Diwali (traditionally known as Deepavali) is celebrated on the Amavasya Tithi (New Moon night), Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the Moon), in the Hindu month of Kartik. On this day, devotees light earthen lamps, decorate their homes with flowers and rangoli, prepare and gorge on a variety of sweets and savouries, wear new clothes, and most importantly, perform Lakshmi Puja.

Though the festival marks Shri Rama's return to Ayodhya (his birthplace) after spending fourteen years in exile, devotees also worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day. Belief suggests that Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, visits people's homes and blesses them with riches. Therefore to usher in good luck, wealth and prosperity, people keep the main door of their home open and perform Lakshmi Pujan. Read on to know the list of items you would need for Lakshmi puja and the puja vidhi.

Diwali Lakshmi Puja 2021 shubh muhurat
The puja shubh muhurat is between 6:09 PM to 8:04 PM

Ganesh and Lakshmi Puja Vidhi
You may choose the temple in your home for performing the puja. Keep a wooden chowki adjacent to the altar and cover it with a red cloth.
Spread some rice on the right front of the chowki.
Light an oil/ghee lamp and place it on the rice carpet.
Fill water in a copper/brass or silver Kalash.
Put a pinch haldi, chandan and kumkum into it. Then cover the neck of the Kalash with Mango or betel leaves. Finally, place a whole brown coconut with its husk on top of it.
Then do Dhyana (connect the inner self with God)
Spread some rice on the surface of the chowki and place idols of Goddess Lakshmi and to her left, an idol of Lord Ganesha. The layer of rice in the bottom acts as an Asana (seat). Begin the puja by paying tributes to Lord Ganesha. All the offerings must be first made to Lord Ganesha.
Invoke the deities and invite them to accept your humble offerings.
Padya - (offer a drop or two of water to the Lord's feet)
Arghya - (offer a drop or two of water to the Lord)
Achaman- (drink water from your palm after offering it to God)
In case you wish to do the Abhishek, gently place the idols of each of the deities on a plate one after the other and repeat the following process.
Snana - (offer water to the Lord for bathing. One may use water, milk, coconut water, Gangajal, honey, curd etc., for doing the Abhishek - only if the idols are made of metal).
If you do the Abhishek, gently pour water on each of the idols in the end and wipe them with a clean cloth.
After performing the Abhishek, you would have to place them back on their respective seats.
Vastra - offer a fresh piece of cloth to the deity. For example, you may use small pieces of kalava as vastra and offer two pieces for each deity.
Yagnopaveeth - offer the sacred Janeyu and Akshat to the Lord Ganesha.
Also, worship the lamp by offering flowers, akshat, kumkuma, haldi and chandan.