Navaratri Series — Day 7— Annapurna of Varanasi
Almost everyone of us know that Varanasi or Kashi is city of Shiva, the Vishwanath. But rarely we know that Varanasi is also a Shaktipeeth and city of the Goddess too. And amongst the most famous temples of Varanasi, lies the important temple of Goddess Annapurna, located just next to the Vishwanath shrine.
Once upon a time when Shiva was meditating, he found it so disturbing all the noise coming from Parvati’s kitchen in Kailas. The usual activities of kneading, cutting, washing, boiling, grating, grinding all caused a lot of irritation to Shiva who otherwise would find peace at Kailas. Out of frustration he asked Parvati why is she cooking all that food when neither he nor she has hunger. Parvati did not speak anything. She simply disappeared. After a while, all the Bhootas, Pretas and Ganas led by Ganesh came to Shiva and since he is the swami of Kailas asked him to feed them. Shiva directed them to Parvati but they told she has disappeared and there is no food left in the kitchen.
Having no options left, Shiva leaves Kailas in search of food with his Bhikshapatra. To his surprise he finds there is no food even on earth. Everywhere there is only draught and people yearning for food. After wandering at many places, he finally reaches to the city of Varanasi bustling with people. There he finds Parvati’s kitchen. He goes there and requests food for ganas and bhootas. Parvati very affectionately gives him food. She tells him that he has outgrown the hunger, but not all. The kitchen is for them.
Annapurna temple is located at centre of Kashi. It is also considered as resting place for Vishwanath after he has wandered around in search of food. The present moorthi of Annapurna is made of Gold shown with holding a pot and serving spoon to serve food. Even today a large number of devotees throng temple everyday to get the ‘bhog’ of Annapurna and understand the value of food. Every year the festival of Annakut is celebrated when hundreds of dishes are prepared to celebrate food that satiates hunger. Annapurna gives them ‘bhog’ to fulfil their physical hunger for sustaining lives and Vishwanath gives them ‘Yog’ to eventually outgrow the hunger and attain moksha.
Apart from Annapurna, Varanasi is also famous for another Shaktipeeth — Maikarnika Vishalakshi Devi where earings of Sati fell. This temple too has utmost importance among the devotees of the Goddess.
Day 7 of Navaratri — Annapurna shrine located in Varanasi in the Gangetic plains of the Indian sub-continent.
