Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple

Introduction to Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple

The Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple is located in Horanadu, Karnataka. It is 100 km from Chikmagalur District. It is on the banks of River Bhadra amidst the thick forests of the Western Ghats, surrounded by natural vegetation. The temple is at an altitude of 831 meters from the sea level.

"Annapoorneshwari" means 'feeding all'. The uniqueness of Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple is that everybody who visits here will get food, including breakfast and lunch. The word "Annapoorna" is a conjunction of two words. 'Anna' means 'food' or 'grains', and 'Poorna' means 'perfect'.

Legend of Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple

According to a Hindu legend, once Shiva and Parvati were playing a game of dice. Shiva lost the game and surrendered all his belongings to Parvati. He went and approached Vishnu's advice for his victory and played again. Finally, Shiva won the game.

Parvati suspected and questioned Shiva. She argued over his sudden victory, and Vishnu was called out to intervene. He replied to Parvati that he created illusions to make Shiva win the game. Shiva also accepted that everything was Maya, including food.

Parvati disagreed with Shiva and Vishnu's thoughts and disappeared to prove that food is not mere Maya. The Earth became immobile when she disappeared, and there was no growth. It resulted in drought. Everyone, including the humans, the demons, and even the animals, prayed for food to escape from starvation.

When Shiva saw the sufferings of all the creatures, he accepted that food is a basic need for all and is not an illusion. Accepting his apology, Parvati then appeared and started distributing food in Kashi. It is also said that Shiva came disguised as a beggar before Parvati, and she served him with her ladle. Therefore, she is also called Annapoorneshwari Devi, the food provider.

The Architecture of Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple

The Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple was probably built in the 8th century. It is said that Agastya Maharishi had done the consecration of Annapoorneshwari Devi several centuries ago. However, she was again formally installed in 1973 by Adi Shankaracharya.

Sri D.B. Venkatasubba Jois, the fifth Dharmakartha of the temple, renovated it by following the Vaastu Shilpa principles and Astrology. The sixth Dharmakartha, D.V.Gajendra Prasanna Jois, constructed the Navagraha shrine and inaugurated the steam cooking system in the temple's kitchen in 1981.

Devotees must climb a flight of steps to reach the main temple complex. The Raja Gopuram of the temple has many colorful statues of Hindu deities. The Mandap is on the left side of the entrance to the main temple. A queue complex adjacent to the Mandap leads to the Prasadam and Anna Daanam Hall. The roofs of the temple are carved with beautiful sculptures. The serpent deity Adi Sesha surrounds the Garbhagriha of the temple and forms Padma Peeta of Koorma, Ashtagaja, and others.

The presiding deity of the Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple is Annapoorneshwari Devi. She blesses her devotees in a standing posture on a Peetam by holding the Shanku, Chakra, Sri Chakram, and Devi Gayatri in her four arms. She is completely covered with a gold kavasam from head to toe. There is a small area in front of the Garbhagriha where devotees light lamps. The Pushkarani of the temple is outside of the premises.

Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple feeds devotees three meals (including dessert) a day in a free Anna Daanam scheme. The best time to visit the Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple would be from October to April.

Festivals in Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple

A Gorava dance, the dance of Shiva, is famous in Karnataka. The devotees worship Shiva in the Lingeshwara Temple and perform the dance wearing a black woolen rug made of animal skin. Traditionally, Goravas are devotees of Shiva who dance and even bark like dogs. They dance to the music, which is accompanied by percussion instruments like Damru, bell, etc.

Festivals in the Lingeshwara Temple

During Rathotsava, Navratri, and Akshaya Tritiya, Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple receives a heavy crowd. Rathotsava is a five-day festival held from February to March annually. Akshaya Tritiya is the deity's birthday, celebrated between April and May every year. Navratri, a nine-day celebration, is held in September-October when all nine forms of Durga are worshipped with great pomp.

Benefits of Worshipping at Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple

Annapoorneshwari Devi is believed to be the deity of food. As per Hindu mythology, people who offer prayers and seek her blessings will never have any food scarcity in their lives. Hence, the temple's visitors receive three meals: snacks, coffee, and tea. The temple welcomes everyone irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.