Annapurna Jayanti 2026: Date (23 December), Story of Annapurna Devi of Kashi, Puja and Food Donation

Quick answer: Annapurna Jayanti 2026 falls on Wednesday 23 December 2026 (calculated; confirm on Drik Panchang). It is observed on Margashirsha Purnima, the full moon of the month, which is also Datta Jayanti in 2026. The day honours Annapurna Devi, the form of Parvati who gives food to the world and who is worshipped above all in Kashi (Varanasi). The simplest and truest way to keep it is to cook with care, offer the food to the goddess, and feed someone who is hungry.

This guide has been restored at its original hindutone.com address. The date is calculated by HinduTone's panchang calculator, which we have checked against Drik Panchang, and should be confirmed for your city.

Annapurna Jayanti 2026 date

Source: HinduTone calculator, validated against Drik Panchang (New Delhi). The Purnima tithi is calculated to begin in the late morning of 23 December (India time) and to last until early on 24 December. Families who follow a different rule for Purnima observances should check their local panchang. We do not list muhurat clock times.

The story of Annapurna Devi, as commonly told

The best-known story is told in many forms. Details vary between tellings; this is the version as commonly told.

Once, Shiva and Parvati were talking about the world. Shiva said that the world is only maya, an illusion, and that even food is part of that illusion. Parvati, who is the mother of the material world, wanted to show how much life depends on food. She disappeared from the world, and with her went all nourishment. The earth became barren, food vanished, and gods, sages and people all suffered from hunger.

Seeing this, Shiva understood the importance of food. Parvati then appeared in Kashi as Annapurna, with a golden vessel and ladle, and opened a kitchen to feed the hungry. Shiva himself came to her with a begging bowl, and she served him food with her own hands. In pictures, Shiva is often shown as Bhikshatana, the holy beggar, receiving alms from Annapurna.

The message is simple: food is sacred. It sustains the body so that we can pursue dharma and knowledge, and it should never be wasted or denied to the hungry.

The Annapurna temple in Varanasi

Kashi is the city of Shiva, and Annapurna is said to be the one who feeds it. It is a common belief that no one in Kashi goes to sleep hungry because of her grace. Her temple, the Annapurna Devi Mandir, stands in the old city close to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, and pilgrims usually visit both.

The temple is especially known for its Annakoot, a 'mountain of food' made of many dishes and sweets, offered to the goddess and later distributed as prasada. The Annakoot is generally held around the Diwali period. The temple is also associated with annadanam, the free feeding of devotees.

We do not list darshan times, festival schedules or seva details. For current arrangements on Annapurna Jayanti or any other day, check the temple's official website or local announcements, and expect crowds in the narrow lanes near the Vishwanath temple.

Annapurna stotram verse

Adi Shankaracharya's Annapurna Stotram is widely recited on this day. Its best-known verse is:

Annapurne sadapurne Shankara prana vallabhe, jnana vairagya siddhyartham bhiksham dehi cha Parvati.

Meaning: 'O Annapurna, always full, beloved of Shankara, O Parvati, give me alms so that I may attain knowledge and detachment.' The devotee asks not only for food but for the inner nourishment of wisdom.

How to celebrate Annapurna Jayanti 2026 at home

1. Clean the kitchen thoroughly the evening before. Many families treat the kitchen as Annapurna's own space on this day.
2. Bathe early. Place a picture of Annapurna Devi, or a vessel of rice, in the puja room or kitchen.
3. Worship the stove, the rice or grain container and the cooking vessels with turmeric, kumkum and flowers.
4. Cook a simple sattvic meal, such as rice, dal, kheer or another favourite sweet. Offer it to the goddess first.
5. Recite the Annapurna stotram verse above, or chant 'Om Annapurnayai Namah'.
6. Eat together as a family, waste nothing, and thank everyone who grew, carried and cooked the food.

Some people fast until the puja is done. Anyone with a health condition, pregnant women, children and older people should not keep a strict fast.

Food donation: the heart of the day

Annapurna Jayanti is a natural day for anna daanam, the gift of food. You could:

• Cook an extra portion and share it with a neighbour, a worker or someone in need.
• Donate dry rations or money to a food bank, shelter or temple annadanam programme.
• Feed cows, birds or animals, as many families traditionally do.
• Teach children to take only what they will eat, and to respect every grain.

For NRI families

• Check your local date: Use Drik Panchang for your city. Do not convert India's times.
• Combine with Datta Jayanti: In 2026 both fall on the same full moon, so you can plan one evening of worship.
• Winter food drives: In the northern hemisphere, late December is cold, and food banks often need help. A donation is a fitting offering.
• Temples abroad: Some temples run annadanam programmes. Check their own websites for how to volunteer or donate.

Frequently asked questions

When is Annapurna Jayanti 2026?

Annapurna Jayanti 2026 is on Wednesday 23 December 2026, on Margashirsha Purnima. This date is calculated by HinduTone and should be confirmed on Drik Panchang. Datta Jayanti falls on the same day.

Who is Annapurna Devi?

Annapurna is a form of Goddess Parvati as the giver of food and nourishment. Her name means 'full of food'. She is usually shown holding a vessel of food and a ladle, and she is the presiding goddess of food in Kashi (Varanasi).

Where is the Annapurna temple in Varanasi?

The Annapurna Devi temple stands in the old city of Varanasi, close to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Devotees often visit both together. For current darshan arrangements, check the temple's official website or local announcements.

What is the Annakoot at the Annapurna temple?

Annakoot means 'mountain of food'. The Annapurna temple in Varanasi is known for its Annakoot, when a large display of food is offered to the goddess and later shared as prasada. It is generally held around the Diwali period; check the temple for each year's arrangements.

How can I celebrate Annapurna Jayanti at home?

Clean the kitchen, worship the stove and grain store, cook a simple sattvic meal and offer it to Annapurna before eating. Most importantly, give food to someone in need, or donate to a food bank or annadanam programme.

Is the date the same outside India?

Not always. The Purnima is calculated for each location, so the date abroad can differ by a day. Check Drik Panchang for your own city; do not convert India's times.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. The date is calculated by HinduTone's panchang calculator and checked against Drik Panchang; please confirm it for your city. The story of Annapurna is presented as commonly told. The Annapurna temple and its Annakoot are described in general terms; we have not listed darshan times, schedules or seva details, which the temple announces itself.

Related guides

• Datta Jayanti 2026
• Margasira Pournami 2026
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
• December 2026 Hindu festival calendar
• Govardhan Puja and Annakut 2026
• Gita Jayanti 2026