Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

In Hindu mythology, there are two popular beliefs behind the origin of this temple. Once Mata Parvathi had closed all the eyes of the Lord Shiva (three eyes-Sun, Moon and Fire) and entire world was full of darkness. There was the condition of ‘Pralaya’ and the color of the Mata Parvati became dark also (means she has lost her Gauri Rupa). She was very sorrow and asked Lord Shiva how to get Gauri Rupa again. Lord Shiva said to her to make Anna Dan in the Kashi. Mata Parvati took her Annapurna Rupa with a golden pot and ladle and made Anna Dan in Varanasi. Again She got Her Gauri Rupa. It is considered that her devotees do Annapurna Pooja by making Anna Dan in Kashi.

Once, Lord Shiva said to the Goddess Parvati that the whole world is an illusion and the food is the part of that known as ‘Maya’. The Goddess of food (Mata Parvati) became very angry and she had to show the importance of all the material, in order to that she had vanished all things from the world. In the absence of food from the Earth, the Earth became infertile and everyone had suffered from the deep hunger. She had to reappear in the world by seeing his devotees suffering from the deep hunger. She, then made a kitchen in the holy city, Varanasi. Lord Shiva too came to her and said that i understand that the material can never be sent away as an illusion. Mata Parvati became very happy and offered food to the Lord Shiva with her own hands. From that time Mata Parvati is worshiped as an Annapurna means the Goddess of food.