Newari Pauba of Annapurna

Newari Pauba of Annapurna is handpainted by Mandala artists in Kathmandu Nepal. It is handpainted in cotton canvas with natural colors. Annapurna is also known as Parvati.

Annapurna is presented at the center of the thangka. To demonstrate the importance of her manifestation of all that is material, she disappeared from the world. Her disappearance brought time to a standstill and the earth became barren.

Iconography of Annapurna

Annapoorna is a youthful goddess having a red complexion with a face round like a full moon, three eyes, high breasts, and four hands. The lower left hand is depicted holding a vessel full of delicious porridge and the right with a golden ladle adorned with various kinds of jewels. The other two hands depict Abhaya and Vrata pose.

She is depicted with a wristlet and golden jewelry that rests on the chest. She is seated on a throne with a crest of moon adorning her head. In some depictions, Shiva is shown standing to her right with a begging bowl, begging her for alms.

Shankara in Annapoorna Stotra described the deity always holding a scripture, Akshamala, and opener of doors of Moksha in her hands in place of vessel and ladle, indicating his prayer to Annapoorna being spiritual perfection rather than food.