If you are visiting Varanasi, it is very likely that someone told you, “It’s spiritually rich place. Kashi Vishwanath Temple will be your destination. “But, only within the distance of a stroll away there is another temple which may not have been highlighted but offers immense benefits Annapurna Temple. Many visitors overlook the temple or reach there without any awareness of the correct timings of Annapurna Temple, leading to the doors being closed or too packed a scene, a scenario that is very annoying -especially in the holy city where your schedule can completely change your experience. In this post you will find all you need to know accurate timings of the temple, most favorable time for darshan, story, rituals, transportation route, and hints to make the trip peaceful and fruitful.
Annapurna Temple Varanasi Timings (Darshan & Aarti Schedule)
Taking a look at the temple timing will not only help you avoid the waistline situation but also give you time to have a relaxed darshan.
Daily Darshan Timings
| Time Slot | Schedule |
| Morning Opening | 5:00 AM |
| Afternoon Closing | 12:00 PM |
| Evening Reopening | 4:00 PM |
| Night Closing | 9:00 PM |
Aarti Timings
| Aarti Name | Timing |
| Mangala Aarti | 5:30 AM |
| Bhog Aarti | 12:00 PM |
| Sandhya Aarti | 7:00 PM |
Pro Tip: For a peaceful and less crowded darshan, plan your visit between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM in the morning.
History & Spiritual Significance of Annapurna Temple
Annapurna Temple in Varanasi is highly regarded as a place to worship Goddess Annapurna, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Through her, the goddess bestows and blesses with food and plenty. Located close to a very ancient and sacred place, Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This temple enjoys a special position in the spiritual landscape of Kashi, a place where eating is deemed as a sacred activity and the basis for the body and soul to be in a sound condition.
Historical Background
- Towers of the current temple are said to have been raised on the 18th世纪 by the support of the Marathas.
- This one is a temple that the temple authorities of Varanasi have restored over time after several downturns.
- The location of the temple near to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple indicates the fact of great spiritual and historical interdependence between Lord Shiva worship and the temple.
Mythological Significance
- In legend, once upon a time, Lord Shiva thought that the worldly things are a mere illusion (maya).
- It was only when Goddess Parvati left the picture entirely thereby causing a total collapse in availability of food and other means for existence that He began to understand that food was the key to sustenance and life of this world.
- To get a taste of the world She vanished and only showed up again in Varanasi as Goddess Annapurna who provided food and took care of everything.
- This event serves to remind us that food is not only a physical need, but also that spiritual development needs to have the foundation of food and nourishment.
Spiritual Importance
- This place stands as a symbol of people’s faith that food is a sacred gift of God and should thus never be treated with disrespect. To eat even the simplest of meals is to partake of the divinely sacred.
- Worshipers make requests for:
- Bumper harvests and flourishing business,
- Escaping the miseries of famine and the lack of food, and
- General well-being of the family and personal life.
It highlights the perfect harmony that should exist between a conscious individual (Shiva) and a power to nourish life (Shakti) as represented by the goddesses.
Unique Spiritual Practice
- A very large portion goes on daan (charity) and anna daan (food donation) activities.
- Serving people at large is an act that shows a devotee’s true devotion towards the god (seva).
- As part of their spiritual activities, a number of devotees are seen giving away food, etc.
Crucial takeaway: Annapurna Temple is not a place of mere worship but actually a living demonstration of how sharing one’s own food with others can become a very good way to reach God.
Best Time to Visit Annapurna Temple
Timing is the key to making the most of your visit.
Ideal Time of Day
- Early Morning: The lesser footfalls offer you a very peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.
- Evening Aarti: Though the place is a hive of activity due to large crowds, one gets a taste of the spiritual essence here.
Best Months to Visit
- October to March: The weather being agreeable and nice makes one want to be outdoors all day long.
- Peak summer (April-June) is the period when extreme heat makes an outdoor visit unbearable. So best to avoid visiting then.
Special Occasionsa
- After Diwali, the Annakut Festival is a remarkable sight with elaborate preparations.
- Navratri is the time of intense devotion; temples are packed and people sing and dance in joy and faith.
Straight up, if you are going for a festival, be prepared for huge crowds. If you want to avoid them, coming a little ahead of time would be your ticket.
Annapurna Temple Darshan Tips (Practical Advice)
It becomes quite challenging for tourists to decide exactly how to visit the temples in Varanasi, especially during the crowded time of the day on the narrow streets around the city center. Here is, however, a small tip to prepare a smooth and enjoyable visit to Annapurna Temple darshan.
What to Carry
- Barebones belongings to prevent delay during security inspection
- Carry a few notes for temple offerings or donations since most places might not be able to accept digital payments
- A pair of comfortable footwear, since your feet will feel all that narrow path walking
What to Avoid
- The biggest items or luggage and backpacking that may be restricted from entering the place.
- Time slots (12 PM -4 PM)
- The period in a day when the crowd and temperatures are at the maximum level
- Bringing unnecessary personal effects which you are afraid may be lost while visiting
Local Insight & Smart Tips
- Taking a tour with Kashi Vishwanath Temple can save a lot of your time
- Schedule the visit early in the morning (6 AM 8 AM) for a peaceful and less crowded atmosphere.
- The authorities in the temple premises have a set of rules to be followed regarding the use of the temple pathways and security so be mindful of them
- Festival time darshan is unpredictable in terms of queue length and crowd so allow for extra wait time
Secret Tip: Be up and out of bed at the first opportunity of the day, complete the darshan and then you can easily visit the nearby ghats and the local market, if not all, but you can still enjoy the Varanasi city tour.
Suggested 1-Day Itinerary (Varanasi with Assi Ghat)
Welcome, your pick-up is at your hotel
We will pick you up at hotel, station, or airport. Your spiritual journey will commence smoothly with comfortable transport.
Visit Ram Mandir Ayodhya Birthplace Temple
Marvel at the Grand Ram’s Temple and immerse yourself in the spiritual vibrations of one of the holiest places where the Godly Ram appeared.
Walking tour of Kanak Bhawan
Familiarize yourself with the gorgeous Kanak Bhawan, known not only for its artistic architecture but has great spiritual value as well.
Hanuman Garhi Darshan
Hanuman Garhi temple devoted to the great deity Lord Hanuman is one of the biggest ones in the city of Ayodhya.
Saryu River and its Ghat
You can find peace at the river Surya ghat and the sacred ambience of this holy river that devotees of God revere and worship for centuries will also be a treat to you.
Market & temple shopping
Explore the markets where you can pick up offerings, holy food items, and if you have the time, you will enjoy a tour of nearby temples.
End of tour
Our driver can leave you anywhere in Ayodhya. Things to Remember on Visiting Assi Ghat
Book Your Annapurna Temple Varanasi with Trip My Ayodhya
Plan and enjoy a spiritually enriching travel experience in a very convenient way through the expert assistance of Trip My Ayodhya. Being a reliable and trusted company for pilgrimage tour management, we ensure your tours from a temple to a temple go like a dream. We have customized tours and comfortable transport. You need not only get the spiritual darshan but also have an enjoyable time in visiting local tourist spots while you are there. With our services, you will not have hotel booking or travel planning worries, as everything is already well arranged by us.
Visit Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, and Vrindavan with a peace of mind as we handle things on our end so that you can devote your time and energy solely to experiencing a spiritual and religious trip. Select our package as the best of all your options if you want a hassle-free, pleasant, and unforgettable travel venture to the most holy places in India.
Bookings with Trip My Ayodhya What You Gain
- Customized Tours We make the itineraries according to how the customer needs time and expenditure-wise
- Travel in Comfort Our vehicles are kept in a good condition and the drivers are experienced
- Celebrating Priority Darshan You will be able to save the time at temple visits if we handle temple visits well
- Local Experts The tour is explained in detail with spiritual knowledge by an expert guide
- Lower Cost There is a combination of many services with competitive price and no hidden fees
- Available Anytime Service Customer support team will give you help for the rest of your adventure
- Integrated Services All the necessary services like stay, transport, and sightseeing have to only be asked for once
Also BOOK: Same Day Ayodhya Tour Package – Itinerary – Explore the top temples and spiritual attractions of Ayodhya in one day with a well-planned sightseeing itinerary.
Plan your upcoming trip with us and experience a divine journey like never before!
📞 Call Us: +91 7078723132 | +91 9557104160
📲 WhatsApp Us: +91 7078723132 | +91 9557104160
🌐 Visit Our Website: Trip My Ayodhya | Vrindavan Mathura Tourism
🔗Explore all our packages here 👉 Trip My Ayodhya Packages
🔗 Read Our Blogs for Travel Inspiration: Trip My Ayodhya Blog’s
How to Reach Annapurna Temple in Varanasi
Located in the ancient part of Varanasi close to the Kashi Vishwanath, the temples’ surroundings being so densely and closely built with narrow alleys, the very last segment of the journey should be made on foot.
By Air
- Closest Airport Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport located about 25 kilometers away
- Hiring taxis or cab would be a wise way to travel from the airport to Godowlia Chowk, which is the closest spot you can get with your vehicle to your destination.
By Train
- The train station closest to you is Varanasi Junction (Cantt) located only 5 km away.
- To get from Varanasi to Annapurna Temple, you can book a ride from Varanasi station to Godowlia. Then you will have to trek towards the temple since it is not possible to access it by vehicle.
By Road
- Godowlia Chauk: A significant spot where you get dropped off and where one can get around in a local taxi or a rickshaw.
- Walking about 5-10 min along the winding alleys of Godowlia is needed to arrive at the temple site.
Important Tip: Vehicles are not permitted inside the temple lanes, so be ready for a short walk. Wearing comfortable footwear is highly recommended.
Nearby Places to Visit
Use your time wisely to check out the following important locations, situated quite close to Annapurna Temple; majority of them can be easily reached on foot and even done by half a day’s walking.
- Kashi Vishwanath temple, Lord Shiva’s Jyotirlinga temple, the most revered place on the planet, is a few steps away from this sacred site.
- Dashashwamedh Ghat, this is the most well-known ghat in Varanasi as one of its major attractions is the Ganga Aarti, a massive water-lit ritual, which takes place each evening.
- Vishwanath Gali, the busiest lane, is lined with shops selling local sweets, souvenirs, and food stalls providing street food
More Places to Explore Nearby
- Manikarnika Ghat, one of the most ancient and revered cremation dhrams, the belief in Hindu about moksha or liberation of soul is connected to death and rituals of this place
- Assi Ghat, a relaxing ghat famous for sunrise photographs, yoga classes early morning and the atmosphere of few people are its highlights
- Kaal Bhairav Temple Dedicated to the protective divinity of Varanasi it is considered important to go to the temple if you want to have a complete Kashi darshan
- Annapurna Bhog Area (Temple Premises) a sacred place to witness the distribution of food offerings and other forms of charitable act done by the temple priests
- Gyanvapi Area historical and culturally rich area right beside Kashi Vishwanath temple
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and New a temple complex in a comparatively calm location and faraway from the crowded old part of the city
Holiday Guide: You can have a morning darshan of the temples starting from Annapurna, shop the Vishwanath Gali for snacks and breakfast, and finally enjoy the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh ghat with the sun setting in the night!
Conclusion
Annapurna Temple is not as well-known as Kashi Vishwanath, but it is very spiritually significant and provides a serene, meaningful visit, most of all, if one comes at the best time. In order to make a trip to Varanasi a very fulfilling one, one has to first find out the timing of Annapurna Temple, visit early to avoid crowded hours, and then take in some nearby places to enrich your trip even more. In planning a spiritual journey, referring to detailed Varanasi itinerary or darshan books will be very helpful to avoid travel mishaps and a perfect way of managing your visit.
FAQs About Annapurna Temple
What is Annapurna Mandir famous for?
Annapurna Mandir is famous for being dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, the deity of food and nourishment. It is especially celebrated by the anna daan (food donation) tradition where offering food to others is perceived as a spiritual act. Followers of Hindu tradition make pilgrimage here seeking the goddess’s blessing to have prosperity, fulfillment, and a hunger-free life.
Why is it called Annapurna?
Goddess Parvati has the form of an Annadana (provider of food), who is known as ‘Annapurna’, meaning the one who gives the world of food through the combination of Anna ‘which means food’ and Purna ‘which means completed’ in Sanskrit. The name is indicative of the goddess’ capacity as the provider of nourishment and food to every creature living in the universe.
What is another name for Annapurna?
Annapurna Goddess is a form of Parvati Goddess too. Region and locals’ traditions decide the name as Annapurna is also known as Annapurna Devi and Annapurneshwari.
What is the story behind Annapurna Devi?
Goddess Parvati disappeared after being insulted by Shiva saying material world and even food are just illusions. Due to this, there was a food shortage in the world. Parvati returned and came as Annapurna Devi first into Varanasi and fed the whole lot which included Lord Shiva himself. In this way the story illustrates that food plays a vital role in spiritual life as well.
Is there Annapurna Temple near Mathura, Uttar Pradesh?
This is the only place where you can not only get to know about the various aspects of Lord Vishnu’s life but also get a complete picture of His story in a beautiful way through the various carvings and paintings, etc. There is a very famous temple at Vrindavan, 3km away from the city Mathura, where Lord Krishna killed Keshi demon on Keshi Ghat, which was a major part of His struggle for justice and love.
Is there Annapurna Temple near Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh?
Vrindavan is primarily famous for Radha-Krishna temples. While there may be smaller shrines dedicated to Annapurna Devi, the most prominent and well-known Annapurna Temple is located in Varanasi.
What are the timings of the Annapurna Temple in Varanasi?
In general, the temple opens at approximately 5:00 AM and remains open till 12:00 PM. After that, it reopens at about 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. There could be slight changes in the timings according to festivals or special days.
What is the story of Annapurna Temple in Varanasi?
This temple is associated very much with the legend of Goddess Annapurna’s serving Lord Shiva food in Varanasi. It signifies the devotion that Kashi is the city where no devout ever leaves hungry and where food is sacred.
What is the timing for distributing Annapurna Mandir prasad?
Prasad is usually offered after big rituals, especially at midday Bhog Aarti and sometimes towards evening. But it may happen on a particular day according to the crowd.
How far is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple from Annapurna Temple, Varanasi
Being one of the popular temples, Annapurna Temple is only about 100 to 200 meters away from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Only a short walk connects the two temples.
How can one donate at Kashi Annapurna Temple?
Donations can be made directly at the temple with the help of donation boxes and counters. Some devotees do food donations (anna daan) which are very auspicious.
Which is a temple with an Annapurna Devi in Karnataka?
Besides being well known Annapurna temple, the Horanadu Chalukeya Annapoorneshwari temple also has the Annapurna idol. The Chikkamagaluru district is its location. It serves free breakfast and lunch to the devotees and it is a major feature of its tradition.
