we have provided above.