In Sanatan tradition, Mother Annapurna is considered the presiding deity of food, prosperity and nutrition. Once Lord Shiva told Mother Parvati that this world is false and food is also only a form of illusion. Mother Parvati was extremely distressed by these words of God. He thought that if the very basis of food and life is false, then it is necessary to explain its importance to the world.
Mother Parvati immediately made her Annapurna form disappear from the world. As soon as they became extinct, there was a severe famine on the earth. Fields dried up, rivers shrank, trees and plants withered and animals began to suffer from hunger. Even the sages became incapable of performing yagya and penance. There was a food crisis all around.
When Lord Shiva saw this pitiful condition of the world, he realized his mistake. He came to know that food not only nourishes the body but is also the basis of religion, work and life. Without food, no sadhana, yagya or service is possible. Then Mother Parvati appeared in the divine form of Mother Annapurna in the city of Kashi. He had a golden vessel and a pot full of grains in his hand. He started feeding hungry people with love. Lord Shiva himself also approached Mother Annapurna with an alms bowl and humbly asked for alms.
Mother provided food to Lord Shiva with her own hands. At that very moment God accepted that food is the basis of life and it is the duty of every living being to respect it. Since then, special worship of Mata Annapurna started taking place in Kashi. It is believed that one who remembers Mother Annapurna with devotion, there is never any shortage of food and money in his house. Every grain of food is considered an offering to God, hence it should never be disrespected. This story teaches us that food is not just food but a gift from God. Respecting it, preserving it and sharing it with the needy is a symbol of true devotion and humanity.
