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{{short description|Hindu goddess of food and nourishment}}
{{for|surbahar player|Annapurna Devi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| name = Annapurna
| image = Goddess Annapurna 1.jpeg
| deity_of = Goddess of Food and Nourishment
| symbol = [[Cookware and bakeware|Pot]], [[Ladle (spoon)|Ladle]]
|day=[[Friday]]
| caption = Annapurna ([[Parvati]]), sitting on the throne, giving alms to [[Shiva]]
| script_name = Sanskrit
| script = अन्नपूर्णा
| Sanskrit_transliteration = {{IAST|Annapūrṇa}}
| affiliation = [[Parvati]], [[Devi]], [[Durga]], [[Adi Parashakti]]
| abode = [[Mount Kailash]]
| member_of =
| consort = [[Shiva]]
| mantra = Om Annapūrne Sadāpūrne Śankara Prāna Vallabhe Jnyāna Vairāghya Siddhyātam Bhikśām Dehī Ća Pārvatī
}}
'''Annapurna''', '''Annapurneshwari, Annada''' or '''Annapoorna''' ([[Sanskrit]]: अन्नपूर्णा, [[IAST]]: Annapūrṇā, lit. ''filled with or possessed of food'')<ref name=MW>{{cite web |url= http://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/a.html |title= Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary |last= Williams |first= Monier |website= faculty.washington.edu |quote= annapūrṇa : pūrṇa mfn. filled with or possessed of food; (ā), f. N. of a goddess, a form of Durgā |access-date= 18 November 2017 |archive-date= 26 January 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170126143349/http://faculty.washington.edu/prem/mw/a.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> is a manifestation of [[Parvati]] and is known as the ([[Hinduism|Hindu]] goddess of food and feeding). Worship and offering of food are highly praised in Hinduism, and therefore, the goddess Annapurna is regarded as a popular deity. She is a manifestation of the goddess [[Parvati]], the paredra of [[Shiva]],<ref>[[#P.|P. 2001]], p. 13</ref> and is eulogized in the ''[[Annada Mangal]]'', a narrative poem in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] by [[Bharatchandra Ray]]. The ''Annapurna Sahasranam'' is dedicated to the goddess and praises her one thousand names, while the ''Annapurna Shatanama Stotram'' is dedicated to her 108 names.

A few temples exist that are dedicated to her, some of the most prominent being the [[Annapoorneshwari Temple]] established by [[Agastya]] at [[Horanadu]] and [[Annapurna Devi Mandir]] in [[Varanasi]]. Since [[Akshaya Tritiya]] is considered to be the birthdate of Annapurna, the day is believed to be very auspicious for buying gold jewellery.<ref>{{cite web|title=TOPSHOTS An Indian customer looks at a selection of white gold...|publisher=Getty Images|last=Nanu|first=Narendra|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-192379334.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924175246/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-192379334.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|date=6 May 2011|access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref>

==Etymology==

Annapurna is derived from [[Sanskrit]] meaning ''the giver of food and nourishment''. ''Anna'' (अन्न) means "food" or "grains" and ''pūrṇa'' (पूर्ण) means "full, complete and perfect."

It is believed that Mount [[Annapurna]] in the [[Himalayas]] is named after her as the goddess is believed to be one of the daughters of [[Himavat]], the king of the mountains.<ref>{{cite web|title=An Indian mystic, seeking his goddess, goes the hard way in the Himalayas|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-55758942.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924181531/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-55758942.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|publisher=AP Worldstream|last=Osan|first=Gurinder|date=28 August 2002|access-date=24 May 2015}}</ref> The Western world names her the "Hindu God of Cooking," considering her association with food items.<ref>{{cite web|title=Your Life: Currying Flavor; Zafron, Lisburn Road, Belfast food and drink|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-55758942.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924181531/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-55758942.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|publisher=The Mirror|location=London, England|date=5 January 2008|access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref>

The other names of Annapurna are:<ref name=p17/>
* ''[[Vishalakshi Temple|Viśālākshī]]'' (Sanskrit: विशालाक्षी) – ''she who has large eyes''.
* ''Viśvaśakti'' (Sanskrit: विश्वशक्ति) – ''world power''.
* ''Viśvamātā'' (Sanskrit: विश्वमाता) – ''mother of the world''.
* ''Sṛṣtihetukāvaradānī'' (Sanskrit: सृष्टिहेतुकावरदानी) – ''she who is a boon granter for the sake of the world''.
* ''Bhuvaneśvarī'' (Sanskrit: भुवनेश्वरी) – ''goddess of earth''.
* ''Renu'' – ''goddess of Atom''.
* ''Annadā'' (Sanskrit: अन्नदा) – ''donor of food''.

== Iconography ==
[[File:Maa Annapurna Statue at Gokarneshwor Mahadev Temple Premises, Gokarna, Kathmandu.jpg|thumb|Annapurna with a ladle and pot.]]
The [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Agamas]] (religious texts) describe the iconography of Annapurna as a youthful goddess having red complexion with a face round like the full moon, three eyes, high breasts, and [[Chaturbhuja|four hands]]. The lower left hand is depicted as holding a vessel full of delicious porridge. The right hand with a golden ladle adorned with various jewels. The other two hands depict the [[Abhayamudra|abhaya]] and [[Varadamudra|varada]] poses. She is depicted with wristlets and golden jewelry on her chest. She is seated on a throne with the crescent moon adorning her head.<ref name=P19>[[#P.|P. 2001]], p. 19</ref>

In some depictions, Shiva is shown standing to her right with a begging bowl, begging her for alms.<ref name=p20>[[#P.|P. 2001]], p. 20</ref>

== Literary sources ==

Annapurna is mentioned in Hindu religious texts such as the ''Rudrayamala'', ''Sivarahasya'', ''Annapurnamantratsava'', ''Maha Tripurasiddhanta'', ''Annapurna Kavacha'', ''Annapurnahavamti'', ''Annapurnamalininaksatramalika,'' and ''Bhairvahyantantra''.<ref name=p17/> The ''[[Kumara Sambhavam]]'' by [[Kalidasa]] makes vivid mention about Varanasi and the deity Annapurna. The goddess is also described as the source of knowledge and the main deity in the [[Annapurna Upanishad]], which is considered a minor Upanishad among the 108 Upanishads. In this text, praying to Annapurna is the means by which the sage Ribhu attains knowledge.

The ''[[Devi Bhagavata]]'' written during the 3rd and 4th centuries CE refers to Annapurna as the goddess of [[Kanchipuram]] and [[Vishalakshi]] as the goddess of Varanasi. The ''[[Skanda Purana]],'' written during the 7th century, states the sage [[Vyasa]] was led to Varanasi by a curse, and Annapurna came as a homemaker and offered him food. The ''[[Linga Purana]]'' mentions that Shiva was begging for food for his children as he could not get food in the world due to a miracle created by his consort Parvati. Parvati came out as Annapurna and offered food to Shiva at his doorsteps. The legend of [[Kasi Viswanath Temple|Kashi Viswanath Temple]] in Varanasi is associated with the story that Shiva built the temple there in her honour.<ref name=p18>[[#P.|P. 2001]], p. 18</ref>

The mention of Annapurna is also found in ''Kumara Sambhava'', a [[Telugu language|Telugu]] literature, by Nannechola, a Shaiva poet of the 12th century. There is also a mention of the deity in ''Kasikhanda'' by Srinatha, a Telugu poet of the 13th century.<ref name=p20/>

==Legend==
[[File:Annapurnashiva.jpg|thumb|Annapurna serving food to Shiva]]
One day, the god Shiva and his consort Parvati got into an argument about the material world. Shiva said that everything materialistic was just an illusion, including the food that the humans ate. This infuriated Parvati, who governs materialistic aspects. To show Shiva and the world her importance, she disappeared, saying that she wanted to see how the world would survive without her.

With Parvati's disappearance, the world was deprived of food, and there occurred a famine. Shiva's followers begged him for food; even the Gods were forced to beg for food, but could not find any food. Finally, Shiva and his followers realised that there was only one kitchen on earth, in the city of [[Varanasi]] (Kashi), where food was still available.

Shiva went to Kashi to beg for food. To his surprise, the kitchen was owned by his wife Parvati, but in the form of Annapurna. She wore celestial purple and brown garments, which were lightly adorned with ornaments. She was seated on a throne, serving and distributed food to the starving gods and hungry inhabitants of the earth. Annapurna offered her food as alms to Shiva and made him realize that as Brahman, Shiva might have outgrown hunger; but his followers had not.<ref name=p17/>

== Worship ==
Food is considered sacred in Hinduism, and prayers are offered before consuming it. The person who identifies the importance of ''Annam'' (food) within the five layers of the body helps carry life in the worldly process and subsequently seeks to identify [[Brahman]], the enlightenment. [[Annadana]], the donation of food, is highly praised in Hinduism. The importance of Annadana is prescribed in the ''Vishnu Dharamottara'', ''[[Agni Purana]]'', ''[[Padma Purana]]'', ''[[Kurma Purana]]'', ''Nandi Purana,'' and ''[[Vayu Purana]]''.<ref name=p17>[[#P.|P. 2001, p. 17]]</ref>

[[File:Annapurna3.JPG|thumb|Annapurna with consort Shiva]]
Annapurna is worshipped through the recitation of her thousand names and her one hundred and eight names. The ''[[Annapurna Stotra]]'' composed by [[Adi Shankara]] extols her attributes and is chanted by devotees.

In Marathi weddings, the bride is given metal idols of Annapurna and [[Bala Krishna]] by her mother. She worships them before the wedding, by offering rice and grains to the idols. This viddhi (custom) is known as Gauri Harap. She also takes images of her husband's house and places the idols on them.

== Temples ==

Though Annapurna is a popular deity, there are few temples dedicated to her.<ref name=p20/>
* [[Annapurna Devi Mandir]] dedicated to Annapurna is in [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh|U.P.]] Annapurna is the Goddess of the city of Kashi (Varanasi), where she is regarded as the queen of Varanasi alongside her consort Vishweshwar (Shiva), the King of Varanasi. In the temple, at noon every day, prasad (foods offered to the goddess) are distributed to the elderly and disabled. During [[Navaratri]], food is distributed on a larger scale.<ref>{{cite web|title=Temples in Varanasi|url=http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/various_temples.html|publisher=Varanasi District administration|year=2011|access-date=25 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105032502/http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/various_temples.html|archive-date=5 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In [[West Bengal]], the ShivaShakti Annapurna temple in [[Barrackpore]] was built by [[Rani Rashmoni]]'s daughter Jagadamba Devi in 1875. This temple was modeled after the famous [[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]].
* In [[Madhya Pradesh]], Annapurna Mandir (Temple) is located near Lal Bagh Palace in Indore.
* [[Annapoorneshwari Temple]], is situated at Horanadu in the [[Western Ghats]], [[Chikkamagaluru district|Chikkamagaluru]] of [[Karnataka]], where afternoon and evening prayers are held after the devotees are fed.
* In [[Kerala]], there is a temple in [[Chalappally]] village by the name Kunnam Annapoorneswari Devi Temple.
* A temple of the goddess is in [[Cherukunnu]], [[Kannur]], [[Kerala]] by the name [[Annapurneshwari Temple, Cherukunnu]].
* In [[Puducode]] town of Kerala, there is Puducode Annapoorneswari Temple, where the grand celebration of [[Navaratri]] held yearly with grand feast, which is crowded by thousands of devotees from all around the globe, those who have migrated and settled elsewhere.
* In [[Thodupuzha]] town, there is Thachukuzhikavu Annapoorneswari-Bhadrakali-Navagraha Temple.
* In [[Tamil Nadu]], several temples exist dedicated to the goddess, notable among them are: [[Odhanavaneswarar Temple, Tiruchotruturai]], a temple for Annapurna constructed near [[Watrap]], [[Virudhunagar]], on the way to Saduragiri the temple is distinct, being in the form of an eight-sided pyramid. Another prominent temple is situated in [[Coimbatore district]]. Additionally, a temple named Andakasieswari is currently under construction at Achangudi near [[Tiruvadanai]] Town in [[Ramanathapuram district]].
* A temple is under construction at Pathikonda, [[Kurnool district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]].
* In [[Hyderabad]], her temples are found in Jafferguda.
* Her temples are there in [[Jalandhar]] and [[Bhatinda]] in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].
* In [[Maharashtra]], her temples are found in [[Bhandara (city)|Bhandara]] and [[Akola]]. One of the temple is located in Manegaon of [[Solapur]] District
* Her temples are also found in [[Gujarat]]. In [[Unjha]], [[Gujarat]], she is worshipped in as Umiya Mata. Some people in [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]] also consider [[Ashapura Mata]] as an incarnation of Annapurna Mata. In [[Rajasthan]], her temples are found in Mishroli village in [[Jhalawar district]] and Kagdara village in [[Pali district]]. There is one temple of Annapurna Mata in [[Chittor Fort]]. It was built by [[Hamir of Mewar|Maharana Hamir Singh]]. There are other temples in the fort near the Annapurna Mata temple, which are dedicated to Baan Mata, [[Charbhuja]], and Lakshmi-Narayan. On the top of the Ramgarh hill, Rajasthan, Kisnai, and Annapurna Devi temples are situated in the natural cave. Another temple is in [http://irinjalakuda.tv/2012/kunjilikkattil/contact.html Irinjalakuda Kunjilikattil Annapoorneswari Temple] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302162119/http://irinjalakuda.tv/2012/kunjilikkattil/contact.html |date=2 March 2020 }}. This is a family temple of local exhaust{{clarify|reason=What does this mean here?|date=February 2021}} community where the rituals are done by Brahmin priests<ref>{{cite web|title=Places of interest in Baran|url=http://rajasthan.gov.in/District/baran/Pages/PlacesofInterest.aspx|publisher=Government of Rajasthan|year=2011|access-date=25 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524135543/http://rajasthan.gov.in/District/baran/Pages/PlacesofInterest.aspx|archive-date=24 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In [[Asan, Kathmandu]] [[Nepal]], there is also a temple dedicated to goddess Annapurna in her [[Kalasha|Purna Kalash]] form.

== See also ==
* [[Annada Mangal]]
* [[Ukemochi]]; the Japanese ''Shinto'' goddess of food.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|3}}

==References==
{{refbegin|20em}}
* {{cite book|title=Annapurna - a bunch of flowers of Indian Culture|last=P.|first=Dr. Arundhati|isbn=81-7022-897-2|year=2001|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|location=New Delhi|ref=P.}}
* {{cite book|last=Saraswati|first=Swami Satyananda|title=Annapurna Puja and Sahasranam|year=2001|isbn=18-87472-85-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/sriannapurnapuja00saty}}
* {{cite book|last=Eck|first= Diana L. |title=Banaras: City of Light |date= April 2001 |isbn=81-87936-00-2}}
* {{cite book|title=Raghuvansa Mahakavya 1.1 ( the starting Shloka)|last= Kalidasa}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100114222928/http://boloji.com/hinduism/153.htm boloji.com story]
* [https://hinduslokas.recruitmentindia.in/annapurna-sahasranamavali-in-telugu/ hinduslokas.recruitmentindia.in story]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008225715/https://hinduslokas.recruitmentindia.in/annapurna-sahasranamavali-in-telugu/ |date=8 October 2022 }}.
* [https://shivshaktiannapurna.wordpress.com ShivaShakti Annapurna Temple, Barrackpore, West Bengal]
{{Temples in Varanasi}}
{{Shaktism}}

[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Forms of Parvati]]
[[Category:Mother goddesses]]
[[Category:Food deities]]
[[Category:Food goddesses]]

Annapurna (goddess) - Revision history

Thereforedesignpune: put up data