Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped by women and girls in Orissa on every Thursday of the month of Margasira (November – December) and this is known as Manabasa Gurubar. Margasira or Margasir is the ninth month in Oriya calendar. Mahalakshmi, or Laxmi, is the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity and is believed to visit homes in Margasira month. In 2015, Manabasa Gurubar dates are November 26, December 3, December 10, and December 17.
On the morning of Manabasa Gurubar, Oriya women wake up early in the morning and clean the house to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. There is a popular belief that Goddess Lakshmi only visits clean houses. So all the dirt is removed and the houses are kept spick and span.
The entrance to the home is decorated with Alpana. Special pujas are offered to Lakshmi and Oriya scripture Mahalakshmi Purana is read on all Thursdays.
A regional pot used to measure paddy is filled with freshly harvested paddy and is kept in the puja area, which symbolizes prosperity.
Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Jagannath and she is worshipped as an independent deity in many regions of Orissa. Gajalakshmi Puja is another popular ritual dedicated to Goddess Laxmi in Orissa.