Lakshmi (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मी lakṣmī, Hindi pronunciation: [ˈləkʃmi]) is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), fortune, and the embodiment of beauty. 

Among the other different deities, Lakshmi is One of the gods worshiped in India.

She is wife of Vishnu. Also known as Mahalakshmi, she is said to bring good luck and is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.

Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments.

Lakshmi is worshipped daily in Hindu homes and commercial establishments as the goddess of wealth. She is also worshipped as the consort of Vishnu in many temples. 

The festivals of Diwali and Kojagiri Purnima are celebrated in her honour.

Such acts of worshiping many gods or deities were forbidden in the Hebrew culture (Religion of Judaism) due to their rituals practices which could invoke the human body and nature with various energies which can stimulate and stir up the negative animalistic or immoral traits in the human soul.

Article taken from wikipedia.org