Lakshmi mantra for Diwali: what to chant at Lakshmi Puja
The Lakshmi mantras for Diwali 2026 (Sun 8 Nov) in Devanagari with transliteration and meaning, plus the order of a simple Lakshmi Puja at home.
The best-known Lakshmi mantra for Diwali is the Lakshmi Gayatri, ॐ श्री महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णु पत्न्यै च धीमहि तन्नो लक्ष्मी प्रचोदयात्, chanted during the evening Lakshmi Puja after Ganesha is honoured first. In 2026, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja fall on Sunday 8 November. Any of the Lakshmi mantras below can be chanted 11, 21 or 108 times while the lamps are lit.
Diwali is the new moon (Amavasya) of the month of Kartik. Homes are cleaned, doors are opened, rows of diyas are lit, and the family sits together in the evening to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, beauty and good fortune. In 2027, Diwali falls on Friday 29 October. Dates are for New Delhi; tithi timings shift slightly by city.
Lakshmi mantras for Diwali
Lakshmi Gayatri mantra
ॐ श्री महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णु पत्न्यै च धीमहि तन्नो लक्ष्मी प्रचोदयात् ॥ Om Shree Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe, Vishnu Patnyai Cha Dheemahi, Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat
"We know the great Lakshmi, we meditate on the beloved of Vishnu: may Lakshmi inspire and bless us." It is traditionally chanted for abundance and for noticing new opportunities. Listen on Mahakatha.
Kamale Kamalalaye (Mahalakshmi mantra)
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः Om Shrim Hrim Shrim Kamale Kamalalaye Prasida Prasida, Om Shrim Hrim Shrim Mahalakshmyai Namah
"O lotus-like Goddess who lives in the lotus, be pleased with us, be pleased; we bow to Mahalakshmi." Many families use this as their main Lakshmi Puja mantra, chanted for ease and abundance. Listen on Mahakatha.
Lakshmi Beeja mantra
ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं लक्ष्मीभ्यो नमः Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhyo Namah
"I seek the blessings of the one who gives all wealth and prosperity." Shreem is Lakshmi's seed sound. This short mantra is easy to repeat on a mala and is chanted for contentment and fresh ideas. Listen on Mahakatha.
Lakshmi Pooja mantra
ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमो नमः ॐ विष्णुप्रियायै नमो नमः ॐ धनप्रदायै नमो नमः ॐ विश्वजननायै नमो नमः Om Mahalakshmyai Namo Namah, Om Vishnupriyayai Namo Namah, Om Dhanapradayai Namo Namah, Om Vishvajananyai Namo Namah
"I bow to Mahalakshmi, to the beloved of Vishnu, to the generous giver of wealth, to the Mother of the universe." Four names, each a small offering. Good for the moment you offer flowers. Listen on Mahakatha.
Lakshmi Prataha mantra
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै धनप्रदायै नमो नमः Om Shreem Mahaalakshmyai Dhanapradaayai Namo Namah
"With a sincere heart I pray to Mahalakshmi, the giver of wealth." Traditionally chanted to ease worry and doubt about money. Listen on Mahakatha.
Deepa Jyoti (the lamp mantra)
दीपज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः । दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते ॥ Dipajyotih Parabrahma Dipajyotirjanardanah, Dipo Haratu Me Papam Dipajyotirnamo'stute
"The light of the lamp is the Supreme, the light of the lamp is Vishnu. May this lamp take away my wrongs. I bow to the light." The perfect line to say as you light the first diya of Diwali. Listen on Mahakatha.
A simple Lakshmi Puja at home
Many families follow the muhurat from their local panchang, usually in the evening after sunset (Pradosh Kaal). If your family has its own custom, or a priest who guides you, follow them.
- Prepare the place. Clean the puja corner, spread a red or yellow cloth, and place Lakshmi and Ganesha side by side. Keep a kalash of water, flowers, rice, sweets and a few coins.
- Begin with Ganesha. Every puja starts with him. Chant वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्व कार्येषु सर्वदा॥ (Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada), asking that the work ahead go smoothly. Listen on Mahakatha.
- Light the lamps with the Deepa Jyoti line above.
- Invite Lakshmi. Offer flowers, kumkum, rice and sweets while chanting the Lakshmi Pooja mantra.
- Chant one mantra on a mala. Choose the Lakshmi Gayatri or the Beeja mantra and chant 108 times, or 11 or 21 if time is short. A japa mala helps you keep count without counting.
- Aarti and prasad. Sing the family aarti, share sweets, and keep a lamp burning through the night if that is your custom.
Some families also honour Kubera, the keeper of wealth, on this night or two days earlier on Dhanteras. See the Dhanteras mantra guide for the Kubera and Dhanvantari mantras.
A word on wealth
Lakshmi is not only money. She is called Shri: beauty, grace, health, harmony at home, generosity. Mantras are traditionally chanted to open the heart to these, not as a transaction. No mantra replaces honest work and careful money choices; it can help you meet them with a calmer, more grateful mind. For more, see mantras for money and abundance.
Mahakatha Radio plays Lakshmi mantras like these, day and night, free and without ads. Tune in while you prepare the puja, or let it play softly through the evening.
Questions people ask
Which Lakshmi mantra is the most powerful for Diwali?
There is no single answer, and traditions differ. The Lakshmi Gayatri and the Kamale Kamalalaye mantra are the two most widely chanted at Lakshmi Puja. The one you chant with full attention is the right one.
What is the chant for Goddess Lakshmi?
The simplest is Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah, a short chant to Mahalakshmi. For a longer prayer, the Lakshmi Gayatri and the four-line Lakshmi Pooja mantra above are both easy to learn.
What is Mahalakshmi's mantra?
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः (Om Shrim Hrim Shrim Kamale Kamalalaye Prasida Prasida, Om Shrim Hrim Shrim Mahalakshmyai Namah). Many sources call it the Mahalakshmi mool (root) mantra.
What is the Lakshmi Beej mantra?
The seed sound of Lakshmi is Shreem (श्रीं). It is usually chanted inside a short mantra such as ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं लक्ष्मीभ्यो नमः (Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhyo Namah).
What is the most powerful form of Lakshmi?
Mahalakshmi, the great Lakshmi, holds all her forms. She is also worshipped as the Ashtalakshmi, eight forms that include Dhana (wealth), Dhanya (food), Dhairya (courage), Vidya (knowledge) and Santana (children). Each is honoured for a different kind of blessing.
When should I chant the Lakshmi mantra on Diwali?
In the evening of Sunday 8 November 2026, during your family's Lakshmi Puja muhurat after sunset. Begin with Ganesha, light the lamps, then chant 108 times or as many as you can with attention.