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Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple, Horanadu
Goddess of Food · Horanadu, Karnataka
॥ ॐ ह्रीं श्रीं अन्नपूर्णायै नमः ॥
Sri Kshetra Horanadu, deep in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, is the home of Adi Shakti Annapoorneshwari — the goddess of food and nourishment. The temple is known across South India for a simple, profound vow: no one who comes here goes without a meal. Free food and shelter are given to every pilgrim, day after day, in the goddess’s name on the bank of the Bhadra river.
The goddess who feeds all
Annapoorneshwari is the form of the Divine Mother who holds the ladle and the vessel of food, the power that sustains every living being. At Horanadu she stands in a golden image, four-armed, bearing the Sri Chakra, the conch, the discus and the vessel of nourishment. To worship her is to acknowledge that food itself is sacred and that the body is fed by grace.
Anna Daana — the feeding of pilgrims
The heart of Horanadu is its anna daana, the free offering of food. Every pilgrim who reaches the temple is fed without charge, and simple accommodation is provided so that no traveller is turned away hungry or homeless. This unbroken practice, sustained by devotees’ offerings, is what has made the remote shrine beloved far beyond Karnataka.
A temple in the Western Ghats
The temple lies in dense forested hills on the Bhadra river, in the Chikkamagaluru district known for its coffee estates and high peaks. Tradition traces the shrine to the sage Agastya, and it was renovated and the deity reconsecrated in more recent centuries by the hereditary Dharmakartas who still serve it. The setting of river and ghat adds to the sense of pilgrimage and remoteness.
Navaratri and worship
Navaratri is the temple’s grandest festival, when the goddess is worshipped through nine nights and the crowds and feeding swell. Akshaya Tritiya and the full-moon days are also important. Daily worship culminates in the offering of food to the goddess before it is shared with all, binding the rituals of the sanctum to the kitchens that feed the pilgrims.
How to reach Horanadu
- By road: Horanadu is about 100 km from Chikkamagaluru and reached through the Western Ghats; the nearest large town is Kalasa, about 10 km away.
- By rail: the nearest convenient railheads are at Mangaluru and Kadur, each a few hours away by road.
- By air: Mangaluru International Airport is the closest, roughly 130 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the deity at Horanadu?
The deity is Adi Shakti Annapoorneshwari, the goddess of food and nourishment, worshipped in a four-armed golden image holding the Sri Chakra and the vessel of food.
What is Horanadu most famous for?
It is famous for anna daana — free food given to every pilgrim who visits, along with simple accommodation, so that no one leaves hungry. This unbroken practice has made the remote temple beloved across South India.
Where is the Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple?
It is at Sri Kshetra Horanadu in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, deep in the Western Ghats on the bank of the Bhadra river, about 10 km from Kalasa.
Who founded the temple?
Tradition traces the shrine to the sage Agastya. It was renovated and the deity reconsecrated in later centuries by the hereditary Dharmakartas who continue to serve it.
When is the main festival?
Navaratri is the grandest festival, with nine nights of worship, large crowds and expanded feeding. Akshaya Tritiya and full-moon days are also important.
How do I reach Horanadu?
Horanadu is about 100 km from Chikkamagaluru through the Western Ghats, near Kalasa. The nearest airport is Mangaluru, roughly 130 km away, with road connections via Kadur or Mangaluru.
॥ जय माँ अन्नपूर्णा ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Temple Name | Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple, Horanadu |
| Primary Deity | Adi Shakti Annapoorneshwari |
| Location | Horanadu, Chikkamagaluru |
| State | Karnataka, India |
| Significance | Goddess of food; free anna daana |
| Architecture | Sahyadri (Western Ghats) style |
| Tradition | Founded by sage Agastya |
| Key Festival | Navaratri |
| River Nearby | Bhadra |
| Nearest Airport | Mangaluru (~130 km) |
| Entry | Free (food & shelter given) |