ANNADHANAM:
FOOD OFFERING
ANNADHAANAM: FOOD=LOVE
The literal translation of Annadhaanam is food offering or giving a meal.
In temples around India, food is offered at no charge to devotees or guests visiting the temple.
Annadhaanam began in 1999 at Sri Narayani Peedam,
then extended to local schools, shelters for children and adults with special needs or disabilities, as well as local government-run orphanages.
Photo: Anna dhaanam program in 1999.
Why is Annadhaanam essential?
Every soul is a drop from the same ocean. Every soul is connected to their physical body. When the physical body feels hunger, the mind and soul get disturbed. When you feed a person, they will feel satisfied and happy. When the body is satisfied, the soul is satisfied.
It is only by feeding a person that one can truly satisfy them. No other form of charity can do this. When someone else is happy, you will also feel happy because we all come from the same Divinity.
Early days at Sri Narayani Peedam's Annapoorani Mandapam Dining Hall 2003. Annapoorani Mandapam, the Dining Hall which takes its name from the Goddess of Food and Grains
Six million people visit Sr Narayani Peedam every year from all over India and the world. Everyone receives a free meal. No exceptions.
This is the dining hall in Sripuram where visitors have a sit down lunch everyday, from 12-3pm, when the temple is fully operational. In all, we serve food to 5000 people a day 8am - 8pm at no cost.
When you serve or honor a person, it is considered the same as honoring the Divine. The Divine is in all. When you see the Divine in each individual, and serve from the heart, this is an even more meaningful way of doing puja (ritual).
Nutritious food
is life and health
The source and nutritional composition of the food provided is excellent as well as health-giving, as guided by Ayurvedic principles. All South Indian meals are served on a banana leaf (composted afterward through Exnora recycling center, so there is no waste.) A typical meal includes locally sourced rice, a vegetable curry, sourced from the Green Sakthi vegetable garden and local farmers; Sambar, a lentil dish for protein and Rasam, a sour-tasting soup with cumin seeds & pepper, which aids digestion and boosts immunity.
Athithi Devo Bhava:
To treat a guest like God.
