Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi Puja is the central ritual of Diwali, performed to invite the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, into a clean, well-lit home. It is typically performed together with Ganesha (who clears obstacles) and often Saraswati (goddess of knowledge) and Kubera (treasurer of the gods), following the full sixteen-step Shodashopachara sequence of worship.
Thoroughly clean the house beforehand — Lakshmi is said to enter only clean, well-lit homes. Decorate the entrance with rangoli and rows of diyas so the goddess can find her way in.
Place a red cloth on a wooden platform, arrange the new idols of Ganesha and Lakshmi (with Saraswati if included), and set the Kalash beside them, filled with water and topped with a coconut wrapped in red cloth.
Take a formal Sankalp stating the intent of the puja, then worship Ganesha first with the standard offerings so the ritual proceeds without obstruction.
Perform the sixteen steps of Shodashopachara worship for Lakshmi — meditation (dhyana), invocation (avahana), offering a seat (asana), water for the feet and hands (padya, arghya), bathing (snana), clothing (vastra), sacred thread (yajnopavita), sandal paste (gandha), rice (akshata), flowers (pushpa), incense (dhupa), lamp (dipa), food (naivedya), betel leaf (tambula), a token gift (dakshina), and a final prayer (mantra pushpanjali).
Businesses and households traditionally place their ledgers (bahi-khata) before the goddess and mark them with kumkum and akshat, seeking her blessing on wealth and accounts for the year ahead.
Close with the Lakshmi aarti ("Om Jai Lakshmi Mata"), light every lamp and diya in the house, and leave doors and windows open so prosperity can enter freely.
A seed-syllable (beeja) mantra invoking Mahalakshmi, the lotus-dwelling goddess, asking for her grace and favor.
Some communities perform Lakshmi Puja together with Kubera Puja (the treasurer god) and Saraswati Puja on the same night; the exact combination and the extended list of ritual items (Sapt-Mritika, Sarvoshadhi herbs, etc.) vary by region and are typically assembled by a priest for elaborate versions of the puja.