By Om Tat Sat · Hindu Seeker Library · Updated 19 October 2026
The simplest and most widely chanted Lakshmi mantra for Diwali is Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah (ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः), "Om, with the seed sound Shreem, I bow to the great Lakshmi." Chant it 11, 21 or 108 times during Lakshmi Puja on the evening of Sunday, 8 November 2026, after first honouring Ganesha with Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
What does Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah mean?
It is a salutation to Mahalakshmi built around her seed syllable (bīja), Śrīṁ.
- oṁ — the primordial sound
- śrīṁ — the bīja (seed syllable) of Lakshmi
- mahā-lakṣmyai — to the great Lakshmi
- namaḥ — I bow; salutations
Lakshmi is Śrī: auspiciousness, beauty and prosperity of every kind, outer and inner. She is the consort of Vishnu, rose from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) seated on a lotus, and her oldest hymn is the Śrī Sūkta, preserved among the supplementary (khila) hymns of the Rig Veda.
Pronunciation: Om shreem ma-haa-laksh-myai na-ma-ha.
When should I chant it during Diwali 2026?
Chant it in the evening, at lamp-lighting, and above all during Lakshmi Puja on Diwali night.
- Dhanteras — Friday 6 Nov — Light the Yama Deepam at dusk; begin 11 chants of the Lakshmi mantra
- Diwali / Lakshmi Puja — Sunday 8 Nov — Ganesha mantra, then the Lakshmi mantra (11/21/108) during the puja muhurat
- Govardhan Puja — Tuesday 10 Nov — Krishna remembrance; continue the daily chant if you've taken a sankalpa
- Every Friday — (Śukravāra) — Lakshmi's traditional day; keep the chant going after Diwali
The Lakshmi Puja muhurat follows your local sunset, so check a trusted panchang (such as Drik Panchang) for your city. In New Delhi it is about 5:54–7:50 p.m. IST on 8 November.
Why chant to Ganesha first?
Ganesha, Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles, is honoured before every beginning in Hindu worship, and that's why Diwali altars place Lakshmi and Ganesha side by side. Chant Om Gam Ganapataye Namah (ॐ गं गणपतये नमः) three or eleven times before turning to Lakshmi.
How many times should I chant the Lakshmi mantra?
11, 21 or 108 times are traditional, and 108 is one full mala. Eleven chants offered with full attention are worth more than 108 rushed ones. Lotus-seed (kamal gaṭṭā) and crystal malas are traditionally used for Lakshmi.
How do I do a simple Diwali mantra practice at home?
- Clean the space and the entrance; tradition says Lakshmi stays where there is cleanliness.
- Light a diya and sit facing it.
- Ganesha first: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah, 3 or 11 times.
- Gratitude: silently name three things you are thankful for.
- Lakshmi: Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah, 11, 21 or 108 times, gently and sweetly.
- Silence: sit for one minute and let the mind rest in the flame.
- Offer: share a sweet or do one generous act the same evening.
Follow your family's tradition wherever it differs. These steps are a simple daily form, not a replacement for a full puja.
Is the Lakshmi mantra only for money?
No. In the Hindu view, Lakshmi's grace includes a peaceful home, a contented heart and the means to do good. Chant it as an offering of thanks, not as a transaction. As Patanjali puts it, santoṣād anuttamaḥ sukha-lābhaḥ: "from contentment comes unsurpassed happiness" (Yoga Sutra 2.42).
Frequently asked questions
Can I chant the Lakshmi mantra without initiation? Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah is widely chanted by householders as a devotional salutation. If you follow a guru or a specific sampradaya, follow their guidance.
What is the best day after Diwali to continue? Fridays, which are traditionally sacred to Lakshmi. You can also take a 21-day or 40-day sankalpa starting on Diwali night.
Can I chant silently? Yes. Spoken, whispered and mental japa are all traditional, and mental japa is often considered the subtlest.
What else can I recite on Diwali? Many families recite the Śrī Sūkta, the Lakshmi Ashtottara (108 names) or the Asato mā sadgamaya prayer from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28): "lead me from darkness to light."
Sources
- Śrī Sūkta, Rig Veda khila (supplementary) hymns
- Patanjali, Yoga Sutras 2.42
- Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28
- Diwali 2026 dates and the New Delhi muhurat: Drik Panchang (via HinduTone, "Lakshmi Puja Muhurat 2026 India")
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