As the Devas & the Asuras churned the mighty ocean Kshirasagara, from its depths emerged a beautiful Goddess, holding a lotus. Courted by both the Devas and the Asuras, she chose Lord Vishnu as her consort and is worshipped today as Goddess Lakshmi, Sridevi, or Kamala.

According to the Garuda Purana, Goddess Lakshmi is the daughter of Sage Bhrigu and his wife Khyati. Hence, she is also known as Bhargavi.

Goddess Lakshmi has many avatars – Sita, Radha, Rukmini, Saytabhama, Revati, Padmavati, Vedavati, Bhumi, Nila Devi, Tulsi, Andal, Kalindi, Lakshmana, Mitravinda, & Nagnajiti.

She is worshiped as Ashtalakshmi (eight manifestations)  – Adi Lakshmi (Primordial), Dhanya Lakshmi (Abundance of food),Veera Lakshmi (courage), Gaja Lakshmi (Fertility & Abundance), Santana Lakshmi (Progeny), Vidya Lakshmi (Knowledge), Vijaya Lakshmi (Victory) and Dhana Lakshmi (Prosperity).

She is also worshipped in Buddhism & Jainism - as Vasudhara in Nepal & Tibet, the wrathful avatar Palden Lhamo in Tibet, Dewi Sri in Indonesia, Kishijoten in Japan, and  Gōngdétiān in Chinese Buddhism.

The earliest mention of Goddess Lakshmi is in the Rig Veda -

भद्रैषां लक्ष्मीर्निहिताधि वाचि (bhadraiṣāṁ lakṣmīrnihitādhi vāci) which means, "an auspicious fortune is attached to their words"

Goddess Lakshmi is also mentioned in the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Ramayana & the Mahabharata, the Puranas, and other texts.

Ancient kingdoms in India & Afghanistan such as the Kushana empire in 2^nd BCE, the Indo-Scythian king Azaliza of Gandhara from 57 BCE and others, had coins featuring Goddess Lakshmi.

Many ancient sculptures over 2000 years old, found across India, depict the Goddess. She is often represented seated on a lotus (a symbol of purity), with elephants on either side, &  symbols of abundance such as fruits & flowers. Her open hands shower blessings & wealth, both spiritual & material.

Varamahalakshmi Pooja is celebrated in August in honour of Goddess Lakshmi.

It is said that once, the Goddess appeared in the dream of Charumati, a fervent devotee. She asked Charumati to worship Her in her form as Varalakshmi, the Giver of Boons. Along with Charumati, the women of the village performed a pooja, a traditional prayer, and this custom is continued by women today. Another legend tells us that Goddess Parvati performed a vratha (fast) & pooja to Goddess Lakshmi, in order to marry Lord Shiva.

On this day, women perform a traditional pooja ceremony to pray for the well-being of their husbands and families. A kalasam (pot) representing the Goddess is decked up in a sari, flowers & gold. Fruits and flowers, bangles and other offerings are given to the Goddess Lakshmi.

On the auspicious day of Varamahalakshmi Pooja, may the Goddess bless the world with good fortune & prosperity!

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References & Credits 

1. Text & Images from Wiki Commons

2. Goddess Lakshmi,Raja Ravi Varma

3. Goddess Lakshmi emerging from the ocean

4. Ashtabharya; Javagal Narasimhayya

5. Goddess Lakshmi, Shravanabelagola; Vibhorjain

6. Vasudhara, Nepal & Tibet; Daderot

7. Phalden Lamo, Tibet; Met Museum Collection

8. Dewi Sri, Indonesia; Gunawan Kartapranata

9. Kishijoten, Japan; Mitsumura Art Publishing Co.

10. Vikramaditya Chandragupta II coin; Uploadalt

11. Varamahalakshmi Pooja; Saketh Reddy