Annapoorneshwari Temple

According to a Hindu legend, once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were playing a game of dice. Shiva lost and surrendered all that he had to Parvati. On Lord Vishnu's advice, Shiva played again, and this time he won. Parvati thought something suspicious was going on and questioned Shiva. They had an argument over this which Lord Vishnu had to intervene. He told Parvati that he created illusions to help Shiva win the game. Shiva also proposed that everything is an illusion, Maya, including food.

Parvati disagreed with Shiva's thoughts, and she disappeared to prove that food isn't Maya. When she disappeared, the earth became still, and there was no natural growth on the planet. This resulted in drought, and everyone, the humans, the demons and even the animals prayed for food. When Shiva saw the living beings suffering on the planet, he took his words back and accepted that food is a basic need for all creatures and it is not an illusion. Goddess Parvati then appeared and started distributing food in Kashi. It is also said that Lord Shiva, disguised as a beggar, appeared and Parvati served him with her ladle. She is, therefore, also referred to as Goddess Annapoorneshwari, the provider of food.

The temple has a grand entrance with steps leading to the shrine of Goddess Annapoorneshwari. To the left of the entrance are a mandapam and a queue complex to enter the hall where the prasadam is served to the pilgrims and devotees. The Gopuram in the temple complex adorns beautiful sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The works of art can also be seen on the ceilings of the Annapoorneshwari temple in the form of intricate and mesmerizing carvings.

The divine idol of Goddess Annapoorneshwari is made of gold and she stands glowing in her fine jewellery and clothing. She possesses grace and strength as she stands holding a Shanka, Sri Chakra, Chakra and Devi Gayathri in each hand. The little area in front of her is lit with diyas that add to the divine glow of the atmosphere.

The Maha Mangal Aarti is performed at 9:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Devotees can perform the naming ceremony of a newborn child and the Aksharaabhyasam ritual when the child is prepared to gain formal education with the blessings of Goddess Annapoorneshwari and Goddess Saraswati.

1. Rathotsava: Celebrated in February to March every year, this temple festival is a five-day celebration.

2. Akshaya Thadige: Also known as Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated between April and May every year as it marks the birth of Goddess Annapoorneshwari and the beginning of summer. It is an auspicious day for Hindus.

3. Navaratri: The nine-day festival devoted to the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga is celebrated in September - October.

1. Daily Seva:
Shri Devi Mahatme Parayanapurvaka Mahapooja: INR 400
Maharanagapooja (Deeparadhana): INR 600
Rangapooja (Upto Chakragallu): INR 300
Panchamruthabhishekam (performed on Fridays): INR 300
Panchamruthabhishekam (performed on all other days): INR 30
Rice Donation for Annadanam (Per Kilogram): INR 30
Full Set Prasadam (with kumkumarchana): INR 100
Kumkumarchana (Including Shri Prasadam): INR 60
Nandadeep (Per day): INR 50
One Day Kainkary Seva to Goddess Annapoorneshwari and Lord Ganpathi: INR 500
Annadana Seva (one time): INR 6000
Shri Navagraha Pooja: INR 300
Panchakajjaya Nivedana  to Lord Ganapathi: INR 40
Asthothara Kukumarchana: INR 20
Shri Sathyaganesha Vratha: INR 300
Shri Sathyanarayana Vratha: INR 300

2. Shurkravar Seva: Friday seva is performed for 52 weeks (one year) on every Friday: INR 2500 per year

3. Amavasya or Hunnime Seva: performed for 52 weeks (one year): INR 1000

4. Homa Sevas: 
Shri Mahachandika Homa: INR 20,000
Shri Mahaganpati Homa: INR 15,000 

5. Yearly Sevas: 
Varshika Seva: INR 4000 for 4 years
Shaswatha Anandan Seva (permanent seva): minimum amount payable is INR 1,00,000.00

Annapoorneshwari Lodge: The Annapoorneshwari Lodge is the closest lodge near the temple. Devotees and visitors can book their rooms and stay at affordable rates. The lodge maintains a peaceful atmosphere and the staff is very hospitable. They also arrange cabs for airport drops and pickups.

Bhadra Nivasa Lodge: The Bhadra Viwasa Lodge is run by the temple administration and is within walking distance from the temple. The rooms are clean and have a breathtaking view of the temple and the scenery around. The room charges range from INR 250 to INR 2500. The staff is hospitable and the hotel provides many amenities like television, air conditioning, parking space etc.

1. You may opt for paid accommodation which is very affordable.  
2. Carry ID proof if you are planning to stay in the Temple accommodation.
3. If you're visiting during the monsoon, do carry an umbrella.
4. The afternoon prasadam/ meal is served between 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM and the dinner prasadam/ meal is offered between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
5. Follow the traditional dress code. Men are supposed to remove their shirts and wear a towel or a shawl to cover the shoulders. Women do not have a dress code as such but are advised to wear non-revealing clothes.

One can drive private or tourist vehicles via the 50-kilometre picturesque road in the dense forests of the Western Ghats from Chikmagalur. One can also avail busses that drive down regularly from the bustling Indian metro, Bangalore.