Preparing
Lakshmi comes to a clean and bright home. Clean the house and the altar, draw a rangoli and her footprints at the door, and light lamps. Place an image of Lakshmi, usually with Ganesha to her left, on a red cloth over a heap of rice, with a kalash beside them, and coins, jewellery or the account books before her.
The puja
After purifying yourself, make the sankalpa and worship Ganesha, the kalash and the Navagraha. Then meditate on Lakshmi seated on a lotus, with elephants pouring water over her, and worship her with the sixteen offerings.
The sixteen offerings (shodashopachara) are: meditation on the deity and invitation (dhyana, avahana); a seat (asana); water to wash the feet (padya); water for the hands (arghya); water to sip (achamana); a bath (snana), with panchamrita and then pure water; clothes (vastra); the sacred thread (yajnopavita); sandal paste (gandha); flowers (pushpa); incense (dhupa); a lamp (dipa); food (naivedya); betel leaf and dakshina (tambula); the waving of lights (nirajana or aarti); and circling and bowing with an offering of flowers (pradakshina, namaskara, pushpanjali). Lists differ slightly between traditions.
For Lakshmi, bathe the image or the coins with panchamrita and water, offer a red cloth, kumkum, red sandal, a lotus or red flowers, lotus seeds (makhana), whole coriander and bel leaves, a lamp of ghee and kheer or other white sweets. Recite Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah 108 times, the Shri Sukta or the Kanakadhara Stotram, and perform her aarti "Om Jai Lakshmi Mata".
After the puja
Keep a lamp burning at the altar for the night. Do not sweep the house or give away money right after the puja. The coins worshipped are kept in the safe or purse as her blessing.