Well, this is a loaded question and will take many posts to answer completely.  Maybe Neel Bhai will fill in my gaps.  Briefly, Laxmi is one of the Hindu Goddesses.  She is the goddess of prosperity, health and many other things.  Laxmi had to incarnate into the cow (this is a story that I will have to post later to get the exact details otherwise someone will pick it to death and make me look totally stupid.  So, that is the reason Laxmi is associated with the cow (I do not mind being called this as cows in India and Nepal are not fat and overweight like the ones in America - it is an honor for me).

Also, in the Nepalis culture, when a woman marries, she goes to live with her husband's family.  When she arrives they have a red carpet layed out with flowers and offerings (abisheka if you will) to welcome her into their family.  They believe she comes in the form of Laxmi and that she will bring prosperity to their family.  IF, they treat her badly, it is very bad luck and will do the opposite:~) 

Americans are eating poor Laxmi to death and have totally mistreated her:~)  Cya later,

Cyndi aka Laxmi

Om Shri Maha Laxmi Deviya Namaha

P. S. One more thing before I forget..the woman when she enters the house of her groom has to tip over a copper bowl of rice with her foot, which spills the rice into the house - this brings in Laxmi.   Kinda interesting compared to our throwing the rice huh??