Margasira Lakshmi Vrat Celebrations, Customs and Rituals of Manabasa Gurubar Brat, Margashira Guruvar Vrat
Godess lakshmi is worshiped on every Thursday of the hindu lunar month of Margashira. Women Observe a Vrat called Manabasa Gurubar Vrat. During the Vrat day, Women wake up early in the morning and clean the house. They believe that Goddess lakshmi visit clean houses only. At the entrance they draw alpana called chita to welcome Godess Lakshmi.
They also decorate a pot, made of bamboo cane used in the earlier days for measuring paddy (called Mana) and they fill it with a newly harvested paddy. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits every house during the Puja. They offer shodashopachara puja to Godess lakshmi. This is performed for all Thursdays in the Margasira month.
On the occasion of Manabasa Gurubar Vrat different types of food items are prepared like Manda Pitha, Khiri, Kakara, Chitau etc. On this day all Oriya women read Maha Lakhmi Puran.
