The lotus is dear to Goddess Lakshmi; avoid these mistakes when offering flowers during Diwali worship..

There are only a few days left until Diwali—a festival celebrated across the length and breadth of India. The festivities begin with Dhanteras. This year, Diwali—the festival of light, happiness, and prosperity—falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026. On this auspicious day, it is customary to perform the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha in the evening.

While many are familiar with the essential aspects of Lakshmi Puja, some devotees may overlook certain specific offerings that are particularly dear to Goddess Lakshmi. According to religious belief, including a 'lotus flower' in the worship ensures that her blessings remain with the devotee always.

The Significance of the Lotus Flower on Diwali
Offering a lotus flower to Goddess Lakshmi during the Diwali Puja is considered highly auspicious. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi herself emerged from a lotus flower. For this reason, it is customary to offer 'Ashtakamal'—that is, eight lotus flowers—to the Goddess during the Puja. One should make an effort to include a lotus flower when worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali.

In the Hindu Puranas, Goddess Lakshmi is also known as 'Kamala' and 'Kamalasana,' signifying the Goddess who resides upon a lotus. A unique quality of the lotus flower is that it retains its beauty even while blooming in the mud. Similarly, a person who offers a lotus to Goddess Lakshmi is inspired to remain radiant with goodness, even while living amidst the various evils of the world.

A Verse from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Regarding the Lotus Flower

The verse is: *Brahmanyadhaya karmani sangam tyaktva karoti yah, lipyate na sa papena padmapatramivambhasa.* In other words, a person who maintains an equanimous state of mind in all their actions—focusing solely on the work itself, free from attachment (or the desire for specific results)—remains untouched by sin, much like a lotus leaf that stays dry even while resting in water.

Keep these points in mind when offering lotus flowers to Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali.

During the Lakshmi Puja on Diwali, one should offer fresh, fully blossomed lotus flowers to Goddess Lakshmi. These should be handled with great care and offered at the feet of the deity with a heart full of devotion.

What should you avoid?
During the Lakshmi Puja on Diwali, one must not offer lotus flowers that are withered, broken, or damaged by insects. Furthermore, the flowers should not be plucked carelessly; they should be offered to Goddess Lakshmi with a sense of sanctity and purity.

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