In her Kashipuradishwari form, Goddess Parvati is revered as the sovereign deity of the city of Kashi, also known as Varanasi or Benaras. This ancient and holy city is renowned as a significant spiritual center in Hinduism, and Parvati, as Kashipuradishwari, symbolizes the city's divine feminine authority, ruling alongside her husband, Lord Shiva. The title Kashipuradishwari translates to the "Queen of Kashi," underscoring her paramount status in this sacred locale.
In Kashi, Goddess Parvati is especially venerated as Goddess Annapurna, a manifestation that epitomizes her role as the provider of sustenance. Annapurna means "the giver of food" (Anna: food; Purna: filled completely). As Annapurna, she ensures the nourishment and well-being of all living beings, reflecting the deep spiritual belief in her as the ultimate source of life and sustenance. This benevolent aspect of Parvati highlights her maternal and nurturing characteristics, emphasizing her importance in daily life and spirituality.
A poignant representation of her boundless generosity is the depiction of Lord Shiva himself standing before her with a bowl, seeking alms. This imagery conveys the idea that even the mighty Shiva, the destroyer and regenerator of the universe, acknowledges the supremacy of Annapurna's life-giving powers. It symbolizes the interdependence of creation and destruction, sustenance and dissolution, embodied in the divine couple.
The reverence for Parvati as Kashipuradishwari and Annapurna is poetically celebrated in the Sri Sri Annapurna Stotram. This devotional hymn extols her virtues and magnanimity, inviting devotees to seek her blessings for food, prosperity, and spiritual nourishment. The stotram encapsulates the essence of Parvati's dual role as the regal protector of Kashi and the compassionate mother figure who provides for all.
Thus, Goddess Parvati, in her forms as Kashipuradishwari and Annapurna, holds a central place in the spiritual landscape of Kashi. Her worship integrates themes of divine rulership, maternal care, and the sustenance of life, making her an enduring symbol of benevolence and spiritual sustenance in Hindu belief.