Margasira Lakshmi Vrata

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.