Mahalaxmi Vrat – महालक्ष्मी व्रत

This fast is observed from the Ashtami Tithi of Bhadrav Sud. It is observed for sixteen days. On this day, after bathing and washing hands, feet, and mouth sixteen times, take a thread with sixteen strands and place it in worship. After worshiping Mahalakshmi, first tie the rope to the right hand.

It is a story from ancient times, there lived a Brahmin in a village. That Brahmin used to worship Lord Vishnu every day according to the rules.

Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu gave him darshan and promised to grant him a boon according to his wish.

The Brahmin asked for the boon of Goddess Lakshmi residing in his house. On the Brahmin saying this, Lord Vishnu said that a woman comes to the temple every day and makes cow dung cakes here.

She is Goddess Lakshmi, you invite her to your house. By the feet of Goddess Lakshmi falling in your house, your house will be filled with wealth and grains.

Saying this, Lord Vishnu disappeared. Now from the next day morning, the Brahmin sat in front of the temple waiting for Goddess Lakshmi.

When he saw Lakshmi ji making cow dung cakes, he requested her to come to his house.

Hearing the Brahmin's words, Lakshmi ji understood that Vishnu ji had told this to the Brahmin. So she advised the Brahmin to observe the Mahalakshmi fast.

Lakshmi ji told the Brahmin that you should observe the Mahalakshmi fast for 16 days and your fast will be completed by worshiping the moon and offering Arghya on the last day of the fast.

The Brahmin also observed the fast as told by Mahalakshmi and Goddess Lakshmi also fulfilled his wish. From that day onwards, this fast is observed with devotion.