The Annapurna Devi Mandir, located near the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, is dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, the giver of food and nourishment. The name Annapurna comes from two Sanskrit words: anna (food or grain) and purna (complete or full).
Annapurna is an incarnation of Parvati, the consort of Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, when Shiva declared the material world an illusion and dismissed the importance of food, the goddess withdrew nourishment from the universe to demonstrate its necessity. It’s only when Shiva acknowledged the role of sustenance in attaining spiritual wisdom did she reappear as Annapurna, holding a golden pot of rice, symbolizing that even spiritual realization requires the body to be sustained.
The temple enshrines a striking image of the goddess with a ladle in one hand and a vessel of food in the other, signifying her readiness to feed all beings. It is believed that no devotee who seeks her blessings will ever face hunger. The temple also reinforces the city’s identity as Annapurna Kshetra, a land of inexhaustible nourishment. Pilgrims often visit Annapurna Devi Mandir after offering prayers at Kashi Vishwanath, highlighting the link between spiritual knowledge and material well-being.
One of the most important festivals celebrated here is Annakut, held the day after Diwali, when a grand variety of food is offered to the goddess and later distributed as prasad. Other rituals include daily worship, offerings of cooked rice, and the recitation of the Annapurna Stotra, a hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya.
Picture Credits: Satyam Chaurasia
