SREE ANNAPOORNESWARI TEMPLE, HORANADU

Though the distance between Dharmathsthala and Horanadu is only 88 kms, the time for the 
drive was 2 Hrs 40 Min via Khalasa.   Starting at 2 PM, we reached by road only at 4.40 PM.  After taking rest for about 2 hours in the Hotel, we went to the temple, which was 4 kms from the Hotel.  The evening darshan was without any hassles and we were the only people and were very near to the Deity.  There were few devotees waiting for the Kunkuma Archana scheduled at 7 PM.  
River Bhadra passes through this town, which is part of Mudigere Taluk of Chikkamagaluru dist.  Horanadu is at a distance of 95 Kms from Chikkamagaluru and 125 Kms from Mangalore.  

The temple is at a location with serene atmosphere.  The temple is at an elevated place with around 30 steps to be climbed.  Adequate shops are around the temple which sell the pooja items. 

The temple is also known as Adhisakthyathmaka Annapoorneswari.  It is believed that 
Sage Agasthya installed the Goddess Vigraha here. 

When Lord Shiva declared everything in the world including food to be Maya or illusion, Goddess Parvathi said Food is not an illusion and thus there was an argument.  To prove that Parvathi Devi disappeared and everything became standstill.  Neither Climates changed nor plants grew resulting in severe draught.  Taking pity on the people, the Goddess appeared and distributed food to all.   Since then she is known as Devi Annapoorneswari.   

The second legend is based on the beheading of Lord Brahma's head by Lord Shiva and
the skull of Brahma stuck on the hand of Shiva.  He was also cursed that only when food
or grains are full in the skull, it would come out of his hands.  Lord Shiva begged for alms 
from so many but none could make the skull full.  He arrived here and Devi Annapoorani 
filled his skull and thus he came out of the curse.

The temple has Hereditary Dharmakarthas since 400 years and the expansion of the
temple was done by the fifth Dharmakartharu.    

The Goddess is in a standing posture with four hands, holding Shanku, Chakra,  one hand
with Abhya Muthra and the other Karuna Muthra.  Akshaya Trithiyai is celebrated in this temple as well as 5 day Ratha yatra,  Navarathri and Deepothsava.  Beautiful carvings are found in the ceilings of the temple.

There is dress code for the temple.  Men should remove their shirts and banians and dothi is preferable.  Women with sarees or salwar/kameez.

Temple Timings
06.30 AM to 9.00 PM