Lakshmi Pujan - Godess Laxmi prayer

Diwali Lakshmi puja is the major event of Diwali celebrations. Indeed, Diwali means worshiping Goddess Lakshmi. Particularly in the Northern and Western India, Lakshmi puja is performed on a large scale and with numerous rites and rituals. On the third day of the festivity i.e. on the day of Diwali Lakshmi Puja is performed in a grandeur way. Goddess Lakshmi is earnestly worshiped in every household and business establishments after sunset to increase the flush of cash in the family.

Lakshmi puja on Diwali holds a great significance. People perform the puja of the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity to earn wealth and riches of the world. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits every house during the dark night of Diwali and gives blessings of peace and prosperity only to those who light lamps and keep their house illuminated the whole night. Therefore, people light up lamps in the house in order to light the path of Goddess Lakshmi and welcome the 'Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'.

n fact, people also keep their main doors open the whole night to get the blessings of the Lakshmi on Diwali. Cleaning and whitewashing is also an essential element of the Diwali celebrations or to perform Diwali Lakshmi puja. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi loves cleanliness and visits the cleanest house. Hence, on the day of Diwali, in some places broomstick is worshipped with haldi and kumkum i.e. turmeric and vermillion respectively.
Diwali Lakshmi puja is a combined puja of five deities:

Lord Ganesha,
Mahalakshmi-the Goddess of Wealth and Money,
Mahasaraswati-the Goddess of Books and Learning
Mahakali (Goddess of Strength, goddess of Destroyer and Preserver)
Kuber-the Treasurer of the Gods) is yet another part of Lakshmi puja on Diwali.

The history of the Diwali Lakshmi puja dates back to the event of churning of the milk ocean by gods and demons. It was believed that the Wealth goddess took refuge in this ocean and was reborn due to churning of the ocean. Thus, Diwali is a celebration to commemorate the rebirth of Goddess Lakshmi. i is regarded as the goddess of beauty, light, cleanliness, wealth and good luck. She is the daughter of Bhrigu hermit.