Annapurna Devi – The Goddess of Food and Nourishment

Annapurna Devi – The Goddess of Food and Nourishment 

How many times have we heard our parents mention- “Don’t waste food, you’re disrespecting the Gods”. The food we consume not only serves to tantalize our taste buds and fill our stomach but provides us with the nutrition for growth and development.

That alone should render it important and be treated with respect. But like everything in Hindu Dharma, the food we consume also has a goddess who ensures the nutrition we get – Goddess Annapurna

Annapurna is said to be the incarnation of the Hindu goddess Parvati, who is one of the numerous forms of Shakti and wife of Shiva. Anna means “food” in Sanskrit and purna means “filled completely”. Annapurna is the Goddess of the Kitchen and of Cooks. Her statutes are often found in Hindu kitchens for her blessings. It is believed in India and Nepal when food is cooked with the spirit of holiness it becomes alchemy. Annapurna blesses the food and converts it to Amrita which is the Sanskrit word for delicious and healthy food which gives immortality. People often call upon Annapurna to bless your food and food preparation kitchen.Worship and offering of food is highly praised in Hinduism and therefore, the goddess Annapurna is regarded as a popular deity. She is an avatar (form) of Parvati, the wife of Shiva.and is eulogized in the Annada Mangal, a narrative poem in Bengali by Bharatchandra Ray. 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

Sri Eswaran