Goddess Annapurna

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Feasting with the Divine: The Significance of Goddess Annapurna in Hindu Culture

Goddess Annapurna is one of the main deities in Hindu culture and is worshiped by many people around the world. She is considered one of the manifestations of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. There are many temples dedicated to Annapurna Devi in India such as Annapurna Devi Mandir in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh where she is worshiped as the queen of Varanasi alongside Vishweshwar (Lord Shiva). Thousands and lakhs of people from different parts of the world visit this temple to take the blessings of Goddess Annapurna. The appearance of the Goddess is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya and on this auspicious day, people buy gold jewelry. The glories and stories of Annapurna Devi are mentioned in various Vedic literature such as the Skanda Purana, the Annapurna Upanishad, and the Linga Purana.

She is depicted as a young, beautiful woman with a bright face. She typically possesses four hands and has a third eye on her forehead. She is often portrayed seated on a royal throne, bedecked with jewels, and wearing a crown with a crescent moon on her head.

What is Annapurna the goddess of?

The Vedic scriptures mention Goddess Annapurna as the Goddess of food and nourishment. She is a special form of Parvati who promised to take care of all living entities on earth by providing them with sufficient food. Food is necessary for our growth and development. If you look at the iconography of Goddess Annapurna, you will find her holding a pot filled with porridge in one of her hands. Without food, we will not be able to maintain our bodies, that act like a vehicle to the path of Godhead (the ultimate goal of human life). The Annapurna Upanishad also mentions Goddess Annapurna to be the source of all wisdom. Therefore, being merciful upon all souls, Goddess Annapurna not only offers nourishment to the body but also enlightens us to take the shelter of the Supreme Lord Vishnu.

Are Annapurna and Parvati the same?

Yes, Devi Annapurna and Devi Parvati are non-different from each other. There comes a story in the Vedic literature that describes how Goddess Parvati took the form of Annapurna to show her consort Lord Shiva her importance and how the world would not survive without her offering of food. It is believed that the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi was built by Lord Shiva in her honor.

How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?

Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.

Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.

• The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.

• To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.

• In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth. 

Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.