Annapoorneshwari Temple, Hindu temple in Horanadu, Karnataka

The Annapoorneshwari Temple stands at Horanadu in the Western Ghats, on the banks of the Bhadra River about 100 km from Chikmagalur. A white compound wall with a row of small pillars carries a blue, red and white banner naming the shrine, and to its right rises a gopura entrance tower with a blue base, arched niches, gold finials and a sculpted grey upper section. Worshippers climb a flight of steps to the main complex, whose gopura is carved with figures of Hindu deities.

Sage Agasthya founded the shrine in the 8th century as a place of worship in this remote mountain region. The current golden statue of the goddess was consecrated only in 1973 and replaced the earlier representation of the deity.

The name Annapurna means "complete food", and the goddess is held to be an incarnation of Parvati, Shiva's wife. Devotees who take her darshan are believed never to go hungry in their lives. The temple's long-standing practice was to feed anyone who arrived, even at night, and the annual Akshaya Tritiya festival is celebrated here as the goddess's birthday.

Worshipers reach the main temple complex by climbing a flight of steps, and the entrance gopura is carved with figures of several Hindu deities. The monsoon months bring heavy rain that can make a visit inconvenient, while the rest of the year is easier for travel. The temple lies in Mudigere taluk of Chikmagalur district, about 100 km from Chikmagalur and roughly 80 km from Sringeri.

The priesthood has been passed down within the same family for over 400 years, maintaining an unbroken line of tradition. This continuity shows in the consistent rituals and the particular way daily ceremonies are conducted.