Who Is Goddess Annapurna?
Goddess Annapurna is the form of Mata Parvati who provides anna (food) to all beings. Her name means 'full of food', and she is shown holding a golden ladle and a vessel of kheer, feeding even Lord Shiva.
A famous story tells that when Shiva once called the material world an illusion, Parvati, to show that food and nourishment are real and sacred, vanished - and the world faced hunger. She then reappeared as Annapurna in Kashi (Varanasi) and fed everyone, including Shiva himself, teaching that food is divine and must always be honoured.
Annapurna Jayanti 2026 - Date
📅 Tithi: Margashirsha Purnima 🗓️ Date: Thursday, 24 December 2026
Annapurna Jayanti is celebrated on the full-moon day of Margashirsha. It falls close to Dattatreya Jayanti, both around Margashirsha Purnima. Confirm the Purnima timing in your local panchang.
Annapurna Jayanti Puja Vidhi
On this day the kitchen and the cooking hearth (chulha) are worshipped as the seat of the goddess:
1. Clean the kitchen thoroughly the day before. 2. In the morning, bathe and clean the stove and grains. Place an image of Annapurna or Parvati near the cooking area. 3. Offer roli, akshat, flowers, a ghee lamp and incense to the stove and the goddess. 4. Cook fresh satvik food and offer the first portion (bhog) to the goddess before anyone eats. 5. Chant the Annapurna mantra and feed family, guests and especially the hungry. 6. Anna daan (donating food) is the most cherished act of the day - feed the needy or donate grains.
Mantra & Benefits
Annapurna mantra: Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Annapurnayai Namah
The famous prayer: Annapurne Sadapurne Shankara Prana Vallabhe, Gyana Vairagya Siddhyartham Bhiksham Dehi Cha Parvati (O Annapurna, ever full, beloved of Shankara, grant me the alms of knowledge and detachment, O Parvati.)
Benefits:
- Blessing of never lacking food and nourishment
- Abundance, prosperity and a happy home
- A grateful heart that never wastes food
- Peace and contentment in the family
The deepest practice of this day is gratitude - to bless every meal, never waste a grain, and share food with those who have less.
Reader Questions Answered
When is Annapurna Jayanti in 2026?+
Annapurna Jayanti 2026 falls on Margashirsha Purnima, Thursday 24 December. It is celebrated close to Dattatreya Jayanti. Confirm the Purnima tithi in your local panchang.
Why is the kitchen worshipped on Annapurna Jayanti?+
Goddess Annapurna is the giver of food, so the kitchen and cooking hearth are honoured as her seat. Worshipping them is a way of thanking the goddess for the nourishment of the home.
What is the Annapurna mantra?+
The seed mantra is 'Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Annapurnayai Namah'. The well-loved prayer 'Annapurne Sadapurne Shankara Prana Vallabhe...' is also recited, asking the goddess for the alms of knowledge and detachment.
What is the main message of Annapurna Jayanti?+
To honour food as divine - never waste it, bless every meal, and share with the hungry. Anna daan (donating food) on this day is considered one of the highest acts of charity.
About the author
Pandit Mahesh Trivedi · Festival Traditions & Panchang
Pandit Mahesh leads the festival-date and Panchang content on Vandnaa. He cross-references multiple regional panchangs (Drik, Vaishnava, Bengali, Marathi) for every festival date published on the site.
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