Asia, Europe, and the Rest of the World are different regions in the world. If you are looking for a holistic living experience, you can consider visiting Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. For accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a good option to consider. If you are looking for luxury travel in a pilgrim's city, Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a great choice. Experience the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow by staying at Clarks Awadh. In the Bagalkote District of North Karnataka, you can visit the famous Banashankari temple, which is dedicated to Sri Badami Banashankari Devi. This deity has been worshipped since the Chalukya era and is considered the Kuldevi by millions of devotees.
The construction of this temple was undertaken by King Jagadekamalla III in the year 603 CE. The purpose of this temple was to house the idol of Banashankari Devi, who is worshipped as the ancestral deity by the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty.
In 1750 CE, Marari Dandanayaka "Parasurama Agale" reconstructed this temple. During the festival of Navratri, Goddess Banashankari is adorned with special jewelry and sarees for a period of nine days. Her devotees visit the temple during these nine days to witness the nine different forms of the Goddess.
The Badami Banashankari temple holds great historical importance due to its ancient origins.
The Skanda Purana contains tales about Badami Banashankari, who is revered as the deity of the Chalukya dynasty and other nearby rulers.
Once upon a time, there was a dangerous asura named Durgamasura who resided in a forest called Tilakaranya. He not only caused trouble for the people living there but also tormented the sages. Unable to bear the suffering inflicted by Durgamasura, the sages sought help from the gods. In response, Adishakti, a manifestation of Parvati, emerged from the sacrificial fire and defeated Durgamasura.
The term "Bana" represents a forest, while "Shankari" refers to the embodiment of Shakti or the divine feminine energy of Shankara. Consequently, the name Banashankari is derived from the combination of these two elements.
Shakhambari, also known as Banashankari Amma, derives its name from a fascinating tale.
Long ago, in a town devastated by a lack of food and water due to drought, the residents were enduring great suffering. In this dire situation, Goddess Banashankari, in her compassion, shed tears that quenched the thirst of Mother Earth and revived the lives of her devotees. Through her divine power, she provided nourishment to the people by creating an abundance of vegetables, hence earning the name Shakhambari, which combines the words "shaka" (vegetables) and "amba" (mother). As a result, the goddess is revered and worshipped under the name Shakhambari.
Shakambari is referenced in the Durga Saptashati as one of the forms that Devi takes in the present era.
The goddess Banashankari is worshipped under various names such as Balavva, Banadavva, Chaudeshwari, Sankavva, Vanadurge, and Vanashankari. She is referred to as Simhavahini, symbolizing her association with riding a lion.
The beautiful idol of the Devi made of black stone captivates the attention. The goddess Banashankari, which is a combination of Lakshmi and Saraswati, is primarily worshipped in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
The Banashankari Amma temple that stands today is built in the Vijayanagara architectural style, whereas the original temple followed the Dravidian architectural style. The temple is enclosed by a tall wall called Prakara, which surrounds it completely.
The temple is made up of a rectangular hall known as a mandapa, which has a grand entrance called a Gopuram. The Gopuram is adorned with intricate carvings of different gods and mythological figures. It acts as the entrance to the main sanctuary of the temple.
The primary building of the temple consists of a mukha mandapa, which is a front entrance chamber in front of the sanctum, and a shrine with a Vimana on top. Within the temple, there is a spacious area called a courtyard or Angala, which is surrounded by halls with pillars. These halls are utilized for religious gatherings and ceremonies.
The Garbhagudi houses a sacred idol of Banashankari Amma, which is crafted from exquisite black stone. She is depicted sitting on a lion, with a demon subdued under her feet. Banashankari Amma is portrayed with eight arms, holding various objects such as Trishula, a bell, Dhamaru, a sword, a shield, and the head of an asura.
The Banashankari Temple hosts a variety of festivals. In the temple's vicinity, there is a square-shaped water tank known as "Haridrathirtha."
In this specific Kalyani, there is a distinct tradition where newborn babies are placed in cradles constructed from banana leaves and left on a raft. The belief behind this custom is that it will bring advantages to the children and positively impact their future.
Shakhambari, the goddess adored by Rahu, is honored by devotees who light a lamp made of lemon during the Rahu Kala period. It is believed that by performing this customary practice, any negative effects caused by Rahu Dosha are eliminated.
During the vegetable festival known as "Palleda Habba," Devi is adorned with a variety of vegetables. In addition to that, a wide range of curries are cooked and presented to Banashankari Devi. This custom has been practiced for many years, and a total of 108 food dishes made with different vegetables are offered to the goddess on this special day.
Banashankari Jatra is a well-known cultural festival in North Karnataka that takes place annually and lasts for approximately four weeks. It is celebrated on the full moon day, known as Purnima, of the Hindu calendar month called Magha or Magh Purnima. Typically, this falls around January or February. During this time, people consider it highly auspicious to worship the goddess Laxmi and her various forms.
In the midst of the fair, numerous followers from across Karnataka gather at the Banashankari temple to express their devotion and request the goddess's blessings. The fair brings about a dynamic and vibrant ambience, as street vendors enthusiastically sell a variety of goods including confections, blooms, garments, and playthings.
The Banashankari Amma Temple in Badami celebrates the Navaratri festival, which is considered the most significant Navratri in the Hindu Calendar and usually takes place in the month of Ashwin (September-October). However, this particular temple in Karnataka chooses to celebrate Navratri in the month of Paush. During this nine-day festival, devotees honor and worship the Goddess Banashankari.
Banadashtami is considered to be a highly significant day. At this time, various fairs and festivals are held in Banashankari temples and throughout the northern region of Karnataka.
Genuine meals from North Karnataka are being served at the temple. Women from the local community cook and prepare a variety of dishes including corn/maze/Sorghum roti, Karagadubu (Puran Kadabu), Kalupalle (sprouts curry), red chili chutney, and Pundi Palle (Gongura curry). These delicious meals are offered to the weary devotees at the temple.
The cost for a plate of this food is usually around Rs 30-50, which is quite affordable. The flavor of this type of cuisine is unique and difficult to describe adequately with words alone. It's something that needs to be experienced
If you happen to go to Banashankari and don't try the "Rotti/bread" dishes served near the temple, your trip won't be fully enjoyable.
Many devotees choose to embark on a foot pilgrimage, known as Padayatra, to the Badami Banashankari temple. This ancient practice is particularly common on the day of the full moon. The tradition gains even more popularity during the Banashankari fair, which takes place annually in January or February.
The followers of a religious faith typically begin their pilgrimage, known as Padayatre, from their own residences or neighboring towns and villages. They endure long distances on foot in order to reach the Banashankari temple in Badami. As a symbol of their dedication and self-discipline, certain devotees choose to undertake this journey without any footwear.
This is a profound and religious encounter, a method of seeking the divine blessings of the Banashankari Amma. Numerous followers embark on this pilgrimage annually, frequently accompanied by their loved ones and companions. The belief is that it enhances their faith and devotion towards the goddess.
Getting to Banashankari Temple in Badami is convenient as it can be easily reached by road. To reach the temple, one must first arrive at the nearby town of Badami and then continue on to Banashankari, which is approximately 4 kilometers away.
The closest airports to Badami are Hubbali and Belgaum airports, located at distances of 110 KM and 130 KM respectively. For those who prefer traveling by train, Badami is conveniently connected to railway routes.
After arriving in Badami, there are regular buses operated by KSRTC that can take you to Banashankari. Alternatively, you can opt for an auto-rickshaw or a horse cart ride (known as tanga) at a reasonable cost.
Nearby attractions for tourists in Badami include numerous ancient temples and rock-cut monuments. Visitors can also explore various locations surrounding the temple.
The Karnataka region is well-known for the popular tourist circuit that includes Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal.
If you happen to be in the region, it is worth exploring these nearby places that provide insight into Karnataka's vibrant history and culture.
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The following post has been written by Gayatri Ari, who hails from Ilkal, a renowned location known for its sarees. Gayatri works as a professional quality specialist, but her real passion lies in traveling and immersing herself in various cultures around the globe. As someone who appreciates nature and seeks spiritual experiences, she finds comfort in the splendor of the natural world and takes delight in exploring the spiritual aspects of different destinations.
Other articles you may be interested in include a 7-day pilgrimage along the Prachi River in Odisha, the Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the ancient Shiva temples in Udupi. There are also six comments expressing appreciation for the provided information.
This article is fantastic! The Badami-Banashankari Shakthipeetha seems to be a well-kept secret in the northern region of Karnataka. The beautiful carvings and fascinating history of this place make it a destination that shouldn't be missed. I really appreciate you introducing me to this captivating location with your wonderfully written article!
Thank you for taking the time to read this. In the vicinity of Badami and the Banashankari temple, there are numerous archaeological sites that are definitely worth visiting at least once
I appreciate you for sharing your blog, it is really good.
These nearby places offer visitors a glimpse into the intriguing history and culture of Karnataka. If you happen to be in the vicinity, they are definitely worth visiting.
You're absolutely correct, Nida. During my time at JNV, I resided near Banashankari for a span of 7 years. Our go-to destination for leisure was often the Badami Cave Temples, an impressive architectural marvel built by the Chalukya Dynasty.
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