Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer various locations for holistic living. One such location is Swaswara, situated on Om Beach in Gokarna. For accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended option. If you're looking for luxury travel in a pilgrim's city, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a suitable choice. Experience the lifestyle of Lucknow with a stay at Clarks Awadh. In North Karnataka, the Badami Banashankari Shakthipeetha is a well-known temple dedicated to Sri Badami Banashankari Devi. This deity has been worshipped since the Chalukya era and is considered the Kuldevi by millions of devotees.
In the year 603 CE, King Jagadekamalla III constructed this temple and placed the Banashankari Devi Murti inside. The Banashankari Devi is revered as the ancestral deity of the Kalyana Chalukyas.
In 1750 CE, Marari Dandanayaka, also known as "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 significance due to its historical origins.
The Skanda Purana contains accounts of Badami Banashankari, who was revered as the main goddess by the Chalukyas and other rulers in the vicinity.
Once upon a time, there was a powerful demon named Durgamasura who resided in a forest known as Tilakaranya. He not only caused suffering to the people living in that area, but also tormented the wise sages. Unable to endure the cruelty of Durgamasura any longer, the sages sought help from the gods. It was then that Adishakti, a manifestation of Parvati, emerged from the sacred fire pit called Yagna Kund and defeated Durgamasura.
Therefore, the term "Bana" refers to a forest, while "Shankari" represents the embodiment of the divine feminine energy, also known as the Shakti of Shankara. Consequently, the name "Banashankari" combines these elements to signify the presence of the forest and
Shakhambari, also known as Banashankari Amma, has an intriguing origin story.
Long ago, in a town plagued by drought, the residents were experiencing great suffering due to the lack of food and water. In this desperate situation, Goddess Banashankari, in her compassion, shed tears that nourished and revived Mother Earth, bringing sustenance to her devoted followers. Through her divine power, she satisfied the people's hunger by providing them with an abundance of vegetables, hence earning the name Shakhambari, which signifies the motherly figure who brings sustenance in the form of vegetables.
Shakambari is also referred to in the Durga Saptashati as one of the forms of the Goddess Devi that is relevant in the present era.
The goddess Banashankari is known by various names such as Balavva, Banadavva, Chaudeshwari, Sankavva Vanadurge, and Vanashankari. She is also referred to as Simhavahini, which means she rides a lion.
The black stone Murti of the Devi is captivating. The goddess Banashankari, who is a combination of Lakshmi and Saraswati, is primarily worshipped in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
The current design of the Banashankari Amma temple is in the Vijayanagara architectural style, while the original temple was built in the Dravidian architectural style. The temple is enclosed by a tall wall, known as a Prakara, which surrounds it from all directions.
The temple is made up of a rectangular hall known as mandapa, which has a towered entrance called Gopuram. The Gopuram is adorned with intricate carvings depicting different gods and figures from ancient Hindu texts. It acts as the entrance to the main sanctuary of the temple.
The primary building of the temple consists of a mukha mandapa, which serves as an 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 enclosed by halls supported by pillars. These halls are utilized for religious assemblies and rituals.
The Garbhagudi contains the sacred idol of Banashankari Amma, which is crafted from exquisite black stone. Banashankari Amma is depicted seated on a lion, with a demon beneath her feet. This eight-armed deity holds various objects, including a Trishula, a bell, a Dhamaru, a sword, a shield, and the head of an asura.
The Banashankari Temple holds festivals where a square-shaped water tank called "Haridrathirtha" is located in front of the temple.
In this particular Kalyani, there is a special tradition where newborn infants are placed in cradles crafted from banana leaves and left on a raft. The belief behind this practice is that it will bring advantages to the children and their future.
Shakhambari is a goddess who is highly revered by Rahu, a deity in Hindu mythology. As a part of their devotion, worshippers light a lamp made of lemon during a specific period known as Rahu Kala. It is believed that by performing this ritual, any negative effects caused by Rahu
During the "Palleda Habba" or vegetable festival, Devi is adorned with a variety of vegetables. Additionally, numerous curries are cooked and presented as offerings to Banashankari Devi. This customary practice has been observed for many years, with a total of 108 different food items made from various vegetables being offered to the goddess on this special day.
Banashankari Jatra is a well-liked cultural festival in North Karnataka that takes place annually and lasts for approximately four weeks. It is observed on the full moon day, known as Purnima, during the Hindu calendar month of Magha or Magh Purnima. Typically occurring in January or February, this period is considered highly auspicious for the worship of the goddess Laxmi and her various forms.
The Banashankari temple attracts numerous followers from different parts of Karnataka who come to the fair to pray and receive the goddess's blessings. The fair brings about a lively and vibrant ambiance with street vendors offering a range of goods like candies, blooms, garments, and playthings.
The Banashankari Amma Temple in Badami celebrates Navaratri, a significant Hindu festival that typically takes place in the month of Ashwin (September-October) in the Hindu calendar. However, this particular temple in Karnataka chooses to celebrate Navaratri in the month of Paush. This festival, lasting nine days, is dedicated to honoring the Goddess Banashankari.
Banadashtami is considered a highly significant day. Celebrations and events occur during this period at Banashankari temples and throughout the northern region of Karnataka.
Traditional meals from North Karnataka are being served at the temple. Women from the local community are responsible for preparing various dishes such as corn roti, Karagadubu (a type of stuffed dumpling), Kalupalle (a curry made with sprouts), red chili chutney, and Pundi Palle (a curry made with Gongura leaves). These delicious meals are brought to the temple to be offered to the weary devotees.
They charge a small amount, usually around Rs 30-50 per plate. The flavor of this type of food is unique. You need to try it to fully understand, as words fall short in describing it.
If you ever go to Banashankari and don't try the "Rotti/bread" meals that are available outside the temple, your trip won't be fully fulfilled.
Many devotees choose to engage in a Padayatra, which involves embarking on a pilgrimage to the Badami Banashankari temple by foot. This practice is commonly observed, particularly on the day of the full moon. The tradition is particularly prevalent during the Banashankari fair that takes place annually in January or February.
Typically, followers of the faith begin their pilgrimage, known as Padayatre, from their own residences or neighboring towns and villages. They traverse great distances on foot, with the ultimate destination being the Banashankari temple in Badami. Many devotees choose to embark on this journey without any footwear, as a symbolic gesture of their deep devotion and willingness to undertake penance
This is a meaningful and religious encounter, a method of seeking the divine blessings of the Banashankari Amma. Numerous devotees embark on this pilgrimage every year, frequently accompanied by their loved ones and companions. The belief is that it enhances their faith and dedication to the goddess.
Getting to Banashankari Temple in Badami is convenient as it is situated on the outskirts of the town and can be easily reached by road. To reach the temple, one needs to first arrive at the nearest town, Badami, and then continue their journey to Banashankari, which is approximately 4 kilometers away.
The closest airports to Badami are Hubbali and Belgaum airports, which are approximately 110 KM and 130 KM away. For those who enjoy traveling by train, they can easily do so as the town has good railway connections.
After arriving in Badami, there are frequent KSRTC buses available to take you to Banashankari. Alternatively, you can also opt for a ride in an auto-rickshaw or a tanga (horse cart) at a reasonable cost.
Nearby, there are various tourist attractions in Badami, a town with a rich historical background from the Chalukya dynasty. These attractions include numerous ancient temples and monuments that have been carved out of rocks. Visitors have the opportunity to explore different places surrounding the temples.
The Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal circuit in Karnataka is a well-known destination for tourists.
If you happen to be in Karnataka, these nearby places are definitely worth exploring as they provide a fascinating insight into the state's vibrant history and culture.
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Gayatri Ari, hailing from Ilkal, known for its sarees, has written this guest post. She works as a quality specialist but her real passion lies in globetrotting and immersing herself in diverse cultures. Being a nature enthusiast and a seeker of spiritual experiences, she finds peace and joy in the natural wonders and the spiritual essence of various destinations she visits.
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– There are 6 comments on this article.
This is an excellent article! The Badami-Banashankari Shakthipeetha seems to be a lesser-known but remarkable place in the northern region of Karnataka. The detailed carvings and fascinating historical background make it a destination that should not be missed. I appreciate you for showcasing this captivating place in such a well-written article and introducing me to its charm!
I appreciate you taking the time to read this. There are numerous archaeological sites in close proximity to Badami and the Banashankari temple. It is definitely worth a visit at least
I appreciate you sharing your blog with us; it is really well
If you happen to be in the vicinity, these nearby places offer a glimpse into the captivating history and culture of Karnataka. It is definitely worth your while to pay them a visit.
Nida made a valid point. During my time studying at JNV, I lived close to Banashankari for a span of 7 years. The Badami Cave Temples were often our go-to destination, as they are another remarkable masterpiece of the Chalukya Dynasty.
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