Kashi's Annapurna Temple to distribute coins worth ₹10 lakh on Diwali

In Kashi, the city of religion and spirituality, the festival of Diwali is celebrated in an extremely special manner. Here, Diwali is not merely a one-day festival, but a grand celebration spanning five days. During these festivities, a treasure worth lakhs of rupees is distributed among devotees at the ancient Maa Annapurna Temple, located near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This year, the temple management has made preparations to distribute coins worth approximately ₹8 to 10 lakh.

According to reports, devotees will be able to have darshan of the golden form of Maa Annapurna from Dhanteras until the Annakut Mahotsav. The temple administration expects approximately 8 to 10 lakh devotees to visit the temple during this period. Along with the prasad, devotees will take home the 'treasure' of the Mother, which includes coins made of various metals. It is believed that keeping this treasure received from Maa Annapurna's court at home ensures that there is never a shortage of wealth and grain, and that happiness, prosperity, and blessings remain in the family. For this reason, lakhs of devotees from various parts of the country reach Kashi every year to be part of this unique tradition.

This year, a special auspicious yoga is forming on Dhanteras. According to belief, this day will bring prosperity to the country and treasuries will be filled. On this occasion, during the Abhijit Muhurat in the early morning, Maa Annapurna will be worshipped and aarti will be performed according to rituals. Subsequently, the treasure and a silver treasure weighing 21 kg will be worshipped. A specialty of the temple is that the golden idol of Maa Annapurna is visible for only five days in the year.

According to the schedule, on November 6, the day of Dhanteras, darshan of the golden form and distribution of the treasure will take place from 5 am to 11:30 pm. Devotees can receive this treasure until the temple closes. Thereafter, from November 7 to November 10, darshan of Bhagwati Annapurna will be available daily from 4 am to 11:15 pm. On the fifth day, November 10, the Annakut Mahotsav will be organised. On this day, a grand display of laddoos will be decorated in the temple, and the Maha-aarti of the Mother will be performed at 11:30 pm. After this aarti, the doors to the golden Annapurna will be closed for one year.

Mahant Shankarpuri of the ancient Annapurna Temple stated that the golden darshan of Maa Annapurna will begin from the morning of Dhanteras, and the treasure will be distributed during the darshan. Upon reaching the first floor of the temple, devotees will first be given 'lava' as prasad, followed by the treasure, after which they can have darshan of the golden Maa Annapurna. According to the Mahant, the treasure will be distributed from 5 am to 11:30 pm on Dhanteras, and the sequence of darshan will continue for the next four days.

In the Annakut Mahotsav to be held on the fifth day, 100 types of delicacies, sweets, and raw offerings will be presented to Maa Annapurna. After the puja is completed, all these offerings will be distributed among the devotees. Mahant Shankarpuri further clarified that coins of eight types of metals are given as treasure. This includes currently circulating currency as well as old and demonetised coins. This year, preparations are in place to distribute coins worth approximately ₹8 to 10 lakh.

The history and belief behind this tradition are also significant. Mahant Shankarpuri mentioned that the distribution of Maa Annapurna's treasure is an ancient tradition. It is believed that Baba Vishwanath had asked Maa Annapurna for prasad. Carrying this tradition forward, the five-day Diwali festival is organised every year. Devotees have an unwavering faith that taking the treasure and offerings from the Mother's court home brings prosperity to the family; therefore, people keep these coins safely in their homes with great faith.

The temple management has guided devotees to reach the temple via Bansphatak through Gate Number 1, from the direction of Dhundhiraj. A heavy rush of devotees is expected at the temple during these days from Dhanteras to Annakut.