Annapurna Puja in Varanasi

Annapurna Puja samagri list

• Image or idol of Goddess Annapurna
• Red or yellow cloth for the altar
• Kalash with mango leaves and a coconut
• A vessel filled with rice or grains
• Flowers and a garland
• Kumkum, haldi and akshat
• Freshly cooked food for naivedya
• Fruits and sweets
• Ghee diya, incense and camphor
• Ganga jal

The Pandit confirms the final list for your family's vidhi, and Pandit ji can arrange the samagri in Varanasi at an additional cost, agreed after discussion.

Annapurna Puja vidhi, step by step

1. 1Preparation. An altar is set near the kitchen with an image of Goddess Annapurna, a kalash and a vessel filled with rice or grains.
2. 2Ganesh Pujan and sankalp. The puja begins with Ganesh Pujan and a sankalp in the family's name and gotra.
3. 3Avahan and shodashopachara. Goddess Annapurna is invoked and offered the sixteen upacharas, with special offerings of rice, grains and freshly cooked food.
4. 4Stotra path. The Annapurna Stotram attributed to Adi Shankaracharya is recited along with other prayers to the Goddess.
5. 5Naivedya and aarti. Home cooked naivedya is offered, followed by aarti with the whole family.
6. 6Anna daan. Where the family wishes, food is offered to guests, the needy or a cow as part of the puja.