Shri Annapoorneshwari Temple - Horanadu
🖼️ Photo Gallery
🛕 Temple Info
Nestled in the lush green heart of the Western Ghats on the serene banks of the river Bhadra, Sri Kshetra Horanadu is home to the divine Adishakthyathmaka Sri Annapoorneshwari Devi. Surrounded by thick forests and natural beauty, the temple stands as a sacred destination that welcomes all devotees regardless of caste, creed, or language. The enchanting golden idol of Goddess Annapoorneshwari, holding a conch, discus, Sri Chakra, and a carving of Gayatri Devi, radiates spiritual grandeur and divine energy. The temple is not only a center of worship but also a symbol of compassion, as every visitor is served Annaprasadam—freshly prepared food, tea/coffee, and snacks—throughout the day.
Approaching the sanctum involves ascending a graceful flight of steps beneath a grand entrance arch adorned with the forms of Sri Lakshmi and Sri Saraswati. The mantapa and gopuram feature intricate carvings and vibrant depictions of Hindu deities. The inner sanctum, encircled by Adi Sesha, rests on a Padma Peetha comprising symbolic elements like Koorma and Ashta Gaja.
Traditional attire is observed strictly:
- Men must remove shirts and cover shoulders with a stole or shawl.
- Women must be fully covered in sarees or chudidars.
Like Kasi, there are temples for Siva, Bindu Madhavi, Kala Bhairava, and Bhadrakali. The main deity, Annapurneswari, is near Siva, just like in Kasi.
There is a massive arch at the entrance of the temple. The images of the deities Sri Lakshmi and Sri Saraswathi are to be seen. One must go through a series of steps to visit the primary deity. There is a tiled mandapa, and from there, one can go to the sanctum of the Devi. The goddess is decorated with gold ornaments. She stands on a Peetham holding a conch, a discus, a Sri chakram and a carving of Goddess Gayatri Devi.
💫 Importance
Goddess Annapoorneshwari is revered as the divine embodiment of nourishment and abundance. According to Hindu belief, invoking her blessings ensures there will be no scarcity of food in life. The temple follows this tradition by feeding every devotee who visits the shrine. Known as Adi-Shakti, the goddess is worshipped here in a tradition believed to be second only to the sacred city of Kashi (Varanasi).
The temple opens its doors wide to everyone and offers a powerful message of unity, service, and devotion. The Navaratri festival and Akshaya Tritiya are celebrated with grandeur and attract thousands of devotees.
📜History
The original prathistapana (installation) of the deity is attributed to Sage Agasthya Maharishi centuries ago. The temple’s management and spiritual continuity were upheld by the hereditary Dharmakartharu family for the past 400 years. Until the 5th Dharmakartharu, the temple remained modest, hidden in nature’s embrace, yet it continued the tradition of pooja and annadanam unfailingly.
In the 20th century, the revered Sri D.B. Venkatasubba Jois undertook a significant renovation, culminating in the re-establishment of the goddess's idol in 1973, on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. Although older palm-leaf manuscripts containing the temple’s Sthalapurana were lost in a fire, oral traditions and the temple’s sanctity preserve its spiritual legacy.
🪔 Pooja Timings
Daily Darshan: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Regular Poojas: Performed twice daily (afternoon and night)
Dhanurmasam: Three daily poojas
Note: No cooked food is offered as Naivedyam. Kumkum from pooja is used as a healing offering for devotees and even for crops and animals. Prostration in front of the deity is restricted.
🚌 Transfort Options
✈️ By Air:
- Nearest Airport: Mangalore International Airport – 121 km
- Bengaluru Airport: Around 320 km from Horanadu
🚆 By Rail:
- Horanadu does not have direct rail connectivity.
- Nearest Stations:
- Bantawala – 55 km
- Kabakaputtur – 58 km
🚌 By Road:
- Bangalore
- Mysuru
- Shimoga,.
- Mangalore.
🏙️Near By Cities
- Kollur
- Udupi
- Dharmasthal
- Kukke
- Shimoga,.
- Mangalore.
🗣️ Devotee Comments