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This is the story of how Goddess Durga took the compassionate form of Shakambhari, the Nourishing Mother, to save the world from a century-long famine.
Characters in the story:
Goddess Shakambhari: Shakambhari, also referred to as Shatakshi, is a goddess of nourishment. She is regarded to be an incarnation of Adi Parashakti and dentified with Durga.
Goddess Durga: Goddess Durga is a prominent Hindu deity who is revered as a symbol of power, courage, and divine feminine energy. She is known by various names such as Devi, Shakti, Bhavani, and Parvati, and is believed to be the manifestation of the supreme goddess.
Long ago, when a demon named Durgamma wreaked havoc, causing famine and drought, the earth fell under the shadow of great suffering.
For one hundred years, not a single drop of rain touched the ground. Rivers dried into memory, fields cracked open like parched skin, and the forests withered into silence. The skies remained empty, and the winds carried nothing but dust and despair. This was not just a drought — it was a test of life itself.
Crops failed. Cattle perished. People wandered like shadows, their eyes hollow from hunger. Even the wise sages, who could survive on little, grew frail. The earth groaned, and hope dimmed like a dying flame.
The Cry of the Heavens
Witnessing the terrible suffering, the gods were moved. From their celestial abodes, they looked down upon the starving world and saw that only divine grace could save it now. In unison, they turned to Durga, the Supreme Mother, the embodiment of Shakti — divine feminine power. With folded hands and trembling voices, they offered prayers:
“O Jagatjanani, Mother of the Universe, only you can rescue creation from this calamity. The world is crying for food, for life. Come, O compassionate one, and nurture your children.”
The Manifestation of Shakambhari
Hearing their plea, Durga was deeply moved. Her heart, vast and tender as the sky, could not bear the pain of her children. And so, in a brilliant flash of divine light, she manifested herself as Shakambhari — the Bearer of Vegetables, She Who Nourishes with Plants.
In this unique and sacred form, the Goddess appeared draped in garments woven from vines, herbs, and leaves. Her entire being shimmered with the hues of nature — greens of the forest, golds of ripe grain, and reds of blooming fruit. Her eyes overflowed with tears — not of sorrow, but of boundless compassion.
And with every tear that fell from her eyes, life returned to the earth.
Where her tears touched the soil, lush green plants sprang up instantly — trees heavy with fruits, fields of golden wheat, gardens of vegetables, and meadows of healing herbs. Rivers flowed again, skies turned gentle, and the land awakened as if from a long nightmare.
The Divine Mother Who Feeds
The starving people gathered around her, their hands trembling with both reverence and hunger. And Shakambhari fed them not just with food, but with life itself. Every fruit and grain that grew was an extension of her own form — a gift from her divine body. In every leaf and root, her love was present.
She didn’t just end the famine — she restored faith. She reminded the world that even in its darkest hour, the Mother watches, the Mother provides.
From that day forward, she became known not just as a warrior who slays demons, but as Shakambhari — the Provider, the Nourisher, the Earth’s Healer.
Legacy and Worship
To this day, in regions like Rajasthan and North India, devotees honor her as Shakambhari Devi, especially during times of drought or during harvest festivals. Special offerings of vegetables, fruits, and grains are laid before her — not merely as food, but as symbols of gratitude to the Mother who once fed the world from her own essence.
The main temple of Shakambhari Devi is located in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, nestled in the mountain range. It is one of the oldest and most visited temples after Vaishno Devi. Another significant temple stands near Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan, beside the vast dry salt plains.
Shakambhari Navratri is an eight-day festival celebrated in North and West India, observed from Paush Shukla Ashtami to Paush Purnima.
In every storm, famine, or hardship, there lies a power that watches over — not with indifference, but with love deep enough to turn tears into nourishment.
Goddess Shakambhari reminds us that true strength lies not only in slaying demons, but in healing a broken world.
