History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Banashankari Temple, Badami, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India
Banashankari Amma Temple also called Banashakari temple is located in small village Cholachagudd on bank of river Malaprabha and just 8 KM away from the world famous Badami Caves in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The Banashankari temple is dedicated to the Banashankari Amma, the incarnation of the Mata Parvati. The temple deity is also known as Shakambhari or Vanashankari or Banashakari which means, in Sanskrit forest means Vana and Shakari is consort of Lord Shanakar. This temple is one of the popular temple in state and also in Maharashtra as well and thousands of devotee visits here throughout the year. One of the unique features of this temple is that deity is worshiped in rahukalam which is generally believed as inauspicious.
It is believed that the original temple built by Jagadekamall I of Badami Chalukya in the 7th Century as Banashakari was their family deity. Current structure of temple is combination of both Dravidian architecture and Nagara style. The temple earlier was built in the Dravidian style architecture. The renovation took place during Marath rule and the temple looks like it is in the style of Vijayanagara architecture. The temple is covered with very high walls. The main area of the temple is Maha Mantapa, Mukha Mantapa, Ardha Mantapa and the tower called Vimana. The main deity is goddess Banashankari. The sculpture is made up of black stone. The Goddess is seated on the Lioness trampling a demon under her foot. The Goddess had eight hands where she was holding different weapons and items like Trishul, Damaru, Kapal Patra/skull, Ghanti, Vedic scriptures, Sword and the head of the demon.
There is also a water body beside the temple which is called Harishchandra Tirtha or Haridra Tirth. There are two Deepa Stambas, one on the west bank of the tank, and one at the entrance in temple premise. The prayers are offered by lighting oil lamps in cut lemons. The people come here to worship the goddess and be free from cruelty and poverty. The festival called Banashankari Jatre is celebrated every year with great joy. This religious and cultural festival is carried out during the Rath yatra period of the temple. The festival continues for three weeks. The festival is celebrated during Pushya Masa. The large crowd gathers here during the festival and during every Tuesday and Friday of the week. The marriages also take place during this time in the temple. The temple along with the whole town is decorated with flowers, lamps, lights and leaves. During the festival the banana boats are also made by the newborns parents and to seek blessings for their newborns. Cattle fair and artistic items made from wood are the another attraction during the fair.
As per the Skanda Puran, the goddess Banashankari is worshiped in surrounding region as she killed the demon Durgamasura and free the locals from his cruel doings. Since the ancient time it is believed that goddess Banashakari stay here and save the people from every hurdle.
How to Reach Banashankari Temple, Cholachagudd, Badami, Historical and Religious Site, near Aihole and Pattadakal, Karnataka, India
Banashakari Temple is one of the popular site of state of Karnataka and located at just 5 km from Badami in Babagalot district. As Badami is one of the important historical and religious site and taluka near Aihole and Pattadakal in Bagalkot district in state of Karnataka and home to several ancient temple. Thus, it is easily accessible via road, rail and air network. Badami has major railway station from where you can get train to all major station of India. You can get government and private vehicle from nearby cities to reach here by road. The nearest airport from Aihole are Hubli Airport at 105 km and Belgaum Airport at 177 km. There are regular flights to Belgaum from all major cities in the country. Badami is located at just 35 km from Aihole, 22 km from Pattadakal, 34 km from Bagalkot and 140 km from Hampi.
