Coriander, Diwali & Lakshmi Puja: The Fragrant Seed of Fortune

When Diwali nights arrive, the sky blooms with lamps, the courtyards gleam with rangoli, and every household hums with the sound of devotion. But beyond the golden diyas and sweet offerings lies a tiny, fragrant seed that has quietly woven itself into the tapestry of Diwali traditions — coriander. Known as dhania in every Indian kitchen, these little seeds hold a place of both taste and treasure, spirit and symbolism.

The Folk Whisper of Coriander & Wealth

In old Indian households, elders would often say, “Dhania ke beej, dhan ki neev” — coriander seeds are the foundation of wealth. This wasn’t merely about spice jars, but about a deeper faith. The word “dhania” itself springs from “dhan”, meaning wealth. It was believed that keeping coriander seeds in the home, especially during Diwali, invites Goddess Lakshmi — the harbinger of prosperity. Farmers, traders, and homemakers alike would save a fistful of coriander seeds on the night of Lakshmi Puja, praying that as these seeds multiplied in the earth, so too would fortune multiply in their homes.

In many regions, after the grand aarti of Goddess Lakshmi, coriander seeds mixed with jaggery are offered as prasad. The seeds are not chosen by chance; they carry the fragrance of freshness, the promise of fertility, and the symbol of continuity. Just as one coriander seed gives birth to many, devotees believe Goddess Lakshmi blesses them with abundance when her offering includes this humble spice.

The ritual is simple yet steeped in layers of meaning: coriander is placed in the puja thali, sprinkled upon idols, and later sown in the family field or garden as a prayer for thriving crops and thriving fortune. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, families even keep coriander seeds with silver coins in their treasury boxes after Lakshmi Puja — a gesture that marries spice, soil, and spirit with wealth.

Beyond its ritual role, coriander makes its presence felt in the festive kitchen. No Diwali feast feels whole without its sprinkle — the fresh leaves garnishing hot pakoras, the roasted seeds flavoring gravies, the dhania-jaggery laddoos melting on tongues. The spice bridges devotion and delight, reminding us that prosperity is not only in coins but also in nourishment, taste, and health.

While folklore celebrates coriander for wealth, science too recognizes its gifts. Coriander seeds are rich in antioxidants, digestive compounds, and natural oils that soothe the stomach after festive indulgences. The ancients may not have called it “detox,” but their wisdom ensured that a pinch of roasted coriander in curries kept the body as balanced as the soul. Thus, the seed becomes a bridge — between faith and health, devotion and digestion.

Why Coriander Belongs to Diwali

Coriander is not just a kitchen staple; it is a keeper of traditions. On Diwali night, when lamps shimmer and prayers rise, coriander becomes more than a spice — it becomes a seed of hope, wealth, and continuity. Every sprinkle on festive food, every offering in Lakshmi Puja, carries the promise that life, like coriander, will bloom in abundance when tended with devotion.

So this Diwali, when you light the lamps and bow to Goddess Lakshmi, spare a thought for the humble dhania. For in its earthy fragrance lies the echo of old prayers, and in its tiny seed lies the story of prosperity — the very heart of Diwali.