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Kashi Annapurna Temple, Varanasi
Annapurna Devi · Kashi, Uttar Pradesh
॥ ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं अन्नपूर्णायै नमः ॥
The Kashi Annapurna Temple stands beside the Kashi Vishwanath shrine in Varanasi, dedicated to Annapurna — Parvati as the goddess who feeds the world. In the lore of Kashi, even Shiva holds out his begging bowl to Annapurna for alms, and the temple keeps that spirit alive by feeding pilgrims daily and, at Annakut, revealing its golden image of the goddess to the public.
The goddess from whom even Shiva begs
A famous Kashi tradition tells that when Shiva, lost in the thought that the world is mere illusion, found that food too is real and necessary, the Divine Mother appeared as Annapurna with a vessel of food, and Shiva himself begged alms from her. The temple enshrines that lesson: Annapurna is the power that sustains all life, and no philosophy can dismiss the sacredness of feeding the hungry.
An 18th-century shrine beside Vishwanath
The present temple was built in the early 18th century, in the period of Maratha patronage that rebuilt much of the Kashi temple quarter. It sits in the dense lanes beside the Kashi Vishwanath temple, so closely linked that pilgrims to Vishwanath almost always take darshan of Annapurna as well — Shiva and the goddess who feeds him, worshipped side by side.
The golden Annapurna and Annakut
The temple holds a golden image of Annapurna that is shown to the public for only a few days each year, around Annakut after Diwali. On these days enormous crowds queue for the rare darshan, and consecrated coins and grain are given to devotees as a blessing of prosperity and plenty. The daily worship centres on a second image kept for regular darshan.
Feeding in the goddess’s name
True to Annapurna, the temple runs a kitchen that distributes food to pilgrims and the poor, keeping alive the principle that worship of the goddess of food is incomplete without the act of feeding. Annakut, literally a “mountain of food”, sees great heaps of cooked offerings made to the deity before being shared.
How to reach the temple
- By road: the temple is in the Vishwanath Gali area of old Varanasi, reached on foot through the lanes from the ghats or the main road.
- By train: Varanasi Junction is about 5 km from the old temple quarter.
- By air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi, is about 25 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Annapurna and why is she worshipped in Kashi?
Annapurna is Parvati as the goddess of food and nourishment. In Kashi tradition even Shiva begs alms from her, teaching that food is sacred and sustains all life. Her temple stands beside Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi.
How old is the Kashi Annapurna Temple?
The present temple was built in the early 18th century, during the period of Maratha patronage that rebuilt much of the Kashi temple quarter beside the Vishwanath shrine.
What is the golden Annapurna image?
The temple holds a golden image of Annapurna shown to the public for only a few days each year, around Annakut after Diwali, when great crowds queue for the rare darshan and receive consecrated coins and grain.
What is Annakut at the temple?
Annakut, a “mountain of food”, is the festival after Diwali when heaps of cooked offerings are made to Annapurna and then shared, and the golden image is displayed. It is the temple’s greatest occasion.
Is food given at the temple?
Yes. True to the goddess of food, the temple distributes meals to pilgrims and the poor, keeping alive the principle that worship of Annapurna is completed by the act of feeding.
How do I reach the Kashi Annapurna Temple?
It is in the Vishwanath Gali area of old Varanasi, reached on foot through the lanes near Kashi Vishwanath. Varanasi Junction is about 5 km away and the airport about 25 km.
॥ जय माँ अन्नपूर्णा ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Temple Name | Kashi Annapurna Temple |
| Primary Deity | Annapurna (Parvati) |
| Location | Vishwanath Gali, Varanasi |
| State | Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Significance | Goddess of food in Kashi |
| Architecture | Nagara |
| Built | Early 18th century |
| Key Festival | Annakut (after Diwali) |
| River Nearby | Ganga |
| Beside | Kashi Vishwanath Temple |
| Entry | Free |