Annapurna Temple | Architecture, Timings & Address

Annapurna Temple had located near Dashaswamedha Road, Vishwanath Gali and Kashi Vishwanatha Temple in Varanasi. The Annapurna Temple Varanasi timings are from 04:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Annapurna Temple Varanasi

Annapurna Temple

The Annapurna Temple had dedicated to Annapurna or Annapurna Mata, the goddess of food or nourishment (anna meaning food and purna meaning whole or complete), Mata Parvati. In the Annapurna temple, there was a golden idol of Annapurna Mata. 

Annapurna temple had crowded with devotees during Annakoot. Annakoot festival had celebrated in India every year after Diwali. Coins had distributed to all the devotees on the occasion of Annakutami. 

Whoever worships this coin had believed to be blessed by Annapurna Mata for their successful and prosperous life. Annapurna Mata is the city deity of Varanasi who always protects Kashi and gives alms to her devotees.

History of Annapurna Temple Varanasi

Once, Lord Shiva told Goddess Parvati that this whole world is an illusion and food is part of what is called ‘Maya’. The goddess of food (Mata Parvati) was so angry that she had to show the importance of all substances, so she made them disappear. 

With no food from the land, the land became barren, and everyone suffered from severe hunger. Seeing his devotees suffering from severe hunger, she had to reappear in the world. She then built a kitchen in the holy city of Varanasi. 

I understood that even Lord Shiva came to her and could never send that material away as an illusion. Mother Parvati was very happy and fed Lord Shiva with her hands. Since then, Mata Parvati has been worshipped as Annapurna, Goddess of Food.

Another Myth about Annapurna Devi

Another legend about Annapurna Temple is that the world had filled with darkness once Mata Parvati closed all the eyes of Lord Shiva (three eyes: Sun, Moon and Fire). There was a ‘Pralaya’ situation, and even Mother Parvati’s complexion became dark (meaning she lost her Gauri form). 

She was very sad and asked Lord Shiva how she could regain the form of Gauri. Lord Shiva told her to give Annadanam in Kashi. Mata Parvati took her Annapurna form with a golden pot and spoon and offered Annadanam in Varanasi. Again she assumed the form of Gauri. 

Her devotees believed in performing Annapurna Puja by offering Annadanam in Kashi. Goddess Parvati has various names worshipped by her devotees all over the world. Annapurna Shatanama Stotra contains 108 names, and Annapurna Sahasranama gives a thousand names of Annapurna Mata.

It had believed that she only ate a single bite once she served food to her devotees in the temple. Annapurna Vrata Katha has various stories and helps her devotees escape their problems. The Annapurna Temple in Varanasi is adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple. 

Annapurna Mata is considered the queen of Kashi, and Shiva is the king of Kashi. At Annapurna Mata Temple, food is offered as ‘Prasad’ to all the people older than 70, disabled and other devotees daily at noon.

Architecture of the Annapurna Temple

Adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, Amma holds a golden spoon in one hand and a bejewelled rice bowl in the other; Annapurna is considered the deity of food and nourishment. Annapurna (Anna means food, and Poorna means whole or complete) only lets her devotees go with food. 

Lord Vishwanatha is also depicted as a seeker in front of her, holding a trident in one hand and a bowl in the other. The Annapurna Devi Mandir was built in 1729 A.D by the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao in the city architecture and had an idol of Annapurna Devi in the large pillared sanctum sanctorum. 

The temple has two idols of the goddess, one in brass, which is available for daily darshan, and the other in gold, which can see only once a year.

Temple had built in panchayat style with shrines of Ganesha, Kubera, Surya, Yantreshwar Mahadev, Satyanarayana and Hanuman. The temple gathers large crowds yearly during Annakoot, a day after Diwali and Navratri in October & April.

It had located on the temple complex’s first floor, and this temple has a golden image of Annapurna Devi along with Bhudevi & Sri Devi. Darshan of this image is available only during the Diwali festival (Dhanteras to Annakoot) every year.

Timings in Annapurna Temple

  • Annapurna Temple Opening Hours: 4:00 am to 11:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
  • Aarti Time: 4.00 am   
DaysMorning TimingsEvening Timings
Monday4:00 am to 11:30 pm7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Tuesday4:00 am to 11:30 pm7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Wednesday4:00 am to 11:30 pm7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Thursday4:00 am to 11:30 pm7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Friday4:00 am to 11:30 pm7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Saturday4:00 am to 11:30 pm7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Sunday4:00 am to 11:30 pm7:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Places to Visit in Varanasi

Hotels near Annapurna Temple Varanasi

  • Srishti Shelter
  • Taj Ganges, Varanasi
  • Taj Nadesar Palace
  • Hotel Yash Residency Assi Ghat & Bhu
  • Family Guest House
  • BrijRama Palace

Address of Annapurna Temple

Annapurna Math Mandir D 9, 1, Vishwanath Galli, Godowlia, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001

How to reach Annapurna Temple?

By Road: 

Varanasi had well connected with all parts of India by a maze of roads – national and state highways. Major cities of India like Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Patna, Gaya, Kolkata, Allahabad, and Lucknow are connected with Varanasi by road.

By Rail: 

Varanasi is a major railway station of Indian Railways, with many trains running between most Indian destinations.

By Air:

Varanasi has an airport that operates daily flights to and from major Indian cities. From Delhi to Benares, there is a regular flight via Khajuraho, another major tourist destination of North India. International flights also land at and depart from Varanasi.

By Boat & Ship: 

Adventure seekers opt for ship travel from Kolkata to reach Varanasi, wading through Ganga. People from Mirzapur & Sonebhdra many times ride a boat to reach Benares.

FAQs

What is Annapurna Devi’s dress code?

The preferred dress code for women is a saree or half saree with a blouse or pyjama and chudidhar with a top cloth.

Where is the only Annapurna temple in India?

Annapurna Temple is located at Kranti Kriplani Nagar, Indore, easily accessible by any means of transport in Indore city.

What is the story of Kashi Annapurna Devi?

Seated on her throne, she fed and distributed food to the starving gods and the hungry inhabitants of the earth. Annapurna gave her food as alms to Shiva and made him realize that as a Brahmin, Shiva could overcome hunger, But not his followers.

What are the benefits of Annapurna Puja?

Benefits of Annapurna Ma Puja – She blesses children with nourishment. – Accomplishing perfection in knowledge and renunciation. – For food, wealth, health and children.