Temple

Situated at Dashashwamedh road, Vishwanath gali and close to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Annapurna temple is a famous temple dedicated to the Annapoorna Mata, the Goddess of Food or the Goddess of Nourishment, Goddess Parvati. Constructed in the 18th century by Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao, the temple has a golden idol of the Annapurna Mata.

Legend

According to the legends, Once Goddess Parvati became very angry when Lord Shiva told her that the entire world is an illusion (Maya) and food is also a part of that Maya. Goddess Parvati vanished all things from the world to show the importance of all the material to Lord Shiva. Due to this earth became infertile and everyone suffered from hunger. Seeing the suffering of everyone, Parvati made a kitchen in Varanasi and offered food to everyone. Even Lord Shiva came to meet her and told Mata that he understand that everything cannot be seen as an illusion. Goddess Parvati became happy and offered food to Lord Shiva with her own hands. As Goddess Parvati, fed the whole world, people started worshipping her as Annapurna. According to another legend, once Goddess Parvati closed all the eyes (three eyes: Sun, Moon and Fire) of Shiva and the world was filled with darkness. Due to this, Goddess Parvati lost her Gauri Rupa and became dark. Lord Shiva asked Goddess Parvati to give Annadan in Kashi in order to get the Gauri Rupa. Taking her Annapurna Rupa with a golden pot and ladle, Goddess Parvati did the Annadan and she got her Gauri Rupa back.

Architecture

Constructed in Nagara architecture, Annapurna Devi Mandir has a sanctum with large pillared porch which houses picture of image of Goddess Annapurna Devi. The temple houses two idols of Goddess Annapurna Devi; one made of gold and other of brass. The brass idol is available for daily darsana whereas the darsana of gold idol can only be done once a year, the day before Diwali (Annakut day). The temple is a square with a number of graduated projections in the middle of each side giving a cruciform shape with a number of re-entrant angles on each side.

Darsan Info

The temple is open from 04:00 AM to 11:30 AM and from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Wear neat and good clothes and avoid shorts for men

Famous Festival

Annacoot festival

Culture

Varanasi is one of the famous pilgrim place in India. In this place you can see Kashi Viswanath Temple. It's one of the Jyothirlingam of Lord Parama Shiva, Annapurna Devi and you can see the goddess Parvathi Sakthi Peeta of Sri Kashi Visalakshi, the goddess Sati Devi organ wrist has fell down in this area. People believes that Lord Parama Shiva has lived in this Varanasi. There are nearly 300 ghats in this location. Varanasi (Kashi, Banaras) has also been a great center of learning for ages. The city is very famous for Banaras Sarees. Among the mukthi sthal of Kashi, it is considered the holiest place due to the combination of Lord Parama shiva, Goddesses Annapoorna Devi, Kashi Visalkshi and River Ganga. In Hindu tradition, people strongly believes that whoever give up their life in Kashi attains Moksha.

Temple Rituals

The place of worship is open from 04:00 Am to 11:00 PM. Aarti's are conducted early morning 04:00 AM, 12:00 PM,  08:30 PM & at 11:00 PM. There is annadanam daily at the temple premises in the afternoon where devotees can get free food

Special Rituals

Annacoot festival is celebrated every year after Diwali. On the occasion of Annacoot festival, coins are distributed to all the devotees. It is considered that whoever will worship this coin, will be blessed by the Annapurna Mata for his or her successful and prosperous life.

Additional Info