Annapoorani Temple, Horanadu

The Annapoorneshwari Temple is a Hindu shrine committed to the goddess Annapoorneshwari (Annapoorna), situated at Horanadu, India, 100 km from Chikmagalur in the thick forests and valleys of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. It is located on the banks of stream Bhadra.

History :

The great god of Adishakthyathmaka Sri Annapoorneshwari’s Prathistapana was finished by his holiness Agasthya Maharishi a few centuries back.

God Shiva and his wife Parvati – believed to be the goddess of food as Annapoorna, had an argument. Shiva proclaimed everything on the planet including food to be Maya (dream). To demonstrate food isn’t deception, Parvati vanished resulting in nature turning out to be still. Neither environment changed nor plants developed, causing drought on the planet. Showing compassion for the world, Parvati appeared and distributed food to all.

As indicated by another story, Shiva beheaded the god Brahma. Brahma’s skull stuck in Shiva’s hands. He was cursed that till the skull isn’t brimming with food or grains, it will stick to his hands. Shiva went all over and requested food yet the skull was rarely full. So he at long last went to this temple and Annapoorna filled the skull with grains and reversed Shiva’s curse.

The hereditary Dharmakartharu started 400 years back. Till the fifth Dharmakartharu, the temple was having a tiny construction surrounded by thick natural vegetation and forests. Even at that time atleast one or more people used to visit the temple, have pooja and were offered with free food {annaprasadam} and shelter and it is proceeded till date.

Architecture :

To arrive at the main sanctuary complex, devotees need to climb a flight of steps. The Gopura (entrance) of the temple is decorated with a few models of Hindu divinities. Mantapa is situated on the left-hand side of the primary temple entrance. Excellent carvings can be found on the roofs of the sanctuary. Adi Sesha surrounds the principle sanctum or the Garbhagruha of the sanctuary and the Padma Peeta comprises of Koorma, Ashtagaja and others.

Rituals :

The word Annapoorna is a made of two words Anna significance rice grains or food and Poorna meaning great and complete. Subsequently, Annapoorna means total or wonderful food. Sri Annapoorneshwari is considered to be a manifestation of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva.

Devi Annapoorna is praised and assessed in a few ancient texts like Rudrayamala, Annapurnamalininaksatramalika, Sivarahasya and Annapurna Kavacha.

Goddess Annapoorneshwari can be seen here in a standing posture on a peetha. She is holding Shanku, Chakra, Sri Chakra and Devi Gayatri in her four hands. The symbol is canvassed in gold from head to toe, and it is accepted that if one visits Devi Anapoorna, will never go without food in their lives.

Akshaya Thadige or Akshya Tritya is the main festival celebrated in this sanctuary. This day is accepted to be the birth date of Devi Annapoorna. This day marks as the start of Treta Yuga just as the finish of winters and beginning of summers. The temple likewise commends 5-day long Rathotsaya during the period of February, 9-day long Navaratri during September, Deepotsava and Havi with enthusiasm.