Annapurna Devi Mandir

Annapurna Devi Mandir
Pictorial depiction of Goddess Annapurna Devi offering food to Lord Shiva
Annapurna Devi Mandir Temple location on Varanasi district map
Name
Devanagari	अन्नपूर्णा देवी मंदिर
Tamil	அன்னபூர்ணா தேவி மந்திர்
Marathi	अन्नपूर्णा देवी मंदिर
Bengali	অন্নপূর্ণা দেবী মন্দির
Geography
Coordinates
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District	Varanasi
Location	Visheshwarganj, Varanasi
Elevation	80.985 m (266 ft)
Culture
Consort	Annapurna Devi
Important festivals	Annakut
Architecture
Architectural styles	Nagara architecture
Number of temples	One
Number of monuments	Two (main)
History and governance
Date built	1729
Creator	Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao

Annapurna Devi Mandir (Hindi: अन्नपूर्णा देवी मंदिर), (a.k.a Annapurna Mata Mandir and Annapurna Mandir), is one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to the goddess Annapurna Devi. Annapurna Devi is a Hindu goddess for nourishment and is a form of Goddess Parvati. Annapurna Mandir was constructed in 18th century by Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao.

History

Annapurna Devi Mandir was constructed in 1729 AD by Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao.

Construction

Annapurna Devi Mandir is constructed in Nagara architecture and has 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 darśana whereas darśana of the gold idol can only be done once a year; day before Diwali (Annakut day).

Religious belief

According to Puranic Hinduism, Mahagauri is the eighth form of Goddess Durga and she was white in colour and very beautiful. (Maha,महा = great, extreme; Gauri गौरी = white colour). She wears white clothes and rides a white bull. In Hindu mythology, there are two popular beliefs behind the origin of this temple.

Mahagauri losing her Gauri Rupa

According to one belief, once Mata Parvati closed all three eyes of Lord Shiva. Due to this, condition of dissolution (pralaya) arose since entire world was under darkness. Mata Parvati too lost her Gauri Rupa (white color) and asked Lord Shiva for his help in attaining the Gauri Rupa again. She was asked by Lord Shiva to donate anna (food) in Kashi. She hence came in form of Annapurna Devi Rupa with a golden pot and ladle and made anna daan in Varanasi. Mata Parvati hence attained the Gauri Rupa again.

Maya (illusion)

According to another belief, once Mata Parvati (who also is Goddess of food) got very angry when Lord Shiva told her that the entire world (including food) is maya. In order to demonstrate the importance of food to Lord Shiva, she made all the food on earth disappear. Entire world started to suffer due hunger. Lord Shiva finally came to Mata Parvati and acknowledged the importance of food. Mata Parvati became happy, offered food by her own hands to Lord Shiva and then made a kitchen in Varanasi for her devotees.

Location

Annapurna Devi Mandir is situated in Visheshwarganj, Varanasi. It is situated 15 meters North-West of the famous Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, 350 meters West of Manikarnika Ghat, 5 kilometers South-East of Varanasi Junction railway station and 4.5 kilometers North-East of Banaras Hindu University.

See also

• Hindu temples in Varanasi