I still distinctly remember what was Hornadu Annapoorneswari Temple about four decades ago. The deity was housed in an old building, which had colored glass panes on the front windows, with a wooden Portico at the front. Late Sri.Venkatasubba Jois looked after the temple. He was an old man in his late seventies but his grit, courage, dedication to the temple was to be seen to be believed. If more than 5 out 6 people visited the temple, the old man used to stealthily borrow rice from a neighboring villager (without the knowledge of the visitor) and feed them.
What a change in a span of four decades. This proves what one man can achieve during his lifetime. Now, 1500 to 2000 persons visiting the temple and getting fed in the temple is a common feature. Sri. Jois was a man of strict self-discipline in all he did. You may be surprised to hear the following incident: Once, during one of my visits to the temple when I was a schoolboy, I strayed in to the Store Room of the temple.
You know in those days things were stocked in gunny bags and Biscuit Tins. In this Temple’s Store Room, each Biscuit Tin was painted with white paint as to what it contains for easy identification and also for quick retrieval when the need arises. I saw one Biscuit Tin with "Thenginakai Juttu" (Removed shavings of coconut shell) written on it. I wondered why at all this was preserved. I was so curious that I could not resist asking the storeman about this. He explained to me what the content was and also said that the item’s utility is for washing Brass and copper vessels (naturally occurring SCOTCHBRITE of those days).
This showed what a systematic man Mr. Jois was and his philosophy was nothing in this world is a waste provided we know how to make use of it. He decided to take up the renovation of the temple at a very late age. If you see the temple what it is today, you will realize what must have been the effort and organizing capacity of the old man. Remember when this job was taken up, there was no proper road to the temple site and all the building material like stone, cement, sand had to be transported from a minimum of 120 Kilometres. He was the architect himself for the temple and you will marvel at his engineering skill when you visit the temple today and look around. At the time of laying foundation for the temple, there were lot of suggestions from various quarters as to whom he should invite.
The old man was cool and heard all the suggestions. But he had his own ideas. Do you believe when I say the person he chose for laying the foundation was the chief cook of the temple who had served the temple for decades? His simple theory was that temple deity being Annapoorneswari, who else is more qualified for laying the foundation more than the person who has cooked and served thousands of followers of Annapoorneswari. Can you imagine a more sensible and practical man? The temple is situated in a picturesque Malnad surrounded with Greenery everywhere.
The temple is about five-and-a-half hour drive by road from Bangalore (Karnataka).I for one remember and salute the elderly Joshi, who was instrumental in building this monument and bring solace and peace to thousands of devotees who visit the temple of late. It is no wonder that devotees who visit the temple once become addicts for repeated visits. It is a rare and unique experience when you visit this temple and this can only be experienced and cannot be explained in words. Do visit if you have not already done so and you really need this, particularly if you happen to be a habitat of a concrete jungle city.