Unique Attributes : Nourishes, food, cooking,
harvest, generosity
Incarnation of : Goddess Parvati
Abode : Kasi
Primary Scripture : Annapurna Strotam
In Sanskrit 'Anna' means food and 'purna' means complete; together the
term Annapurna signifies nourishing with food to the fullest. The Devi
Annapurna is the goddess of food and harvest and is believed to be the
one who fills the stomachs of the hungry with her noble powers. In Hindu
belief she is the one endowed with the powers to supply food in a
limitless form. She is the divine symbol of nourish and care she
provides to her children. In common parlance at Hindu households if
people waste food, it is said that they in turn make Annapurna Devi
angry.
The origin of Goddess Annapurna is related to the mythological tale of
Lord Brahma and Vishnu being worried about the extinction of food from
earth resulting in perishing of many human beings. These gods pleaded to
Lord Shiva who invited the goddess Annapurna to earth and begged for
food from her. Lord Shiva distributed the food received from the Devi
and since then promised her that she should continue to nourish the
people of earth and in turn he would give moksha to the people of Kasi
where the goddess resides.
Some religious philosophers believe that goddess Annapurna is the
incarnation of Devi Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Ma Annapurna is
also referred to as the goddess of fertility and agriculture which calls
for immense popularity of this deity in the villages of India. Goddess
Annapurna is also reasonably popular in South India with separate
shrines dedicated to this deity of food and harvest. The idol of goddess
Annapurna devi is always shown with a bowl which is always filled with
grain, representing the bountiful of food she has to offer to her
children.