Margasira Lakshmi Puja is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and
is observed on Thursdays during Margasira Month (November – December)
in Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
This Lakshmi puja is performed to get comfort, peace and prosperity.
The Mahalakshmi
Puja is observed for four Thursdays of the Margasira month as per traditional
Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra. Some people observe it for eight
Thursdays (including the Thursdays in the next month – the Pushya month).
Margasira Lakshmi Puja fast is from sunrise to sunset. The devotee should wear yellow color clothes.
Some Tips on Margasira Lakshmi Puja:
- Performing
Lakshmi Puja and taking holy dip in sacred river like Yamuna is
meritorious.
- The
Murti or painting of Goddess Lakshmi worshipped on the day should have her
sitting on a lotus flower. She should be holding a lotus and elephants
should be showering water or coins.
- The
house should be kept neat and clean. All unwanted items should be sold
off.
- On
each Thursday a different prasada
should be offered to Goddess Lakshmi.
- Awla
(gooseberry tree) and Mango tree should be planted on Thursday.
- Food
should be offered to the poor.
- The
Kalasha prepared on the day should be decorated with mango and awla
leaves.
- Prayers
should be offered facing west.
- Lamp
on the day should be lit using cow ghee mixed with turmeric powder
(haldi).
- Dhoopa
and agarbatti should be of sandalwood.
- Kesari.
- Red
and yellow color flowers should be offered to Goddess.
- The
prasada prepared on the day should be of jaggery and channa dal.
- Abhishek
should be done with water mixed with haldi or turmeric powder.
- The
mantra to be chanted on the day is श्रीं कमलायै नमः॥ (Sreem Kamalaayai Namaha)
- The
mantra should be chanted 108 times.
- Offering
rice to Goddess and then feeding it to birds will help in overcoming
accidents.
- Offer
11 piece of dried haldi (turmeric) to Maa Lakshmi and then keep it in the
place where money is regularly kept in the house. This will help in
increase of wealth.
- Those
facing loss in business should offer dried awla (gooseberry) to Maa
Lakshmi and then it should be placed in the western part of the house.
In Orissa, a Lakshmi puja is held
during the period and it is known as Manabasa Gurubar. It is based on Margasira
month followed in Orissa.
How to observe Margasira Lakshmi
Puja? – How to do Fasting on Margasira Lakshmi Puja
Here is a
simple explanation on how to observe Margasira Lakshmi Puja.
The
Lakshmi puja and fasting (Vrata) is performed by both men and women. Married
couples perform it together.
The most
important aspect on the day is cleanliness. Home and premises should be kept
neat and clean.
The fast
begins after morning bath. Prayers are offered to Ganesha and Lakshmi in the
morning hours after bath.
Fasting is
from Sunrise to sunset.
People eat
fruits, banana and milk while observing the fast on the day.
Those
observing the Margasira Lakshmi puja invite seven married and seven young girls
on the first day of the puja offer them fruits, haldi, kumkum and a book
containing the Mahalakshmi Vrata Katha.
Mahalakshmi
puja is observed in the evening on the day. Devotees read the Mahalakshmi Vrata
Katha and Mahalakshmi Mahatmya.
Sri Mahalakshmi
Aarti and Mahalakshmi Naman Ashtak are chanted on the day.
In the evening, after Lakshmi puja vegetarian food is eaten usually the Prasada offered to Goddess Lakshmi.