Navadurga
Maa Annapurna Temple (Mahagauri)
Vishwanath Gali · near Kashi Vishwanath
History & traditions
Annapurna’s name connects food with fullness or abundance. In the local narrative, Shiva comes to the goddess for food, a story that gives the shrine’s offerings and annadanam tradition their significance. The same precinct is part of the Navadurga route on the eighth day and houses the Bhavani Gauri stop of the Navagauri route.
Deity & sacred image
- Deity or sacred figure
- Annapurna, the nourishing form of Parvati, revered here as Mahagauri during Navadurga
- Idol or shrine image
- The temple houses a brass icon and a gold icon. The gold icon is associated with a special festival darshan around Diwali. Check the temple’s arrangements if that is the purpose of your visit.
PILGRIMAGE CONTEXT
Navadurga
The Kashi Navadurga yatra associates each day of Navratri with a different local form of Durga. The Kashi Khanda also describes a family pilgrimage during autumn Navratri and singles out Durga Kund. If you are following the complete yatra, arrange the days around the festival calendar and ask for the local shrine names.