Annapoorneshwari temple - Horanadu, Karnataka
Annapoorani is the Goddess who provides nourishment to all. The
original temple dedicated to Goddess Annapoorani is at Kasi (Varanasi).
She is depicted with a bowl of annam (food) in her left hand a ladle
filled with food in her right hand. Lord Siva is sometimes
depicted with a bowl ready to receive food from Sakthi -
Annapoorani.
This depiction does not mean that Siva has been humbled as a beggar and
Sakthi is the powerful provider. Hinduism is very symbolic.
Several basic truths are revealed in each picturisation.
Annapoorani is shown with a bowl in the left hand full of food and a
laden spoon in the right hand. The full bowl shows that she has
abundant supply, but what is more significant is that she has a laden
spoon showing that she is always willing and ever ready to
serve.
All natural flow of energy is from a higher level to a lower
level. The receiving hand of Siva is therefore shown lower,
accepting the Sakthi for fruitful application. Also, the receiver should
be aware of his needs to go and seek it at the right place. The
outstretched arms means he is ready to accept and the bowl indicates
that he has the means to collect and store so that the Sakthi he
receives will not be wasted.
When we say Brahma is the God of creation, Vishnu the God of protection
and Siva the God of destruction, it does not really mean that Brahma is
busy only when he initially creates the world and Vishnu only when he
takes his avatars to protect or Siva only when he destroys at the end.
There is no real beginning or end. The three forces are ever active, and
ever present. And when it is said Siva is the Lord of
destruction, it means he is ready to destroy evil and the unwanted (not
the destruction of the world), getting matter ready for the process of
creation and in this job Siva and Sakthi work hand in hand.
Horanadu on the western ghats,
situated 100 kms south-west of Chikmagalur, on the banks of the river Bhadra
is a place of abundant natural beauty with thick vegetation.
 
The
temple for Goddess Annapoorneshwari in Horanadu, Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shree
Annapoorneshwari is believed to have been built originally by sage Agasthyar.
For the past 400 years, the temple is now being maintained by successive
members of a family who have been instrumental in renovating the temple
and performing the rites. The Goddess Annapoorneshwari is seen in
a standing posture on a peeta with Shanku, Chakra, Sri Chakra and Devi
Gayathri in her four hands.
The uniqueness of this temple is
that all visiting devotees are provided with food (Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner) and sleeping facility in the temple premises.
The
Dharmakartharus - Sri D. Shankara Narayana Jois, D.S. Bhima Jois, D.B.
Venkata Subba Jois, 2nd D.V.Bhima Jois, 2nd D.B.Venkata Subba Jois,
D.V. Gajendra Prasanna Jois and G.Bheemeshwara Joshy (7th present Dharmakartharu
in 2009). The 5th dharmakartharu late.D.B.Venkatasubba Jois renovated the
temple according to sastras in 1962 and in 1973 Mahakumbhabhisheka was
performed by his Holiness Shrimad Jagadhguru Shankaracharya Abhinava Vidyathirtha
Mahaswamiji of Daksinamnaya Shringeri Sharadapeetam, Sringeri. The
6th dharmakartharu Sri D.V.Gajendra Prasanna Jois constructed the navagraha
temple in 1981 and established the latest steam cooking system, bathrooms,
toilets, annachathra, drainage system in the village, "free brahmopanayana"
every year, construction of rooms for pilgrims, labour colony providing
free clothes to the temple employees and their family members during the
car festival every year.
Pooja timings: Morning 6:30 am -
9:00 am ; Noon 11:00 am - 2:00 pm ; Evening 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm.
Accommodation is available and will
be provided by the temple Trust to pilgrims if available.
Accomodation
Address:
Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shree Annapoorneshwari
Temple
HORANADU, Chikmagalur District 577181
Locations nearby: Kemmangundi Hill
station, Sringeri Mutt, Belavadi Viranarayana Temple, Amrutheshwara temple
at Amruthapura.
Ashtalakshmi temple, Besant Nagar, Chenn |
