Photo 1 / 3Temple front below forested hills. Photo: SWE-Yaatrik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple
About the Temple
Horanadu's temple to Annapoorneshwari, the goddess of food, stands in the hills of the Western Ghats near the Bhadra river, about 10 km from Kalasa. The temple serves a free vegetarian meal to every visitor at midday and in the evening, whatever their faith. Devotees believe that a visit here means they will never go short of food.
Why visit
- Share the free meal that the temple serves to every visitor.
- Combine darshan with Kalasa, Sringeri and Kollur on a Western Ghats run.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
The temple lists darshan from 06:00 to 21:00. Every Wednesday the goddess's darshan is closed from 14:30 to 18:00 for cleaning. Mahamangalarati is at 09:00, 13:30 and 21:00. The temple names Rathotsava, Akshaya Tritiya, the main days of Navaratri, Hosa Akki pooja and Deepotsava as its special days; expect crowds and changed routines then.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
1 hour to 2.5 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
The temple allows darshan only in traditional dress. Women and girls must wear a sari or churidar. For men, the district site says shirts and vests come off before entry and the shoulders are covered with a towel or shawl.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
A phone rule for Horanadu was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance before carrying a phone into the queue.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
Step counts and wheelchair routes are not confirmed. The temple sits on a hillside, so ask at the temple office if anyone in your group has limited mobility.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
Highlights
- A free meal for every visitor
Every visitor, whatever their religion or caste, is given a vegetarian meal. The temple serves it from 12:00 to 13:30 and from 19:30 to 21:00.
- Golden image of the goddess
The district site describes the goddess's image as golden. A new image was consecrated in 1973; tradition credits Adi Shankaracharya with the original installation.
- Daily Mahamangalarati
The main lamp offering is held three times a day, at 09:00, 13:30 and 21:00, with kunkumarchana at about 11:00 and 19:00.
- Stay at the temple
The temple provides rooms for pilgrims who stay the night, as well as the free meals.
Sources: srikshetrahoranadu.com, chikkamagaluru.nic.in · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple
- By air: Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) · about 136 km
- By road: Horanadu is reached by road through Kalasa. The temple gives 136 km from Mangaluru, Shivamogga and Kadur, and 330 km from Bengaluru. KSRTC and private buses run daily from Bengaluru.
Sources: srikshetrahoranadu.com · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Kalaseshwara Temple, KalasaA Shiva temple on the Bhadra river that pilgrims visit with Horanadu.10 km by road
- Sringeri Sharada PeethamThe Sharadamba and Vidyashankara temples on the Tunga river.75 km by road
- KudremukhaA peak of the Kudremukh range in the Western Ghats.18 km away
Sources: chikkamagaluru.nic.in, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Can I take my phone inside Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple?
A phone rule for Horanadu was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance before carrying a phone into the queue.
What are the Horanadu temple timings?
The temple lists darshan from 06:00 to 21:00. On Wednesdays the goddess's darshan closes from 14:30 to 18:00 for cleaning.
Is food free at Horanadu temple?
Yes. The district site says every visitor gets a vegetarian meal, and the temple serves it from 12:00 to 13:30 and from 19:30 to 21:00.
What is the dress code at Horanadu?
Traditional dress only. Women wear a sari or churidar. Men remove shirt and vest and cover the shoulders with a towel or shawl.
How far is Horanadu from Sringeri and Kalasa?
The district site gives about 10 km from Kalasa and 75 km from Sringeri by road.