A mandir of unique divinity and grace is the Annapurna mandir, besides sacred Kashi Vishwanath mandir, this mandir is devoted to Devi Annapurna, the giver of food and nourishment. On the first floor of this mandir rests the magnificent golden idol of Mata Annapurna called as Swarn Annapurneshwari.
Every year the sanctum doors of this idol are opened for devotees traditionally for four days, now extended to five starting on Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, the day of Dhanteras. These couple of days are spent in devotion and festivities. Individuals from India and around the world visit here to attain blessings with the belief that the Devi bestows food, wealth and prosperity on her devotees, bringing abundance and happiness in their lives.
The mandir is special in its own way. Lord Shiva himself presents himself before the Devi in the guise of a beggar here, offering a silver begging bowl in humble devotion. This heavenly scene presents Mata Annapurna sitting on a golden lotus throne and Lord Shiva sculptor in radiant silver, standing before her with a begging bowl in his hand to seek her divine blessings in the form of food.
This strong picture has a profound message that even Lord Shiva, the Supreme Lord is in need of food provided by the Devi. It teaches us that food is the basis of life and the one who provides it is indeed the sustainer of the world.
To the left and right of Devi Annapurna sits Lakshmi, the Devi of prosperity and Bhudevi the Earth Devi. Both murtis are in gold. On ordinary days, daily worship is offered to another idol of Annapurna in the inner sanctum. But during these sacred days of Deepawali the golden idol is unveiled and countless devotees come to offer prayers, light lamps and seek her blessings.
It is believed that Devi Annapurna presence in Kashi is older than even that of Lord Vishwanath himself. When the construction of the present Kashi Vishwanath mandir began in 1775, the mandir of Annapurna was already standing nearby. References to the golden idol of the Devi are also found in ancient scriptures like the Bheeshma Purana and other sacred texts.
According to scriptures, during the reign of King Divodasa, Kashi once suffered a terrible famine. The people faced extreme hunger and hardship. To seek relief, a noble Brahmin named Dhananjaya began deep meditation and penance in honour of Devi Annapurna. For many years he prayed with pure devotion but the Devi did not appear. Heartbroken, he decided to give up his life and jumped into a pond in despair.
Moved by his selfless devotion, Mata Annapurna appeared before him in her golden form radiant with divine light. She blessed the Brahmin, ended the famine and promised to remain in Kashi forever, ensuring that no one in this sacred city would ever go hungry again. She has been worshipped as the eternal provider of food and nourishment since then.
According to Mahant Shankar Puri, the worship of the golden idol has continued for centuries. Records show that during the time of Mahant Keshav Puri in 1601, regular offerings and rituals were performed to this very idol. The tradition continues unbroken to this day especially during the Deepawali season, when the mandir becomes a center of divine energy and faith.
Devi Annapurna and the Deepawali Festival
Although Deepawali is known as the festival of lights and is often associated with Devi Lakshmi, the bringer of wealth in Kashi. On Dhanteras, the opening day of Deepawali when the doors of murti are opened, it is said that the flow of abundance and nourishment blessings start. In Kashi, Deepawali does not mean lighting lamps or inviting wealth, it also means embracing the mother who nourishes the world so that no one remains hungry while sleeping.
Worshippers celebrate Annapurna Puja by providing cooked food, grains, fruits and sweets to the Devi. The belief is that by feeding others human beings, animals or whoever is needy one gets the blessings of prosperity, good health and peace from Annapurna.
The sharing of food or Annadan, is the ultimate charity in Hindu faith. It is stated in the scriptures that no other gift can compare to the offering of food, for it supports the very source of life itself. Thus worshipping Annapurna during Deepawali is a reminder to everyone that real wealth is not just what we possess but also what we give and share with others.
Several followers also chant the Annapurna Stotra, written by Adi Shankaracharya, which refers to the Devi as the abiding fountain of plenitude and grace:
annapūrṇe sadāpūrṇe, śaṃkara prāṇavallabhe
jñāna vairāgya sidhyarthaṃ, bhikṣāṃ dehica pārvati.
O Mother Annapoorna, You who are always full (with the gift of Food and Blessings), You who are the beloved of Shankara (Shiva),
O Mother Parvati, Please grant me the alms of your Grace, to awaken within me Spiritual Knowledge (Jnana) and detachment, freedom from all worldly desires (Vairagya)
These lines remind believers that sustenance is not just bodily but also spiritual. Just as the body is nourished by food, so the soul is nourished by divine wisdom.
A Mandir of Compassion and Fulfillment
Even now, when lamps are lit in every part of India on Deepawali, thousands of devotees fill the Annapurna mandir in Kashi. The light from hundreds of lamps, the sweet fragrance of incense and the recitation of mantras infuse an environment of unadulterated devotion. The mandir is a living embodiment of divine benevolence, where the Devi still showers her blessings and feeds every soul that approaches her.
For over four centuries, this mandir has stood witness to the fact that the act of feeding others is the greatest of all responsibilities. Mata Annapurna reminds us that food is not a mere requirement it is divine grace, a bond between the giver and receiver.
As the Devi golden idol glows on Deepawali, it casts not just light but a timelessness that true prosperity is in generosity, sharing and removing every living creature’s hunger is highest of its kind.
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