Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, offers a holistic living experience. Piramal Haveli is a recommended accommodation option in Shekhawati. For luxury travel in Pushkar, consider staying at the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa. Clarks Awadh provides an opportunity to experience the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow. The Badami Banashankari Shakthipeetha is a popular Shakti Peetha located in North Karnataka. Sri Badami Banashankari Devi is a revered deity worshipped for many centuries in the region.
The temple was constructed by King Jagadekamalla III in the year 603 CE, and it houses the idol of Banashankari Devi. Banashankari Devi is the ancestral goddess of the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty.
In 1750 CE, Marari Dandanayaka, also known as "Parasurama Agale," took the initiative to reconstruct this temple. During Navratri, which lasts for nine days, Goddess Banashankari is adorned with special jewelry and sarees. Her devotees visit the temple during these nine days to witness the nine different forms of Devi.
The Badami Banashankari temple holds great historical significance due to its rich historical background.
The Skanda Purana includes accounts of Badami Banashankari, who was worshipped as the primary deity by the Chalukyas and other kings in the nearby area.
Once upon a time, there was a powerful demon named Durgamasura who resided in a forest called Tilakaranya. He caused great suffering not only to the residents of the forest but also to the wise sages who lived there. The sages, unable to endure the torment inflicted by Durgamasura, sought help from the gods. In response, Adishakti, a manifestation of the goddess Parvati, emerged from the sacred fire pit known as Yagna Kund and swiftly defeated Durgamasura.
Therefore, "Bana" represents a forest, while Shankari signifies the embodiment of Shakti or the divine energy of Shankara. Consequently, the name Banashankari is derived from the combination of these two aspects.
Shakhambari, who is also known as Banashankari Amma, has a fascinating origin story.
In a town that was devastated by drought, the inhabitants were experiencing extreme hunger and thirst. However, the goddess Banashankari came to their rescue by shedding tears that quenched the thirst of the Mother Earth and gave life to her devotees. She satisfied the people's hunger by miraculously creating a variety of vegetables, which is why she is also worshipped and known as Shakhambari, as "Shaka" refers to vegetables and "Amba" signifies mother.
In the Durga Saptashati, Shakambari is described as one of Devi's forms that is relevant and present in the present era.
The goddess Banashankari is revered by various names such as Balavva, Banadavva, Chaudeshwari, Sankavva Vanadurge, and Vanashankari. She is known as Simhavahini, which means she rides a lion.
The captivating black stone statue of the Devi is truly enchanting. The goddess Banashankari, who is a combination of Lakshmi and Saraswati, is primarily venerated in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
The Banashankari Amma temple we see today is built in the Vijayanagara architectural style, while the original temple was constructed in the Dravidian architectural style. The temple is enclosed by a tall wall, known as Prakara, which surrounds it from all directions.
The temple is made up of a rectangular hall called the mandapa, which has an entrance with a tower called the Gopuram. The Gopuram is adorned with carvings of different gods and mythological figures. It acts as the entrance to the main shrine of the temple.
The primary building of the temple consists of a mukha mandapa, which serves as an entrance chamber leading to the sanctum, and a shrine with a Vimana on top. Within the temple, there is a spacious area known as a courtyard or Angala, enclosed by halls supported by pillars. These halls are utilized for religious events and rituals.
The inner chamber of the temple, known as the Garbhagudi, houses the revered idol of Banashankari Amma, which is crafted from exquisite black stone. Banashankari Amma is depicted sitting on a lion, with a demon positioned beneath her feet. This eight-armed deity holds various objects in her hands, including a Trishula (trident), a bell, a Dhamaru (a small drum), a sword, a shield, and the head of an asura (demon).
Banashankari Temple hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year. Located in front of the temple, there is a square-shaped water tank known as "Haridrathirtha."
In this particular Kalyani, there is a special tradition where newborn babies are placed in cradles crafted from banana leaves and placed on a raft. The belief behind this practice is that it will bring blessings and a prosperous future for the children.
Shakhambari is a highly revered goddess associated with Rahu. As a part of their devotion, followers light a lamp made of lemon during a specific time period known as Rahu Kala. The purpose behind this ritual is to eliminate any negative effects or afflictions caused by Rahu Dosha.
During the "Palleda Habba" or vegetable festival, Devi is adorned with an assortment of vegetables. Additionally, a variety of curries are cooked and presented to Banashankari Devi. This custom has been observed for many years, and a total of 108 dishes made with different vegetables are offered to the goddess on this special day.
Banashankari Jatra is a well-known cultural festival that takes place in North Karnataka and lasts for approximately four weeks. It occurs on the full moon day, also known as Purnima, during the Hindu calendar month of Magha or Magh Purnima, which typically falls in January or February. This time is considered highly auspicious for worshipping the goddess Laxmi and her various forms.
The Banashankari temple attracts a large number of worshippers from across Karnataka during the fair. They come to offer prayers and seek the goddess's blessings. The fair itself is filled with energy, liveliness, and a burst of colors. Street vendors can be found selling a wide range of items including sweets, flowers, clothing, and toys.
The Banashankari Amma Temple in Badami, Karnataka, celebrates Navratri in the month of Paush, which is different from the usual celebration in Ashwin month. This festival, spanning nine days, is dedicated to worshipping the Goddess Banashankari.
Banadashtami is considered as a highly favorable day. Celebrations and events are organized during this period at Banashankari temples and in various locations throughout North Karnataka.
Traditional meals from North Karnataka are being served at the temple. A group of local women are responsible for preparing delicious dishes such as corn/maze/Sorghum roti, Karagadubu (Puran Kadabu), Kalupalle (sprouts curry), red chili chutney, and Pundi Palle (Gongura curry). These meals are then brought to the temple to be offered to weary devotees.
They charge a small amount of money, usually around Rs 30-50 per plate. The flavor of this type of food is unique and indescribable; it must be experienced to truly understand.
If you ever go to Banashankari and don't try the "Rotti/bread" meals available outside the temple, your trip won't be fully accomplished.
Many devotees often embark on a Padayatra, which is a pilgrimage by foot, to the Badami Banashankari temple. This practice is particularly common on the day of the full moon and is especially popular during the annual Banashankari fair that takes place in January or February.
People who are devoted to their faith often begin their pilgrimage, called Padayatre, from their own residences or from neighboring towns and villages. They embark on a long journey, often on foot, to reach the Banashankari temple located in Badami. As a symbol of their deep devotion and willingness to make sacrifices, some devotees choose to undertake this pilgrimage barefoot.
Visiting the Banashankari Amma is considered a deeply meaningful and spiritual experience, as it involves seeking the blessings of the goddess. Numerous devotees, accompanied by their loved ones, make this pilgrimage annually. It is believed that this journey not only strengthens their faith but also deepens their devotion to the deity.
Getting to Banashankari Temple in Badami is convenient as it is situated on the outskirts of the town with easy road access. To reach the temple, one must first travel to the nearest town, Badami, and then continue for approximately 4 kilometers to reach Banashankari.
The closest airports to Badami are Hubbali and Belgaum airports, which are located 110 KM and 130 KM away, respectively. For those who would rather travel by train, they can easily do so since the town has good railway connections.
After arriving in Badami, there are regular buses provided by KSRTC that travel to Banashankari. Alternatively, one can also choose to take a reasonably priced auto-rickshaw or a horse cart (known as a tanga) for transportation.
Nearby, there are various tourist attractions in Badami, an old town that was once ruled by the Chalukya dynasty. The town is known for its numerous ancient temples and rock-cut monuments. Visitors have the opportunity to discover and visit several places surrounding the temple.
The Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal circuit is a well-liked tourist route in the state of Karnataka.
If you are in the region, it is worth exploring these nearby places as they provide a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Karnataka.
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The following article was written by Gayatri Ari, who is from Ilkal, a well-known location for its sarees. Gayatri is an expert in maintaining quality standards in her profession. However, her true love lies in traveling and immersing herself in various cultures around the globe. As someone who appreciates nature and spirituality, she finds comfort in the beauty of the natural world and takes pleasure in experiencing the spiritual atmosphere of different destinations.
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– 6 people have commented on this article, expressing their appreciation for the valuable information provided.
This article is fantastic! The Badami-Banashankari Shakthipeetha seems to be a little-known treasure located in the northern region of Karnataka. Its detailed carvings and fascinating history make it a destination that shouldn't be missed. I appreciate you for introducing me to this captivating place with your excellently written article!
I appreciate you taking the time to read this. In the vicinity of Badami and Banashankari temple, there are several archaeological sites that are definitely worth exploring at least once.
I appreciate you for sharing your blog; it is very well done
These nearby places provide visitors with a glimpse into the captivating history and culture of Karnataka. If you happen to be in the vicinity, they are definitely worth exploring.
I agree with Nida's statement. During my time studying at JNV, I resided in the vicinity of Banashankari for a duration of 7 years. Our preferred destination to frequent was the Badami Cave Temples, a remarkable architectural marvel belonging to the Chalukya Dynasty.
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