Diwali Lakshmi Ganesh Puja at Home: Complete Samagri Checklist

Lakshmi Ganesh puja on Diwali evening is the centre of the festival in most homes. Families welcome Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and Lord Ganesha for wisdom and a smooth start to the new year. Getting the samagri ready a day early leaves the evening free for the puja itself. Use this checklist and tick items off as you go.

Customs differ between regions and families, so treat this as a starting point and follow your own tradition or your pandit ji's guidance.

Idols and setup

  • Lakshmi and Ganesha idols. A new pair is traditionally brought home for Diwali. See Ganesh Lakshmi idols.
  • Saraswati and Kuber idols, if your family includes them. See the Ganesh Lakshmi Kuber Saraswati set.
  • A chowki or raised platform. See the brass chowki.
  • A red or yellow cloth to cover the chowki
  • A kalash (copper or brass pot) with water, mango leaves and a coconut
  • Shri Yantra (optional). See the brass Shri Yantra.

Lamps and light

  • A main ghee diya that stays lit through the puja. See brass diyas.
  • Small diyas for doorways, windows and the tulsi plant
  • Cotton wicks (batti), ghee and mustard or sesame oil
  • Matchbox and a few spare candles
  • Camphor (kapur) for aarti

Puja thali

  • Roli or kumkum, haldi and chandan
  • Akshat (unbroken rice)
  • Moli or kalava (sacred thread)
  • Incense sticks (agarbatti) and dhoop
  • A small bell for aarti. See pooja bells.
  • Water in a small lota, and a spoon (achamani)
  • Supari, paan leaves and cloves

Offerings (bhog)

  • Fresh flowers and a lotus if available (lotus is associated with Lakshmi)
  • Marigold garlands for the idols and the doorway
  • Sweets such as kheel-batashe, laddoo or homemade mithai
  • Fruits and dry fruits
  • Coins, or new notes kept in a small bowl, as a symbol of wealth
  • Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar) if your tradition includes abhishek

Decoration

  • Rangoli colours or flower petals for the entrance
  • A toran or bandhanwar for the main door. See brass wall hangings.
  • Lakshmi charan (footprint) stickers or rangoli leading inside

The day before Diwali

  1. Clean the mandir and the area where the chowki will stand.
  2. Clean your brass idols and diyas. Our brass cleaning guide covers safe methods.
  3. Set up the chowki, cloth and kalash so only the fresh items remain for the evening.
  4. Buy flowers, sweets and fruits, or order them for morning delivery.

On Diwali evening

The puja is performed during the auspicious muhurat on Amavasya evening. Check the exact time for your city in a local panchang. Light the main diya and begin by worshipping Ganesha, then Lakshmi. For the placement of the idols on the chowki, follow your family's custom.

Looking for a Diwali gift as well? Browse the Diwali puja collection.

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