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. In this text, praying to Annapurna is the means by which the sage Ribhu attains knowledge. 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. The Kumara Sambhavam by Kalidasa makes vivid mention about Varanasi and the deity Annapurna.
Literary sources Īnnapurna is mentioned in Hindu religious texts such as the Rudrayamala, Sivarahasya, Annapurnamantratsava, Maha Tripurasiddhanta, Annapurna Kavacha, Annapurnahavamti, Annapurnamalininaksatramalika, and Bhairvahyantantra.
Shiva in Annapoorna Stotra described the deity always holding a scripture, akshamala and opener of doors of Moksha in her hands in place of vessel and ladle, indicating his prayer to Annapoorna being spiritual perfection rather than food. In some depictions, Shiva is shown standing to her right with a begging bowl, begging her for alms. She is seated on a throne with the crescent moon adorning her head. She is depicted with wristlets and golden jewelry on her chest. The other two hands depict the Abhaya and Varada poses. The right hand with a golden ladle adorned with various jewels.
The lower left hand is depicted as holding a vessel full of delicious porridge. The Agamas (religious texts) describe the iconography of Annapoorna as a youthful goddess having red complexion with a face round like the full moon, three eyes, high breasts, and four hands. Annadā (Sanskrit: अन्नदा) – donor of food.Bhuvaneśvarī (Sanskrit: भुवनेश्वरी) – goddess of earth.Sṛṣtihetukāvaradānī (Sanskrit: सृष्टिहेतुकावरदानी) – she who is a boon granter for the sake of the world.The Western world names her the "Hindu God of Cooking," considering her association with food items. 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. Anna (अन्न) means "food" or "grains" and pūrṇa (पूर्ण) means "full, complete and perfect." Īnnapurna is derived from Sanskrit meaning the giver of food and nourishment. Since Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be the birthdate of the Goddess Annapurna, the day is believed to be very auspicious for buying gold jewelry. 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.Ī few temples exist that are dedicated to her, the most prominent being the Annapurna Devi Mandir in Varanasi. She is a manifestation of the Goddess Parvati, the wife of Shiva, and is eulogized in the Annada Mangal, a narrative poem in Bengali by Bharatchandra Ray. Worship and offering of food are highly praised in Hinduism, and therefore, the Goddess Annapurna is regarded as a popular deity. filled with or possessed of food) is an aspect of Devi Adishakti and is known as the Hindu Goddess of food and nourishment. Om Annapūrne Sadāpūrne Śankara Prāna Vallabhe Jnyāna Vairāghya Siddhyātam Bhikśām Dehī Ća PārvatīĪnnapurna, Annapurneshwari, Annada or Annapoorna ( Sanskrit: अन्नपूर्णा, Bengali: অন্নপূর্ণা, IAST: Annapūrṇa, lit. Goddess Annapurna ( Parvati), sitting on the throne, giving alms to Shiva.