How to perform Lakshmi puja in the right direction this Diwali

New Delhi, India: Diwali, the festival of lights, is around the corner and many people are preparing to perform Lakshmi puja, the ritual of worshipping the goddess of wealth and prosperity. But do you know the best direction to place the idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha, and the best direction to face while performing the puja?
According to Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture and design, the northeast corner of the house is the most auspicious for Lakshmi puja. The mandir or home temple in which the idols are placed should ideally face the east-west direction in the northeast corner so that the person performing the puja will face either east or west, which is considered to be good according to Vastu.
The idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha should be placed on a chowki or table, covered with a red cloth. Red is a sacred color that symbolizes energy, power, and prosperity. Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, should be worshipped first, followed by Lakshmi, the giver of wealth and abundance.
The idols should be placed in such a way that the face of Lakshmi is towards the north and the face of Ganesha is towards the south. This is because north is the direction of Kubera, the god of wealth, and south is the direction of success and fame. By placing the idols in this manner, one can attract the blessings of both Lakshmi and Kubera, as well as Ganesha.
The idols should also be adorned with flowers, jewellery, and coins. A plate of rice or wheat grains should be placed in front of the idols, as they represent abundance and nourishment. A kalash or pot filled with water and decorated with mango leaves and a coconut should also be placed near the idols, as it symbolizes the source of life.
The puja should be performed with devotion and gratitude, using incense, lamps, camphor, and other items. The puja should also include the recitation of mantras, such as the Lakshmi Gayatri mantra and the Lakshmi Ashtottara Shatanamavali, which are the 108 names of Lakshmi. The puja should end with the offering of prasad, which is the food offered to the deities, and the distribution of the same to the family members and guests.
By performing Lakshmi puja in the right direction, one can invite the goddess of wealth and prosperity into their home and life, and celebrate Diwali with joy and happiness.