Lakshmi Marble Murtis

Lakshmi in the home and workplace

Lakshmi is worshipped as the goddess of prosperity, wellbeing and good fortune. She is honoured above all at Diwali, and many families and businesses keep a Lakshmi murti for daily or weekly worship, with Fridays traditionally associated with her in many households.

Common forms of Lakshmi in marble

• Lakshmi seated or standing on a lotus, usually with four arms: two holding lotuses, one raised in blessing and one extended in giving, often with coins flowing from the palm.
• Gaja Lakshmi: Lakshmi flanked by two elephants pouring water over her, a form associated with abundance and royal blessing.
• Lakshmi with her vahana, the owl, which appears in some regional depictions.
• Vishnu Lakshmi, where Lakshmi is shown with her consort Vishnu.

Ganesh and Lakshmi together for Diwali

At Diwali, Lakshmi is very often worshipped together with Ganesh, who is invoked first as the remover of obstacles. Families may choose two separate murtis made as a matching pair, or a single piece with both deities on one base. Customs about which side each deity sits on vary between regions and families, so it is worth following your own practice or asking your priest.

What to consider before you enquire

If you already have a Ganesh murti, share its height and photographs so that a Lakshmi can be matched in scale and style. Gaja Lakshmi forms are wider than a single seated Lakshmi, so measure the width of your mandir. Many Lakshmi murtis are painted with a red or pink sari and gold detailing, which differs from a plain white finish.