Diwali and Dhanteras Lakshmi Puja Samagri: Kodi Shells, Gomti Chakra, Laghu Nariyal and Kamal Gatta

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Quick answer: Beyond the idols and diyas, traditional Diwali Lakshmi puja often includes 11 Pili (yellow) Kodi shells, 11 Gomti Chakra, a Laghu or Ekakshi Nariyal, a Kamal Gatta mala for chanting, a Shree Yantra, and Bhimseni kapoor for aarti. After puja, the Kodi, Gomti Chakra and Laghu Nariyal are tied in a red cloth and kept in the locker or cash box for the year.

This checklist comes from Shreerudra, a pooja store in Roop Nagar, Delhi that has supplied Diwali puja items since 2000.

Lakshmi puja samagri checklist

Item	Why it is used	Shop
Pili (yellow) Kodi shells, 11	Kodi was once currency and is dear to Lakshmi	Pili Kodi
White or brown Kodi, 11	Used in some regional traditions	White Kodi, Brown Kodi
Gomti Chakra, 11	Lakshmi and protection	Gomti Chakra
Laghu Nariyal (Sriphal), 11	Small coconuts sacred to Lakshmi	Laghu Nariyal, Sriphal brown
Ekakshi Nariyal	Rare one-eyed coconut, considered very auspicious	Ekakshi Nariyal (pack of 2)
Kamal Gatta mala	Chanting Lakshmi mantras	Kamal Gatta mala
Shree Yantra	Installing Lakshmi's yantra on Diwali night	Sphatik Shree Yantra
Gunja seeds	Used in Lakshmi and Tantric puja	Red Gunja
Lakshmi Ganesh kit	Ready combo for the puja	Lakshmi Ganesh combo kit
Bhimseni kapoor	Aarti and purifying the space	Bhimseni kapoor 100 g
Cotton wicks	Diyas	Big cotton wicks
Kalawa / mauli	Tying on the wrist and kalash	Kalawa

A ready combo of red Gunja, Kamal Gatta, white Kodi and Gomti Chakra covers several of these in one pack.

Why Kodi (cowrie) shells?

Cowrie shells come from the sea, as did goddess Lakshmi during the Samudra Manthan. They were used as money in ancient India, which is why yellow Kodi in particular is offered to Lakshmi on Dhanteras and Diwali and then kept in the cash box. Yellow Kodi is also linked to Jupiter (Guru).

Gomti Chakra and Laghu Nariyal

Gomti Chakra resembles the Sudarshan Chakra and is said to attract wealth and protect it. Laghu Nariyal are tiny coconuts used as Sriphal ("Lakshmi's fruit"). The Ekakshi Nariyal, with only one "eye" instead of three, is rare and is worshipped as a form of Lakshmi herself.

How to use these items in Diwali puja

On Dhanteras, buy and clean the Kodi, Gomti Chakra and Laghu Nariyal.
On Diwali night, place them on a red cloth in front of Lakshmi and Ganesha with the Shree Yantra.
Apply haldi and kumkum, offer rice and flowers, and chant "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" 108 times on a Kamal Gatta mala.
Perform aarti with kapoor.
The next morning, tie the Kodi, Gomti Chakra and Laghu Nariyal in the red cloth and keep it in your locker, safe or cash counter until next Diwali.

Frequently asked questions

How many Kodi shells are used in Diwali puja?

Usually 11 or 21. Eleven is the most common number for home puja.

Which Kodi is used for Lakshmi puja, yellow or white?

Yellow (Pili) Kodi is the most common for Lakshmi. White Kodi is used in some regional traditions and also in astrology remedies for the Moon and Venus.