Information of Banashankari Amma Temple, Badami, Bagalkot, Karnataka

Banashankari Amma Temple is a famous ancient Hindu worship place located near Cholachagudda, Badami Town, Bagalkot District of Karnataka State in India. It is known to be a 6th century built temple by the Chalukayas. It was a family ditty for the Chalukayas Dynasty for many centuries here. This temple was expanded by the Marathas and the Vijanagara Empire. It has the female deity of Shankari, which is an incarnation of Parvathi Devi. This temple has the splendid sculpture of this Devi sitting on a Lion. This Devi has 8 hands holding astras and a demon is found under her legs. This temple was worshiped as forest goddess in the ancient times. Presently it is a famous Hindu pilgrim centre.

Banashankari Amma Temple Religious Significance

The Banashankari Amma or the Shankari Devi is the women goddess as worshiped as the Mother Goddess by the Hindus. This goddess is also called Amma or Devi. These Devis are worshiped for the protection and prosperity by the Hindus belief. The Banashankari name came here due to the forest as Bana means forest in Kanada. Once this place was a dense forest and the tribal lived here adorned this temple as the forest goddess. This temple attracts mainly the female members of Hindu religion, since this is a temple of female goddess. Many women's pray her for their fertility and prosperity of their lively hood. The Banashankari jatre is a yearly festival conducted her in the month of January. This is a cultural festival and attracts many devotees here. The main features are the Chariot pulling and food festival. It is truly significant from religious point of view as the devotees visit with the immense faith and they offer prayers to seek blessing for happy and prosperous life.

Banashankari Amma Temple Mythology & History

According to ancient manuscripts, this temple was built here for the honor of Shankari Devi's conquering over a bad demon. The demon named Durgamasura was exploiting its tribal peoples living in these forest areas. The tribal's prayed to this goddess to put an end to this demon. The Devi heard its prayer and came to earth and killed this demon with a great fierce fight. Hence this place became free from the bad demon and the tribal's started to keep offering for here good deed. This place than slowly emerged as a powerful temple.

Banashankari Amma Temple Architectural Significance

This temple is mostly found in the Vijayanagara and the Dravidian style of architecture. Since, it was built in various stages in the passage of time. The final works were done by the Maratha rulers in the 18the century. Presently this temple is looking very unique in its stone art works. This is built of stones, which have a drastic carving works on it. A 100 square meter pond is built in front of this temple. This pond has 3 porches and a lamp tower near it. The entrance is built with small Gopura (Tower). These were added by the Marathas recently. The entire temple area is surrounded by huge walls. Inside a centrally placed temple is found were the main deity is placed. There are few mandaps built here. These are very beautifully carved on their pillars. The main deity is an excellent masterpiece here. The Shankari Devi is built of Ebony Stone. The Devi is seated on a Lion's back. This Devi has 8 hands; these hands hold a small drum, a trident, a Skull cap, a bell, swards and sward shield. It looks very beautiful with these features. This temple do have a watch tower, it was built in the Vijayanagar period. It is a 3 storied structure. Its top is having a lamp tower. There is also a huge lamp tower built inside this temple complex. These are looking were enlightened when lit in the night times. This temple is an amazing works of stone art. Thus one can find an elaborate form of architecture, well organized and designed with the essence to keep the serenity and purity at its place, bringing the beauty of temple, holiness and the serene ambiance amid the devotees.