Annapurna Devi Mandir, Varanasi: History, Timings & Visitor Guide

Annapurna Devi Mandir is open every day, usually from early morning to late evening with a break in the afternoon. Darshan and aarti timings change with the season and on festival days.

• MorningOpens early morning (around 5 to 6 AM)
• AfternoonShort break around midday at many temples
• EveningEvening aarti around sunset, closes by about 8 to 9 PM

Ask the temple office on arrival for the day's aarti schedule.

Dress Code & Temple Rules

• DressModest, traditional clothes covering shoulders and knees
• FootwearRemove before entering; use the shoe stand
• PhotographyNot allowed inside the sanctum
• Not AllowedLeather items, tobacco, alcohol, non-veg food
• QueueFollow queue lines and staff instructions on festival days

Annapurna Devi Mandir was constructed in 1729 AD by Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao. Currently the Mandir comes under Annapurna Math.

The temple is constructed in Nagara architecture and has sanctum with large pillared porch, which houses a picture of goddess Annapurna. The temple also houses two idols of the goddess; one made of gold and other of brass. The brass idol is available for daily darshan (viewing & worship). The gold idol can be only seen once a year; on Annakut day. The golden idol of goddess Annapurna is sitting on a lotus, while next to the brass idol load Shiva is standing begging for food.

The temple is believed to be the only temple in the country which is of the form of Shri-Yantra. The outer and inner walls of the temple are adorned with intricate carvings of ancient Hindu tales, flowers and geometric patterns.

Legend & Significance

In Hindu mythology, there are two popular beliefs behind the origin of this temple.

According to one belief, once the goddess Parvati closed all three eyes of her husband Shiva. Due to this, the entire world was filled with darkness. Parvati lost her fair complexion (Gauri form). She asked Shiva for his help to reacquire her Gauri form. Shiva asked her to donate anna (food) in Varanasi. Hence, she took the form of Annapurna (the goddess of food) with a golden pot and ladle, and donated food in Varanasi.