Kathmandu - Annapurna Mandir

Amidst the busy fruit and vegetable stalls in Asan Square stands a little triple-roofed temple dedicated to Annapurna. As an aspect of Lakshmi, goddess of plenty, much attention is showered on her temple; it is in consequence exceptionally richly embellished. The goddess is represented by a silver kalasha (vase) in a Naga's embrace, a symbol of cornucopian abundance. The cult of Annapurna originated in Varanasi; the goddess was greatly revered by the Shahs and Ranas in the 19th and early 20th c.