Annapurna

How to recognise Annapurna

1. Golden ladleHeld in her right hand, this jewelled serving spoon belongs to her kitchen and is a sign of generous feeding, not a weapon.
2. Bowl of foodIn her left hand she holds a jewelled bowl or pot brimming with rice or sweet kheer, showing that she never lets her children go hungry.
3. ThroneShe sits enthroned, as in the golden image at Kashi, as the queen of the city who feeds all beings.
4. Crown and crescent moonA jewelled crown with the crescent moon on her head marks her as Parvati, the consort of Shiva, in her royal form.
5. Third eyeA small, gentle mark on her forehead shows that she is a form of the Great Goddess.
6. Golden-red complexionThe Agamas describe a red complexion and a face round like the full moon, and Shankara's hymn calls her golden-complexioned.
7. Shiva with a begging bowlShiva is often shown beside her, smaller in scale, receiving food from her hands, which is the heart of her story.

Names and titles

• Annada, Giver of FoodAnnada ('giver of food') is one of her names, alongside Annapurneshwari
• Queen of KashiShe is honoured as the queen and ruling goddess of the city of Kashi (Varanasi)
• The Kitchen in KashiAfter Parvati withdrew and the world went hungry, she opened a kitchen in Kashi where all were fed
• Fed Shiva with Her Own HandsWhen Shiva came to her door with his begging bowl, she smiled and served him herself
• Mother of the Three WorldsKashi's Annapurna is called the goddess of all three worlds and a mother who gives food freely

Feast days

• Dhanteras6 November 2026

  Dhanteras opens the Diwali season. At the Annapurna temple in Kashi (Varanasi), it is when the golden image of the goddess is opened for darshan. Devotees can see this image only around Diwali.

  How it's celebrated. Devotees queue to see the golden Annapurna, shown with Bhu Devi and Sri Devi in the temple's upper level. Some sources say the image can be seen from Dhanteras to Annakut. Others say only on Annakut itself. Coins and grain are given out as her blessing. This is the same observance as the 2027 Dhanteras entry.

  Sources: Varanasi Guru: Annapurna Temple · Maa Annapurna Mandir (Sri Mandir) · Wikipedia: Annapurna Devi Mandir

• Annakut at the Kashi Annapurna temple10 November 2026

  Annakut, the day after Diwali, honours Annapurna as the giver of food. At Kashi's Annapurna temple it is the high point of the year, when the golden image is seen by crowds of devotees.

  How it's celebrated. Large crowds come to the temple beside Kashi Vishwanath. Coins and grain are handed out as her blessing, and devotees believe those who keep them will not lack for money or food. One source says over sixty dishes, mostly rice, are prepared and shared. This is the same celebration as the 2027 Annakut entry.

  Sources: Varanasi Guru: Annapurna Temple · Maa Annapurna Mandir (Sri Mandir) · Utsav: Kashi Annapurna Temple

• Annapurna Jayanti23 December 2026

  Annapurna Jayanti marks the appearance of Annapurna, a form of Parvati revered as the goddess of food and nourishment. It falls on the full moon of Margashirsha (Agrahayana). This is the same celebration as the 2027 entry.

  How it's celebrated. Devotees fast, and in many homes women lead the worship. A small shrine is set up with an image of the goddess, and she is offered food, bathed in Annabhishekam and honoured with the Annapurna Ashtakam. Feeding the poor is common, and Varanasi's temples hold special celebrations. Some sources say Bengal keeps her day in Chaitra instead.

  Sources: Prokerala: Annapurna Jayanti · 99Pandit: Annapurna Jayanti · Wikipedia: Agrahayana

• Annapurna Puja14 April 2027

  Annapurna Puja is the worship of the goddess of food during spring (Chaitra) Navaratri, here on its eighth day, Ashtami. In eastern India it forms part of Basanti Puja, the spring form of Durga Puja.

  How it's celebrated. It is observed especially in West Bengal. Basanti Puja is described as simpler than the autumn Durga Puja. Some traditional community pujas and old families still keep its main rites, and in some regions people fast on Ashtami and Navami. Annapurna Puja is named as an important part of the period. Sources I found do not all name the exact day.

  Sources: Hindupad: Annapurna Puja · Hindu Blog: Basanti Puja · Pristine Magazine: Basanti Puja