Laxmi Charan & Silver Fish: Their Significance for Diwali and Dhanteras
As Diwali approaches, homes across Melbourne and the world are cleaned, decorated with rangoli and lit with rows of diyas to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Alongside the lamps and sweets, two small silver pieces have a special place in many family pujas: the Laxmi Charan (the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi) and the silver fish. Here is what each one means, how families traditionally use them, and why silver is the metal of choice at Dhanteras and Diwali.
Laxmi Charan: the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi
Laxmi Charan, also called Charan Paduka, are a pair of small footprints that represent the feet of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity and good fortune. On Diwali night it is believed that Lakshmi visits homes that are clean, bright and welcoming. Her footprints are a way of inviting her in and asking her to stay.
How Laxmi Charan are traditionally used
- At the entrance, stepping inward. Many families place the footprints at the main door or draw a path of footprints from the doorway to the mandir, always pointing into the home, so that prosperity walks in rather than out.
- In the puja room. A silver pair is placed on the altar or puja thali beside the Lakshmi idol and worshipped with kumkum, haldi, rice and flowers during Lakshmi Puja.
- All year round. After Diwali, many keep the silver Charan in the mandir, locker or cash box as a reminder of Lakshmi's blessings.
Our silver Laxmi Charan are engraved with traditional auspicious symbols such as the lotus, conch (shankh), swastik and kalash, each associated with purity, divinity and abundance.
Shop the Silver Laxmi Charan Paduka Pair | Shop Lakshmi Vishnu Charan Paduka (4 sizes)
Silver fish (Matsya): a symbol of abundance and good fortune
The fish has been an auspicious symbol in Indian tradition for thousands of years. In Hinduism it recalls Matsya, the first avatar of Lord Vishnu, who is said to have saved the world and the sacred Vedas from a great flood. Because Lakshmi is Vishnu's consort, the fish is also closely linked with prosperity and protection of the household.
A pair of fish is one of the Ashtamangala, the eight auspicious symbols, where it stands for happiness, fertility and abundance. Fish move freely and multiply, so they have long been seen as a sign of wealth that keeps flowing.
How silver fish are traditionally used
- Placed on the puja thali or altar during Dhanteras and Lakshmi Puja.
- Kept in the cash box, locker, wallet or tijori to welcome prosperity.
- Given as an auspicious gift for Diwali, housewarmings, weddings and new business openings.
Shop the Silver Fish Pair | Shop the Silver Fish on Decorative Base
Why silver at Dhanteras and Diwali?
Dhanteras, the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, is traditionally considered one of the most auspicious days of the year to buy precious metals. Bringing home silver, whether a coin, a diya or a small puja piece, is believed to invite Lakshmi's blessings for the year ahead. Silver is also valued for its purity and its bright, moon-like shine, which is why it has long been the metal of choice for puja items that are used, polished and passed down through generations.
Looking for more ideas? Read our guide to auspicious silver items for Dhanteras & Diwali puja, including turtles, yantras and Kuber.
A silver Laxmi Charan and a pair of silver fish together make a meaningful, lasting Diwali gift: one welcomes Lakshmi into the home, and the other keeps abundance flowing.
Caring for your silver puja items
- Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after puja to remove kumkum, haldi and oil.
- Polish with a silver cloth to restore the shine. Avoid harsh chemicals.
- Store in a dry pouch or box, away from moisture and perfume, to slow tarnishing.
Shop silver puja items at 925 Hub
Explore our handcrafted silver Laxmi Charan, silver fish, diyas, yantras and Lakshmi Ganesha silver coins for your Diwali puja. Enjoy free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $98, or pick up from our store at Wales Corner, 227 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Shubh Deepavali from all of us at 925 Hub. May Goddess Lakshmi bless your home with light, health and prosperity.