Horanadu Annapoorneshwari temple: Governor unveils bronze statues of two respected administrators

Chikkamagaluru: Karnataka Governor, Thaawarchand Gehlot, recently unveiled the bronze statues of late D.B. Venkatasubba Jois and late Narasamma Venkatasubba Jois at the sacred premises of Sri Annapoorneshwari temple in Horanadu, Kalasa Taluk.

The event was held in the presence of dignitaries, local leaders and devotees.

Following the unveiling ceremony, the Governor addressed a public gathering at the Lalita Kalamantapa as part of a Rural Development Programne.

Beginning his speech in Kannada with a warm greeting welcoming all, he expressed his honour in unveiling the statues of the ancestors of G. Bhimeshwar Joshi.

He noted that the lives and legacies of the couple had been documented in a publication and praised B.L. Shankar’s detailed account of their contributions.

“Religion plays a vital role in keeping society cohesive,” the Governor remarked.

“It influences individuals spiritually, socially, and emotionally, fostering unity and collective growth. Swami Vivekananda emphasized that religion organizes humanity and guides society towards holistic development with a sense of brotherhood,” he added.

He further highlighted Hinduism’s guiding philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, emphasizing India’s cultural ethos of global harmony and peace.

Quoting The Buddha’s sayings — Dhamma Sharanam Gachchami, Sangam Sharanam Gachchami — the Governor stressed the importance of living under the guidance of Dharma and the community, reflecting the spirit of mutual unity.

The event was attended by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Chitrakala Parishad President B.L. Shankar, Sri Swayamprakash Sachchidananda Saraswati Swamiji of Sri Adi Shankaracharya Sharda Lakshminarasimha Peetham (Harihara Peetha), Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLA Nayana Motamma, MLC C.T. Ravi and former Minister Motamma.  

As part of the rural outreach initiatives, free tiles were distributed under the Rural Development Scheme, electricity connection certificates under the Anand Jyoti Scheme, agricultural equipment under the Krishi Samruddhi Scheme, and sewing machines under the Women’s Development Scheme.

A note about the managing family

The temple for Goddess Annapoorneshwari in Horanadu is believed to have been originally built by seer Agasthya. For the past 400 years, it is now being maintained by successive members of a family who have been instrumental in renovating the temple and performing everyday rituals.

The shrine’s uniqueness is that all devotees are provided with food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and resting facility in the temple premises itself.

The Dharmakartas of the temple were D. Shankara Narayana Jois, D.S. Bhima Jois, D.B. Venkata Subba Jois, D.V. Bhima Jois, D.B. Venkata Subba Jois, D.V. Gajendra Prasanna Jois and G. Bheemeshwara Joshy (seventh and present Dharmakarta).

The fifth Dharmakarta, late D.B. Venkatasubba Jois, is credited with renovating the temple according to the Agama Sastras in 1962. In the year 1973, a Mahakumbhabhisheka was performed by the then Sringeri Shankaracharya.  

The sixth Dharmakarta, D.V. Gajendra Prasanna Jois constructed the Navagraha temple in 1981 and established the latest steam cooking system, bathrooms, toilets, dining infrastructure, drainage system in the village and rooms for pilgrims, among several other initiatives.