Annapurna Ashtami 2024 : Puja Katha Date And Significance

Annapurna Ashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami of Shukla Paksha in Phalgun month. Annapurna is one of the forms of Goddess Parvati. In this incarnation, she is considered as the Goddess of food. Goddess Annapurna is the Vatsalya form of Goddess Parvati. We all need food to live and so Goddess Annapurna is the most important factor for life on earth.

Annapurna Ashtami Katha

Several stories are prevalent in our scriptures on what led Maa Jagdamba to take the form of Annapurna. As per one popular story, once upon a time Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva were conversing. Lord Shiva told Goddess Parvati everything present in the world is nothing but a form of Maya. He went on to say that one must not focus on physical aspects. According to him, even food was unimportant. Mahadev had overcome his own desires, he was away from Maya. He did not realise the world is not free from Maya. In order to open the eyes of the Lord, Goddess Parvati vanishes.

Goddess Parvati represents the physical form. After she vanishes nothing remains in the world. Land becomes barren and creatures become restless due to hunger. All of this opens Lord Shiva’s eyes. He understands the importance of the material side of the world. Seeing the suffering in the world, Goddess Parvati appears in Kashi in the form of Annapurna. There she sets up a kitchen and gives food to the creatures with her hands. Having found the Annapurna form of the Goddess, the whole world is again full of beauty and contentment.

According to ancient scriptures, Lord Shiva also becomes restless when there is a lack of food in Kashi. He then asks for food from Goddess Annapurna. Goddess Annapurna blesses Lord Shiva with a boon that anyone who comes under his refuge will never be deprived of money and wealth. They will always get her blessings.

Annapurna temple in Kashi

It is believed that Goddess Annapurna first incarnated Kashi, that’s why there is a huge temple situated at that place. Every year a Mela and special Puja are organised at this temple. Many devotees visit this temple on this day and take the blessings of Goddess Annapurna.

It is believed that Goddess Annapurna nurtures the world. When Goddess Parvati requests Lord Mahadev to reside in Kashi after marriage, he agrees. When they reach Kashi, they see a lot of suffering because of no food. Goddess Parvati established incarnates in the form of Annapurna in Kashi to provide food to everyone. Kashi is hence known as the Dham of Goddess Annapurna. As per Kashikhand, Lord Shiva is a householder and Goddess Bhavani runs the family. There is also a belief that no one stays hungry in Kashi. Goddess Annapurna herself pacifies everyone's hunger.

Annapurna Ashtami : Puja Vidhi

Goddess Annapurna is worshipped on the day of Annapurna Ashtami. It is believed that everything can be achieved by worshipping Goddess Annapurna. A Kalash is placed in front of the Goddess on this day. Puja should start only after bathing and wearing clean clothes. Lal Chunari should be offered to the Goddess.

All the sins of the devotee are destroyed by worshipping Annapurna. Ghee Deepak should be lit in front of the Goddess and Roli should be applied on her. Annapurna Puja should end by worshipping the Goddess. After the Aarti, Bhog should be distributed. Kanya Pujan should be performed on the day of Annapurna Ashtami. They should be presented with makeup items and worshipped just like Goddess Annapurna. Food should be offered to Brahmins as per one’s capability. Chhole, Puri, Halwa, and Kheer should be offered as Bhog. All the wishes of the devotee are fulfilled by performing Annapurna Puja.

Annapurna Puja and Stotra establishment by Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya impressed Goddess Annapurna with his Bhakti. According to a story, once upon a time when Shankaracharya visited Kashi, his health started deteriorating. He became physically weak. Goddess Annapurna incarnated herself in the form of a woman and pretended to take rest next to Shankaracharya. She was carrying an urn. When she was getting ready to move, she asked Shankaracharya for help.

Shankaracharya declined to help saying that he will not be able to pick the urn as he is feeling weak. In turn, Goddess asks Shankracharya to worship the Shakti form of Goddess to gain strength. This enlightens Shankaracharya and he starts worshipping the Goddess. He writes the following Stotra also known as the Annapurna Ashtami Stotra. He regains power by reciting this Stotra.

नित्यानन्दकरी वराभयकरी सौंदर्यरत्नाकरी।

निर्धूताखिल-घोरपावनकरी प्रत्यक्षमाहेश्वरी।

प्रालेयाचल-वंशपावनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी।

भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपुर्णेश्वरी।।

अन्नपूर्णे सदा पूर्णे शंकरप्राणवल्लभे।

ज्ञान वैराग्य-सिद्ध्‌यर्थं भिक्षां देहिं च पार्वति।।

माता च पार्वती देवी पिता देवो महेश्वरः।

बान्धवाः शिवभक्ताश्च स्वदेशो भुवनत्रयम्‌ II

Nityanandakari Varabhayakari Sushriratnakari ।

Nirdhutakhil-Ghorpavankari Pratyakshamaheshwari ।।

Pralayachal-Vanshpavankari Kashipuradhishwari ।

Bhikshan Dehi Kripavalambankari Mata Annapurneshwari ।।

Annapurna Sada Poorna Shankara Prana Vallabhe ।

Gyan Vairagya-Siddhayarthham Bhiksham Dehi Cha Parvati ।।

Mother Goddess Parvati Devi Pita Deo Maheshwara ।

Bandhwa Shiv Bhakt Ashta Swadeshi Bhuvanantrayam ।।