INTRODUCTION :
Annapurna Devi is the goddess who provides food for all the living beings in the earth. The name Annapurna itself indicates as the giver of sufficient food. Annapurna is an important goddess, since through her blessings only, we are able to eat food and sustain in this world. She is an incarnation of Mata Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The Annapurna Sahasranam praises her glory and describes her various names. Kashi Viswanath Temple in Varanasi is the famous temple for goddess Annapurna and daily thousands of devotees come to this place to worship the divine goddess and to get her blessings. Akshaya Tritiya Festival is celebrated considering as the birthday of the goddess Annapurna, and people purchase golden jewelry and start new ventures on that day.
The other names of Annapurna are:
1. Visalakshi
2. Visvasakti
3. Visvamata
4. Bhuvanesvari
Annapurna once offered food to Lord Shiva in order to make him to realize that she is the ultimate giver of the food to the entire UNIVERSE. The Hindu Scriptures describe the features of Annapoorna as a beautiful goddess with golden colored body and a shining face. In one hand, she holds the food pot, and in another hand, she offers food to her devotees. She is seated on a golden throne. She is also mentioned in divine texts as the giver of knowledge, wisdom, courage, spiritual energy and strength in mind and in body. Devi Bhagavata and Skanda Purana praise her glory and mention her importance. Food is considered as the most important thing for the living beings in this world. Without food, no one would survive in this world. Hence it is a must for us to pray to goddess Annapurna devi and must thank to her for giving sufficient food to us. She has to be worshiped on a daily basis especially before taking our food. The importance of Annadhanam is mentioned in various puranas, and Lord Krishna also tells in his Bhagavatgita about the importance of food donation, and asks us to provide food to other living beings in the world. The Annapurna Slokas composed by Adi Shankaracharya is recited by Hindus throughout the world as a thanks giving to Mata Annapurna for giving food.
FAMOUS TEMPLES :
1. Annapurna Devi Mandir in Varanasi.
2. Annapurna Devi Temple in West Bengal.
3. Maa Annapurna Mandir in Madhya Pradesh.
4. Annapoorneshwari Temple, situated at Horanadu in Karnataka.
Here food is provided to the devotees three times a day at free of cost. Apart from providing food, they are offering beverages like milk and coffee and giving shelters with blankets at free of cost.
5. Kunnam Annapoorneswari Devi Temple in Kerala.
6. Annapurna Mata Temple in Hyderabad.
7. Annapurna Devi Temple in Maharashtra.
8. Annapurna Temple in Gujarat.
9. Annapurna Temple in Rajasthan.
IMPORTANCE :
Being the UNIVERSAL MOTHER, Annapurna Mata shows great love and affection on us and provides plenty of food to us. We cannot forget her, since daily we have to consume food. Food is the most essential thing for our survival in this world. Without food, we cannot do anything in this world. Hence, let us worship her sincerely by offering daily prayers to her and keep her idol and picture in our home, and perform puja and abhishekham to her. By reciting her slokas and worshiping her in the famous temples meant for her, all of our health related problems will be solved and our mind also will work more actively. Let us chant her holy names and be blessed.
“OM SREE MATA ANNAPURNA DEVIYE NAMAHA”
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
SENT BY R.HARISHANKAR
