ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
The Origins And Myths Of Goddess Annapurna
Annapurna, or Annapurneshwari, is the goddess of food and nourishment. Her name “Anna” means food, and “Purna” means complete or full. So, she is one who is filled with food. In some books, she is considered a goddess of spiritual perfection and the opener of the doors of moksha.
Annapurna is the manifestation of the goddess Parvati. She is known by other names such as Visalakshi (one who has large eyes), Bhuvanesvari (goddess of earth), Annada (donor of food), or Renu (goddess of the atom).
She is also considered as a source of knowledge, similar to the goddess Saraswati. Annapurna, a dangerous and magnificent mountain range in Nepal, is named after the goddess.
Annapurna Origins
The goddess is said to be one of the daughters of King Himavat (the king of the Himalayas). In this sense too, she is known as the manifestation of the goddess Parvati.
According to another legend, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati once had a disagreement. They were arguing about the material world. Lord Shiva was saying that everything in the world was materialistic, including food. On the contrary, goddess Parvati was arguing that materialistic things have their importance too.
But Lord Shiva kept saying that everything is an illusion. Infuriated Parvati did a miracle, and the world was out of food. After this, Parvati disappeared. There was famine all around. Even the gods and goddesses were out of food.
Lord Shiva, too, was unable to provide food for his children. So, he went out begging for food and reached the city of Varanasi. There he reached a kitchen, from which the goddess Parvati emerged as Annapurna. She offered food to Lord Shiva. Finally, Lord Shiva and others realized their error that without Shakti, they are nothing. He called Varanasi the “Kitchen of the Earth.” Then to honor her, Lord Shiva built a temple in Varanasi, which is today known as Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Even today, food is provided free of cost to the poor, the elderly, and the differently abled in this holy city.
Representation
Annapurna is depicted as a youthful goddess. As a result, her face is shown round, with high breasts and has a red complexion. She has three eyes and four hands. Her lower left hand contains a vessel full of porridge. The right hand has a golden ladle adorned with jewelry.
The other two hands are shown in the mudras abhaya (fearless) and varada (boon distribution). She is portrayed seated on a throne with a crescent moon on her head. In some of the paintings, Lord Shiva is shown standing to her right with a begging bowl.
Legends Of Annapurna
There is an alternative story regarding the disappearance of the goddess Parvati and the emergence of the goddess Annapurna. According to this story, the Trimurti were arguing over who among them was the greatest. After hearing their arguments, the goddess Parvati decided to show them her importance.
So, she disappeared, taking all the food with her. As a result, rituals stopped being performed, as food is essential for the ritual. Moreover, the gods begin to wane as a result of all this. They went to Trimurti for help. Trimurti in turn turned to Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu told Lord Shiva that there is a woman who is donating food in Kashi, the old name for Varanasi.
Lord Shiva immediately went to Kashi as a beggar to ask for food for the world. Goddess Parvati was glad that they realized the importance of her and the nature that she symbolized. She offered Lord Shiva food and told him that she would reside in Kashi in the form of Annapurna.
Another legend has it that Lord Shiva was cursed for removing one of Lord Brahma’s five heads. He was told that his curse could be cured only after getting food from the hands of Devis (Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati). When Devis offered him food, the face stuck to the hands of Lord Shiva, and he was cured. Hence, Tridevis are also together known as Annapurna Devis.
Sage Vyasa was once under a curse. And he was directed to Varanasi to cure his curse. There, the goddess Annapurna showed up as a housewife and gave him food. After getting this boon, his curse was lifted.
Devotion
In Hinduism, giving or offering food is highly praised. As the goddess literally represents the fulfillment of food, she is highly worshiped in every household. In India, a daughter-in-law is often called Annapurna out of respect. It is believed that if food is cooked in the spirit of holiness, it becomes sacred with the blessing of the goddess.
There are several temples dedicated to her, but the most important one is Annapurna Devi Mandir in Varanasi. Her birthday is considered an auspicious day, and people buy gold. They offer her rice and grains along with prayers.
She is considered Visvashakti (world power) and Vishvamata (mother of the world) by her devotees. According to her devotees, the goddess doesn’t only provide nourishment to the body but also to the soul. She gives the energy to attain knowledge and, hence, enlightenment, which brings moksha closer. So, she gives blessings for nourishment, wisdom, and renunciation.
Colors
Light blue: The goddess Annapurna is often associated with the light blue color, as it is considered warm.
Goddess Jewelry
There are many reasons why you might want to keep a healing crystal or stone close to you. Getting closer to your goddess by wearing her color or crystal is a great one. That they also look great as jewelry only makes it so much better!
Here is a guide to crystal jewelry you hopefully will find helpful. In it is a list of 30+ crystals and links to some really great looking jewelry with that crystal or stone. Enjoy!
Plants
Annapurna is the goddess of all food and nourishment present in the world. But she is often offered rice and grains during her worship.
Perfumes/Scents
As a manifestation of goddess Parvati, she is often associated with scents of vanilla, amber, and sandalwood.
FAQs About Annapurna
What is the Annapurna goddess of?
Annapurna is the goddess of food and nourishment.
Who is the goddess Annapurna’s consort?
As goddess is the manifestation of goddess Parvati, she is the consort of Lord Shiva.
Goddess Annapurna is the manifestation of which goddess?
Annapurna is the manifestation of the goddess Parvati.
Where is the most famous temple of the goddess Annapurna?
Annapurna Devi Mandir in Varanasi is the most famous temple which is made in her honor.
Goddess of food Annapurna
The Gods, humans and demons all kept praying for food. Goddess Parvati heard the prayers and she could not see her children perishing out of hunger. So she appeared in Kashi (Varanasi) and started distributing food.
Annapurna is a combination of two words- ‘Anna’ meaning food and ‘purna’ meaning ‘filled completely’. Annapurna is the goddess of food and kitchen. She is an avatar of Goddess Parvati who is wife of Shiva. She is the goddess of nourishment and never lets her devotees stay without food. She is also considered to be the goddess of Kashi in Uttar Pradesh. Kashi or Varanasi is called the city of light as the goddess does not only provide nourishment to the body, it provides nourishment to the soul in the form of enlightenment. She gives us the energy to attain knowledge.
Goddess Annapurna Story
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati used to play the game of dice. Once they were playing and the game became very interesting. They started betting. Parvati kept her jewels and Shiva kept his trident. Shiva lost the game and he lost his trident. So in the next game he bet his snake to get back the trident. He lost in this game too. He played more and bet more and kept on losing. Eventually he lost everything including his begging bowl.
Shiva felt very humiliated and went to Deodar forest to meet Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu approached Shiva who told him everything about what had happened. Lord Vishnu then told Shiva to play the game again. He told him that he will win back everything he had lost in the next game. Shiva took Lord Vishnu’s advice and went back to play the game again.
Goddess Parvati became suspicious of Shiva’s sudden turn of fortunes that led him to win back everything. She called him a cheat. This led to an argument between the two of them. Finally, Lord Vishnu appeared as he could not take the fight anymore. He told them that the dice in the game had moved according to his wish and they were only under an illusion that they had been playing. To this Shiva added that everything materialistic was just an illusion or Maya. Everything that we possessed was an illusion. Even the food we ate was Maya. This made Goddess Parvati angry. She did not agree that food was an illusion. She said that calling food an illusion was equivalent to calling her an illusion. So in order to show Lord Shiva and the world her importance she disappeared saying that she wanted to see how the world would survive without food.
Her disappearance meant that Nature came to a standstill. There were no changes in seasons. Everything became barren. The lands became infertile. Nothing grew anymore. This led to severe drought and a huge shortage of food.
The Gods, humans and demons all kept praying for food. Goddess Parvati heard the prayers and she could not see her children perishing out of hunger. So she appeared in Kashi (Varanasi) and started distributing food.
Shiva realized his mistake and the fact that he was incomplete without Shakti. So he appeared before Goddess Parvati in Kashi with a begging bowl in his hands. He said her that he had realized his mistake that food could not be dismissed as an illusion and it was required to nourish the body as well as the inner soul. Since then Goddess Parvati is worshipped as the Goddess of food – Annapurna Devi. It is believed that if the food is cooked with a spirit of holiness it becomes sacred as Annapurna blesses it.
It is said in the holy books of Hinduism that a person who wastes food in any form gets a bad omen of Maa Annpurna.
Story Of Devi Annapurna – The Hindu Goddess Of Food – The Goddess Of City Kashi
Annapurna Devi story in Hindi and Annapurna Devi Mantra. Annapoorna or Annapurna is the Hindu goddess of food who is also the Goddess of the city of Kashi (Varanasi).
She is an avatar of Devi Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. Annapurna is said to be the giver of food and she is the who has a lot of food to give. The word Annapurna is derived from Sanskrit language meaning the giver of food. Anna means “food” and purna means “complete”.
Akshaya Tritiya is considered the birth date of Annapurna. It is also believed that Mount Annapurna in the Himalayan range is named after her as she is believed to be one of the daughters of King Himavat, the king of the mountains. Mata Annapurna is usually depicted as a youthful goddess with red complexion, round face like full moon, three eyes, high breasts and four hands.
In Bengal tradition, she is eulogized in Annada Mangal. There are not many temples dedicated to her. The most prominent one is the Annapurna Devi Mandir and the Kasi Viswanath Temple in Varanasi.
Mata Annapurna is also known by her other names:
Visalakshi (Sanskrit: विशालाक्षी) – She who have large eyes.
Visvashakti (Sanskrit: विश्वशक्ति) – World power.
Visvamata (Sanskrit: विश्वमाता) – Mother of the world.
Shristihetikavardani (Sanskrit: सृष्टिहेतुकावरदानी) – She who is boon granter for the sake of the world.
Bhuvaneswari (Sanskrit: भुवनेश्वरी) – Goddess of Earth.
Annada (Sanskrit: अन्नदा) – Donor of food.
As per the legend, Mata Annapurna fed the whole world along with her consort Lord Shiva.
The story of Mata Annapurna is quite fascinating. It goes like this, once Lord Shiva told Devi Parvati that the world and the food, both are an illusion called Maya. Devi Parvati, the divine mother became angry because she was the who is worshiped as the manifestation of all worldly material things, including food. She though t of demonstrating her importance to Lord Shiva and she disappeared from the world instantly.
Her disappearance created havoc as everything stopped, primarily the food. The earth became barren and there was no food to be found anywhere.
When Devi Parvati saw the sufferings, she out of compassion reappeared in Kashi (Varanasi) and set up a kitchen to feed everyone. When Lord Shiva heard about her arrival, he ran to her and presented his bowl in alms. He said to Mata, “now I realize that the material world, like the food and the spirit, is not an illusion.”
Devi Parvati smiled and fed Shiva with her own hands. Since then Devi Parvati is worshiped as Mata Annapurna, the one who gives food.
It is said that the Kasi Viswanath Temple in Varanasi was built by Lord Shiva in her honour.
Goddess Annapurna – The Hindu Goddess of Food
In Hindu dharma, the goddess Annapurna is regarded as the goddess of food. In Sanskrit, ‘Anna’ means ‘food,’ and ‘Purna’ means ‘abundance or filled.’ Goddess Annapurna promises all those who come to her something that only the mother can give: to nourish them and to give without thinking about yourself, to be unselfish!
She is the incarnation of the goddess Parvati and one of the many forms of Mother Shakti. In this incarnation, she nourishes all living beings; therefore, the Hindus consider “Anna” (food) to be holy, which is why they offer prayers before eating it.
The appearance of the Goddess
Goddess Annapurna is easy to recognize because she always holds a pot or a jeweled bowl of food in one hand and a spoon in the other to distribute food to her devotees. The cup full of food grains shows the divinity of food she offers to all her children.
This is a very kind and generous form of the Mother Goddess; she is always ready to feed the believers, to bestow what they want. Those who worship her will never go hungry. Annapurna patronizes farmers and people involved in the creation of food.
The goddess has a full moon-like face, three eyes, and two (sometimes four) arms. She is depicted in beautiful clothes and gold jewelry and sits on a throne. In some images, the god Shiva is depicted standing next to her with a begging bowl in his hands and asking Annapurna for food that gives him energy (Shakti) to achieve knowledge and enlightenment.
Manifestation of Mother Annapurna
There are two legends regarding the manifestation of the Annapurna Devi. In both manifestations, the birth date of Annapurna Devi is at Akshaya Tritiya.
First Story: When Pravati Devi disappeared
One day Lord Shiva told his wife, the goddess Parvati, that the world is an illusion and that food is part of this illusion, called Maya. Parvati, who was nature itself (Prakriti), got angry. She disappeared from the world with all the food to prove that living things cannot survive without it.
The disappearance of Parvati caused havoc and confusion. The seasons stopped changing; the land became barren, and a terrible drought came. It was impossible to find food in any of the three worlds (Heaven/ Swarga Loka, Earth/ Bhu Loka, and Underworld/ Patal Loka). Everyone prayed to the Divine Mother, and she again manifested in Varanasi (Kashi) and established a kitchen on earth for the world’s benefit, where she fed all those who turned.
Shiva himself came to his Divine wife and handed her his bowl. Lord Shiva soon realized he was incomplete without his Shakti and recognized that achieving moksha (liberation) was impossible without food for the body, where the Atma or Soul resides. Devi Parvati smiled and fed Lord Shiva with her palms.
Second story: Argument between Trimurti and Mahadevi
According to the second legend, one day, the three deities (Trimurti Dev: Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahadev or Shiva) had a heated argument over who among them was the greatest. After hearing their arguments, Mahadevi decided to show them her importance in the world and disappeared, thus causing severe famine and scarcity of food.
As a result, Yagyas (ritual of sacrifice to gods) could not be performed, and the Devas or gods, beginning to weaken, turned to the Trimurti for help. Lord Vishnu then requested Lord Shiva to ask goddess Shakti to return. He told Shiva about a woman in Kashi who started donating food to people.
Lord Shiva immediately realized that this woman was none other than Jagadamba (Mother of the Universe) and went to Kashi as a beggar to ask for food from Devi for the Devas. Goddess Parvati was glad that the need for her and her nature became recognized by everyone; she offered Shiva food as alms and told Mahadev that she would reside in Kashi in the form of Annapurna.
The place where Shiva went was the only kitchen on Earth that was located on Kashi. Kashi is a place regarded as the region where the causal body manifests the highest level of peace.
Goddess Annapurna in Nepal
Hindus in Nepal consider Mother Annapurna as a symbol of Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Mahasaraswati (Tridevi). She is also revered and worshipped as Ashtalakshmi Swaroop, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, Jai Lakshmi, Virya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, and Saubhagya Lakshmi. Buddhist Newars, on the other hand, appraise Annapurna as Basundhara, Yogamvar, Gyaneshwari, Mahalakshmi, Azima Pith, and Mahamayuri.
The famous temple of Devi Annapurna is in Asan of Kathmandu, a pagoda-style three-storied brass temple. Here the goddess is portrayed with eight arms: every four right arms hold a sword, Bajra, Varad Mudra, and a bowl, while every four left arms hold a Bindu mudra, a rosary, a bell, and an urn. Besides, there are numerous family temples where Annapoorna Mata is worshipped by local Pundits.
Festival in Nepal
Every year from Ashwin Shukla Navami to Dwadashi, the Kathmandu residents, especially the Newar community, celebrate the Annapurna Jatra (festival). The dangerous yet magnificent eight-thousand-mountain range Annapurna is named after the goddess.
Annapurna Goddess in India
According to Kashi Khand of Skanda Purana, God Vishweshwar is a householder, and goddess Parvati runs his household. Therefore, the burden of the welfare of the people of Kashi lies on them. According to Kashi-Rahasya of ‘Brahma Vaivarta Purana,’ goddess Parvati is Annapurna.
The Annapoorneshwari Temple in India is located a few meters from the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, where the Jyotirlingam of Shiva is located. Annapurna is recognized as the ruler of Kashi, while her husband, God Shiva, is the lord. Every day at noon, food is distributed in the temple on behalf of Mother Annapurna. And during the celebration of the Navratri festival, the amount of food distributed increases tenfold.
Festival in India
After the Diwali festival, Varanasi also hosts Annakut, a celebration dedicated to Annapurna. On this day, all believers who come to worship the goddess are given special coins blessed by the goddess Annapurna. These coins are believed to bring prosperity and wealth to the devotees.
In addition, every year, Indians celebrate Annapurna Jayanti. This holiday falls in December, Purnima Tithi (full moon) of Mangsir. Women who want to please the goddess and receive her divine blessing keep a strict fast, which continues throughout the day until nightfall.
Sri Annapurna Ashtakam
Sri Annapurna Ashtakam is the prayer for nourishment and forsaking.
नित्यानन्दकरी वराभयकरी सौन्दर्यरत्नाकरी
निर्धूताखिलघोरपावनकरी प्रत्यक्षमाहेश्वरी ।
प्रालेयाचलवंशपावनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ १॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! renderer of the support of compassion, the bestower of eternal happiness, the donor of gifts and protection, the ocean of beauty, the destroyer of all sins and purifier, the great goddess, the purifier of the family of Himavan, and the great deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
नानारत्नविचित्रभूषणकरी हेमाम्बराडम्बरी
मुक्ताहारविलम्बमान विलसत् वक्षोजकुम्भान्तरी ।
काश्मीरागरुवासिता रुचिकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ २॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, one who is adorned with ornaments made up of different kinds of gems, wearer of golden-laced dress, the space, in between whose breasts shines with the pendant garland of pearls, the beautiful-bodied, rendered and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
योगानन्दकरी रिपुक्षयकरी धर्मार्थनिष्ठाकरी
चन्द्रार्कानलभासमानलहरी त्रैलोक्यरक्षाकरी ।
सर्वैश्वर्यसमस्तवाञ्छितकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ३॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, the giver of happiness obtainable through yoga, the destroyer of the enemies, the cause of (men) getting deep-rooted in righteousness, the possessor of the waves of splendor of the three worlds, the donors of all riches, the bestower of the fruits of penance, and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
कैलासाचलकन्दरालयकरी गौरी उमा शङ्करी
कौमारी निगमार्थगोचरकरी ओङ्कारबीजाक्षरी ।
मोक्षद्वारकपाटपाटनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ४॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, the resident of the caves of the Kailasa mountains, golden-complexioned, Oh! Uma! the consort of Sankara, endowed always with maidenhood, the cause of our comprehension of the purport of the Vedas, whose basic syllable is the syllable `Om’, the opener of the doors of emancipation and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
दृश्यादृश्य विभूतिवाहनकरी ब्रह्माण्डभाण्डोदरी
लीलानाटकसूत्रभेदनकरी विज्ञानदीपाङ्कुरी ।
श्रीविश्वेशमनः प्रसादनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ५॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, the conveyor of the visible and invisible prosperity, the container of the primordial egg, the directress of the sportive drama (of the world), the flame of the lamp of true knowledge, the source of the mental happiness of Sri Visvanatha, and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
आदिक्षान्तसमस्तवर्णनकरी शम्भोस्त्रिभावाकरी
काश्मीरा त्रिजलेश्वरी त्रिलहरी नित्याङ्कुरा शर्वरी ।
कामाकाङ्क्षकरी जनोदयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ७॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, the maker of the letters, the cause of the three acts of Sambhu, namely, the creation, protection, and destruction, the wearer of saffron, the consort of the destroyer of the three cities, the consort of the three-eyed lord, the governess of the universe, the form of the goddess of night, the opener of the gates of heavens, and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
उर्वी सर्वजनेश्वरी भगवती माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी
वेणीनीलसमानकुन्तलधरी नित्यान्नदानेश्वरी ।
सर्वानन्दकरी सदाशुभकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ६॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, the form of the earth, the governess of all men, the cause of victory, the mother, the ocean of compassion, the possessor of a beautiful and dark braid of Hari resembling the flower of the indigo plant, the giver of food daily, the direct bestower of emancipation and eternal welfare, and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
देवी सर्वविचित्ररत्नरचिता दाक्षायणी सुन्दरी
वामे स्वादुपयोधरा प्रियकरी सौभाग्य माहेश्वरी ।
भक्ताभीष्टकरी सदाशुभकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ८॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, Oh! Goddess! adorned with different kinds of gems, the daughter of Daksha, the most beautiful, bearer of benign breasts, doer of good to all, endowed with good fortune, fulfiller of the desires of the devotees, doer of auspicious acts, and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
चन्द्रार्कानलकोटिकोटिसदृशा चन्द्रांशुबिम्बाधरी
चन्द्रार्काग्निसमानकुण्डलधरी चन्द्रार्कवर्णेश्वरी ।
मालापुस्तकपाशसाङ्कुशधरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ९॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, one who resembles crores and crores of suns, moons, and fires, endowed with lips resembling the red pearl and the Bimba fruit, bearer of ear-ornament resembling the moon, sun, and fire (in radiance), having a complexion of the goad, and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
क्षत्रत्राणकरी महाऽभयकरी माता कृपासागरी
साक्षान्मोक्षकरी सदा शिवकरी विश्वेश्वरी श्रीधरी ।
दक्षाक्रन्दकरी निरामयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ १०॥
Oh! Mother Annapurna! the renderer of the support of compassion, the protector of the dominion remover of great fear, the mother, the ocean of compassion, the cause of the happiness of all, the eternal doer of good, the consort of Visvesvara, the form of Lakshmi, the destroyer of the sacrifice of Daksha, one who makes us free from diseases, and the presiding deity of Kasi, (thou) grant us alms.
अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे
शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे ।
ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं
भिक्षां देहि च पार्वति ॥ ११॥
Oh! Parvati! Annapurna! always full, the dear consort of Sankara, grant us alms for the sake of securing knowledge and detachment.
माता च पार्वती देवी
पिता देवो महेश्वरः ।
बान्धवाः शिवभक्ताश्च
स्वदेशो भुवनत्रयम् ॥ १२॥
Goddess Parvati is my Mother, Lord Mahesvara is my Father, the devotees of Lord Siva are my relatives; and the three worlds are my own country.
The devotees in Kashi believe that Kashi is the home of Goddess Annapurna, so no one ever sleeps hungry in this city. Worshipping the Annapurna goddess destroys all sins. She protects her devotee from all calamities.
Mother Annapurna also provides her devotee all worldly pleasures and, in the end, salvation. She takes care of everyone without discrimination, and whoever worships Goddess Annapurna with complete devotion, resides in their home in her subtle form.