Karnataka is a land of spirituality. Many religious centres thronged by people across the country proves this. Among the temples, Horanadu secures one of the highest position among devotees.
Annapoorneshwari Temple in Horanadu is located on the Bank of River Bhadra in District Chikkamagaluru. Situated in the dense forest and valleys of Western Ghats, Annapoorneshwari or Annapurna is a Hindu Goddess of nutrition and food. The literal meaning of Annapoorneshwari is “Feeding one and all”. Anyone who visits this Temple is offered meals and shelter within the Temple premises.
The temple is also known as Sri Adhishakthyathmaka Annapoorneshwari or Sri Kshetra Horanadu Temple. It is believed that Maharshi Agasthya in 8th century did the prathistapana (established) of goddess Adishakthyathmaka Sri Annapoorneshwari here. As per mythology Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati had an argument. Lord Shiva declared everything in the world including food to be Maya or illusion. To prove food is not illusion Goddess Parvati disappeared resulting in the nature to become still. Neither climates changed nor plants grew, causing draught in the world. However, soon taking pity Goddess Parvati appeared and distributed food to all. And since then she is called as Devi Annapoorna.
There is another very interesting myth related with this Temple. It is believed that Lord Shiva beheaded Lord Brahma, and his skull got stuck in Lord Shiva’s hand. He was cursed that till the skull is not full of food or grains, it will stick to his hands, Lord Shiva went everywhere and asked for food but the skull was never full. So he finally went to this Temple and Maa Anapoorna filled the skull with grains and reversed Lord Shiva’s curse.
Hereditary Dharmakartharu started serving this temple from last 400 years. The same family is serving and preserving the Temple since then. Dharmakartharu have played an instrumental role in refurbishing the Temple as well as in performing the rituals here. The Temple premises was small and unknown to many till the fifth Dharmakartharu Sri D. B. Venkatasubba Jois repaired and revived the Temple following the principles of Astrology, Vastushilpa and Hindu Mythology. Prathistapana of Devi Adishakthi and ‘punaprathistapana’ of Devi Annapoorneshwari was done in 1973 on the auspicious day of “Akshaya Tritiya’.
Sringeri, Kalasa, Kuduremukh, and Dharmasthala are the near by places one can visit during Horanadu trip. Horanadu can bevisited throughout the year.
