This flower was the Sacred Lotus of the Egyptians and the people of India have dedicated it to lakshmi, the goddess of health and prosperity.
"The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines"
T. H. Pardo de Tavera
The Mahakul Ahirs of Jashpur have three deities, whom they call Mahadeo or Siva, Sahadeo, one of the five Pandava brothers, and the goddess lakshmi.
"The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II"
R. V. Russell
They say that the buffalo is Mahadeo, the cow Sahadeo, and the rice lakshmi.
"The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II"
R. V. Russell