Place: Sri Annapoorneshwari Devi Temple – Hornadu
Distance: 80 Kms approx and 2 hr drive from homestay
Taluk: Chikmagalur
District: Chikmagalur
Type: Historical Temple
“Sri Kshetra Hornadu” is situated on the banks of river Bhadra in a remote corner of Chikkamagaluru dist, Karnataka, surrounded by the natural vegetation, forest, green lands, and natural beauty of the Western Ghats. The great deity of Adishakthyathmaka Sri Annapoorneshwari’s Prathistapana was done by his holiness Agasthya Maharishi several centuries back. The hereditary Dharmakartharu of our family started 400 years back. Till the 5th Dharmakartharu, the temple was having a very small structure surrounded by full of natural vegetation and forest. Even then at least one or more people used to visit the temple, have pooja and were provided with free food {annaprasadam} and shelter and it is continued till date.
Nestled in the midst of evergreen hills is Horanadu. It is about 10 kms from Kalasa and has the temple of goddess. Sri Annapoorneshwari. The place attracts devotees throughout the year. Accommodation for night stay is and free food is offered by the temple authorities. Hornadu, also known as Horanadu, is a Hindu holy locale and Panchayat village located in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, India. The deity at the Annapoorneshwari Temple at Hornadu is Annapurneshwari. The main deity of the goddess was put in place by Adi Shankaracharya; the new deity of goddess Annapurneshwari was consecrated in the temple in 1973. Horanadu has an elevation of 831 m (2,726 ft)
Horanadu lies amidst Malnad at a distance of 126 km from Mangaluru and 316 km from Bengaluru. Distance from Sringeri is 75 km. Direct buses run from Bengaluru to Horanadu every day. Bus services are provided by both KSRTC and private companies. The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport previously known as Bajpe airport situated in Mangalure. Mangaluru can be reached via Karkala and Kalasa by road.
Every visitor to the Annapoorna temple at Horanadu, irrespective of their religion, language, caste, or creed, is provided with a three-course vegetarian meal (including a dessert made from Bele or Lentils). Male visitors to the temple have to remove their shirts and banians and preferably cover their shoulders with a towel or a shawl, as a symbol of respect and humility in front of god.
The main deity, Annapoorneshwari is made of gold. It is believed that a person who seeks the goddess’ blessings would never have any scarcity for food in life. It is believed that Lord Shiva once had a curse and that this curse was reversed when the lord visited Goddess Annapoorna and sought her blessings.
Mahamangalarati prayer will be offered every day at 9:00 am, 1:30 pm and at 9:00 pm. Kunkumarchana pooja starts every day at 11:00 am and at 7:00 pm.