Bhubaneswar: In Odisha, every Thursday of Margashira month is a festival. Manabasa Gurubara is a festival celebrated by Hindus in Odisha.
In this festival, Goddess Lakshmi is the presiding deity. It is believed by the people that the goddess Herself comes to every household and removes pain and sorrow. It is held on every Gurubara (Thursday) in the month of Margasira or Magusura (The 8th month of Odia calendar, which is in November-December).
It is believed that the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Devi Lakshmi visit homes in this month.
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.
This is observed for the prosperity of the family and the long life of the family members. This is an important festival as it is the harvest season when the grain is thrashed and stored. The harvest of the Kharif season is worshipped as goddess Lakshmi on these Thursdays.
As per mythology Manabasa Gurubar is based on the ancient scripture Laxmi Puran. In ancient time, the untouchables were not allowed to pray, worship and do rituals to Bhagwan in the ancient ages. But Shriya, a scavenger low caste woman, dared to pray and worship and appease the Mata, who then visits her.
This act, however, angers Balaram, the elder brother of bhagwan Jagannath, and she is turned out of Jagannath Temple, Puri, at his behest.
The Mata is shown the door for ending discrimination on earth by encouraging even untouchables to conduct rituals and worship. While leaving the temple, she curses her husband and elder brother-in-law saying that they would have to go through a prolonged ordeal without food, water or shelter. The curse of Laxmi has a severe impact on both the brothers for 12 years and they had a tough time. Soon they realise her importance and Laxmi agrees to return but on one condition that there will be no discrimination of caste and creed on earth.
