With legends dating back to Lord Shiva, the ornately-designed Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple in Chikmagulur district is worth a visit.
On the banks of the River Bhadra, in a remote part of Chikamagalur district, Karnataka, is a the town of Horanadu. This little-known town is also known for the famous Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple. The lush vegetation of this place, its thickly-wooded forests and unmatched natural beauty beckons even the most casual passerby into its midst.
Many visitors of all ages, religions, castes and genders come here to worship and are welcomed wholeheartedly. Since the reigning deity is Goddess Annapoorna or the Goddess of Plentiful food for all, devotees are given a three-course vegetarian meal.
Location
In the dense forests and valley’s of the Western Ghats, Karnataka, you will come across the famous Annapoorneshwari Temple. This temple is also known as “Sri Kshethra Horanadu”, and is situated on the River Bhadra in a distant part of Chikkamagaluru district.
History
According to legend, Horanadu Annapoorneshwari temple was originally built by Sage Agasthya. Its main attraction is its main deity, the ‘Sri Adishktyatmaka Annapurneshwari Ammanavara Devastana’ created entirely in gold. The ancient temple of Goddess Annapoorneshwari was restored and renamed as Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shree Annapoorneshwari.
When it was first built, this temple was very small and inconspicuous until the fifth Dharmakarthari, Sri D. B. Venkatasubba Jois renovated it according to Vastu and astrological principles. In 1973, he performed the temple’s Punarprathisthapan. Further, the Mahakumbhabhishekam of this temple was performed by none other than Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Abhinava Vidyathirtha Mahaswamiji of Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri.
The Navgraha Temple was constructed by the sixth Dharmakarthari who also set up the steam cooking system in the temple kitchen. He also built guest houses for pilgrims and a labour colony.
Inside the temple
In this temple, the goddess is depicted as standing on a stool with Shanku, Chakra, Sri Chakra and Devi Gayathri in her four hands. Devotees of this goddess believe that if they seek her blessings, they will never lack food in their lives. In fact, according to legend, Lord Shiva was cursed but when he came to this temple and accepted alms from Goddess Annapoorneshwari, he was absolved of the curse.
Temple timings
The temple remains open each day from 6.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
How to get to Horanadu
- By air, the closest airport is the Mangalore Domestic Airport. There are regular flights to Mangalore from Chennai and Bengaluru.
- By rail, Shimoga railway station is the closest.
- By road, you can reach Horanadu town by bus from Mysore, Shimoga, Mangalore and Bengaluru.
Perhaps you’re a nature lover, an adventure freak or someone wanting a quiet tryst with serenity. Whatever excites you, you will find at Horanadu.
This town also throws up opportunities for exploring nearby places like Sringeri, Kudremukh and its sanctuaries and Kalasa.
For more details about Horanadu Annapoorneshwari temple and its surrounding places, please call us on +91-82965-38447 or email us at contact@incrediblemalnad.com.
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