Andreasujg at 08:16, 14 April 2026

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{{Short description|Hindu shrine in Karnataka, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Shri Shakambhari Shakti Peetha, Cholachagudda, Badami
| image = Shakambari temple near Badami.JPG
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Karnataka
| map_caption = Location in Karnataka
| coordinates = {{coord|15|53|14|N|75|42|18|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes= <ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/1549495/Banashankari-Shakambari-Devasthan|title=Wikimapia|access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref>
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Karnataka]]
| district = [[Bagalkot]]
| location = [[Badami]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Shakambhari]] or Banashankari, form of goddess [[Parvati]]
| festivals= Banashankari jatre
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = 18th century (current structure), original temple 7th century
| creator = Originally [[Chalukyas]]
| website =
}}
'''Banashankari Devi Temple''' (or '''Banashankari temple''') is a [[Hindu temple|Hindu shrine]] located at [[Cholachagudda]] near [[Badami]], in [[Bagalkot district]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. The temple is popularly called 'Shakambhari' 'Banashankari'' or ''Vanashankari' since it is located in the ''Tilakaaranya'' forest. The temple deity is also called the [[Shakambhari]] ({{langx|kn|ಶಾಕoಭರಿ}}), an incarnation of the goddess [[Parvati]].

The temple attracts devotees from Karnataka as well as the neighbouring state of [[Maharashtra]]. The original temple was built by the 7th century [[Chalukya dynasty|Badami Chalukya]] kings, who worshipped goddess Banashankari as their [[Kuladevata|tutelary deity]]. The temple celebrates its annual festival called ''Banashankari jatre'', in the months of January or February. The festival comprises cultural programmes, boat festival as well as a ''Rath yatra'', when the temple goddess is paraded around the city in a chariot. Banshakhari is a form of Maa Shakambhari Devi whose real, main and ancient temple is located in [[Saharanpur]] District in Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Shaktipeeth Shakambhari Devi. There are statues of [[Bhima]], [[Bhramari]], Shatakshi and [[Ganesha]] along with mother.

==Etymology and other names==
Banshankari or Vanashankari is made up of two [[Sanskrit]] words: ''{{lang|sa-Latn|vana}}'' ("forest") and ''{{lang|sa-Latn|Shankari}}'' ("the consort of [[Shiva]], [[Parvati]]"). The temple is popularly called Vanashankari since it is located in the Tilakaaranya forest. The transformation of ''{{lang|sa-Latn|vana-}}'' to ''{{lang|kn-Latn|bana-}}'' reflects a common loanword adaptation in [[Kannada]] from [[Sanskrit]] words. The other popular name given is [[Shakambhari]], which means the "Vegetable Goddess". It is formed by joining the two words ''{{lang|sa-Latn|Shaka}}'' and ''{{lang|sa-Latn|Ambari}}''. In [[Sanskrit]], ''{{lang|sa-Latn|Shaka}}'' means vegetables or vegan food and ''{{lang|sa-Latn|Ambari}}'' means "one who wears or bears to the hungry". A further elaboration is that "Shakambhari" comes from ''{{lang|sa-Latn|Shakam}}'' joined with the root ''{{lang|sa-Latn|Bhri}}'' (Shaka = vegetables or food and root {{lang|sa-Latn|bhri}} = to nourish).

Locals also call the temple goddess as ''Balavva'', ''Banadavva'', ''Sunkavva'', ''Shiravanthi'', ''Chowdamma'' and ''Vanadurge''. It is said that Banashankari is the sixth incarnation of the warrior-goddess [[Durga]].<ref name=south>{{Cite book|author= David Abram |author2=Nick Edwards |author3=Mike Ford |author4=Devdan Sen |author5=Beth Wooldridge|title= South India|access-date=2009-07-11|work= Banashanakri|page =282|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEhJBfbhTAAC&dq=Banashankari+temple&pg=PA282|publisher= Rough Guides|year=2003|isbn=978-1-84353-103-6}}</ref><ref name = hindu>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/23/stories/2009012350950200.htm|title= Cultural bonding at Banashankari jatre|access-date=2009-07-11|author= T.V. Sivanandan|date=2009-01-23| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090620002040/http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/23/stories/2009012350950200.htm| archive-date= 20 June 2009 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]| url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name=kannada>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kannadaratna.com/tour/banashankari.html|title=ಸಿಂಹ ವಾಹಿನಿ ನೆಲೆಸಿಹ ಬನಶಂಕರಿ ಬಾಗಲಕೋಟೆ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಸುಂದರ ತಾಣ|access-date=2009-07-11|publisher=Kannada News Portal|archive-date=1 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201085459/http://kannadaratna.com/tour/banashankari.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Banashankari group of temples.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A complete view of Banashankari temple complex in 1855]]

Historians have dated the original temple to the 7th century AD - the [[Western Chalukya Empire|Kalyani Chalukya]] period to Jagadekamalla I in 603 AD (according to epigraphic inscriptions) who installed the image of the goddess. The present refurbished temple was built in 1750, by Parusharam Agale, a [[Maratha]] chieftain.<ref name=south/><ref name = hindu/><ref name=kannada/>

It is also said that the original temple was in existence even before the reign of the Chalukyas who gave royal favour to the beliefs of the [[Vaishnava]], [[Shaivaite]], [[Jain]] and [[Shakta]] religious orders. They worshipped Banashankari as a form of [[Shakti]], their Supreme Goddess. Epigraphic inscriptions mention that Jagadekamalla I renovated the temple with several additions. Another inscription in [[Kannada language]] on a pillar located on the northern side of the temple dated to 1019 AD, describes the bravery of the [[Rashtrakuta]] king Bhimadeva. The ''[[Deep Jyoti Stambh|Deepa Stamba]]''s (lamp pillar) are seen at the entrance to the temple; the construction of these, as per an inscription, are ascribed to the warrior Ketimayya.<ref name=veeresh>{{cite book|author=Veeresh B. Angadi|title=Tourist Guide: Aihole,Pattadakal, Badami|work=Sri Banashankari Temple|pages=55–56|publisher=Sukanya Prakash|location=Aihole|date=January 2009}}</ref>

==Structure==
[[File:Deepa Stamba on the bank of the water tank in front of the Shakambari temple.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Guard tower]] cum ''Deepa Stamba'' (lamp tower) on the bank of the water tank in front of the Shakambari temple]]

The temple was built initially in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian architectural]] style. The rebuilt structure is in the [[Vijayanagara architecture|Vijayanagara architectural]] style. The temple is enclosed by a high wall on all sides. The main structure has a ''mukha [[mantapa]]'' (portico), ''ardha mantapa'' (entrance porch/chamber in front of the sanctum) and a [[Garbhagriha|sanctum]] topped by a [[Vimana (tower)|Vimana]] (tower). The main sanctum of the temple has the image of goddess Banashankari deified in it. The black stone sculpture depicts the goddess seated on a lioness trampling a demon under her foot. The goddess has eight arms and holds a [[trishul (weapon)|trishul]] (trident), [[damaru]] (hand drum), kapaalpatra ([[Kapala|skull cup]]), ghanta (war bell), [[Vedic]] scriptures, khadga-kheta (sword and shield) and severed head of demon. The goddess was the ''[[Kuladevata|Kuladevi]]'' (tutelary deity) of the Chalukyas. The goddess Banashankari is the tutelary god for [[Devanga]] Community.<ref name = deccanherald>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/604493/standing-test-time.html|title= Standing test time|access-date=2009-07-11|author= Chitra Ramaswamy|newspaper=deccanherald|date=2017-04-03}}</ref> The [[Devanga]] weaver community in particular, holds this goddess in great reverence.<ref name=south/><ref name=veeresh/><ref>{{Cite book|author=A. Pundara |title=Pattadakal| work=Glossary| page=96| publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|year=2008|quote= Ardha-Mandapa means entrance porch/chamber in front of the sanctum and Mukha-Mantapa means portico}}</ref> Banashankari is also the tutelary deity of some [[Deshastha Brahmin]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Kolhapur/people_brahmans.html#1|title=People: Hindus: Brahmans|date=2006 |format=E-book|publisher=Maharashtra Gazetteers Dept.|access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref>

There is a {{convert|360|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} square water tank in the forefront of the temple at the entrance, which is locally called ''Haridra Tirtha'', a corrupted version of the name ''[[Harishchandra]] [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|Tirtha]]''. The pond is enclosed with stone mantapas (halls) on three sides.<ref name=kannada/><ref name=veeresh/><ref name=group>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/b/019pho0000965s1u00088000.html|title= Bunshunkuree. Group of temples. [Banashankari]|access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref><ref name=bana>{{Cite web|url=https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-temples/banashankari-temple.html|title=Banashankari Temple|access-date=2009-07-11}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name =maps>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/karnataka/tourism/banashankari-temple.html|title=Banashankari Temple|access-date=2009-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704202716/http://www.mapsofindia.com/karnataka/tourism/banashankari-temple.html|archive-date=4 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> A [[pradakshina]] or circumambulatory path surrounds the tank.<ref name =path>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indoarch.org/place.php?placelink=R%3D5%2BS%3D18%2BP%3D222%2BM%3D1039|title=Monuments:Banashankari Temple Hindu|access-date=2009-07-13|publisher=Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent|quote=Banashankari village is 9 km from Badami on the way to Gadag. There is a tank with a circumbulatory and a devi temple with black goddesses deified in it. Near the tank stands a rare sentinel tower that reflects the Vijayanagara blend of Hindu and Islamic style. The entire structure is called the \'victory tower\'. It may belong to the Maratha age.}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Lamp towers (''Deepa stambhas'') are seen in the foreground of the temple on the west bank of the pond and also at the entrance. The tower on the bank of the tank is also an uncommon guard tower which is "reflects the Vijayanagara blend of Hindu and [[Islamic architecture|Islamic style]]".<ref name =path/> It is called the Victory Tower.<ref name =path/>

==Legend==
The scriptures [[Skanda Purana]] and [[Padma Purana]] state that the demon Durgamasura harassed the local people constantly. Answering the prayers of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]]s (demi-gods) who appealed to God through a sacrifice to protect them from Durgamasura, the Lord directed the goddess Shakambari to help the people. The goddess appeared through the fire of the [[Yagna]] (fire-sacrifice) in the form of the goddess Shakambari. She then killed the demon after a fierce encounter and restored peace in the region. Banashankari is considered as the incarnation of goddess Parvati, who is the consort of god Shiva.<ref name=kannada/><ref name=veeresh/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.travelchacha.com/cities/badami/banashankri-temple.html|title=Banashankri Temple Travel|access-date=2009-07-11|archive-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606135917/http://www.travelchacha.com/cities/badami/banashankri-temple.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The forests around the temple have coconut, plantain and betel leaf plants and trees. Hence, it is also said that during a severe famine, the goddess provided vegetables and food for the people to survive and thus, the goddess was given the name Shakambari.<ref name=kannada/><ref name=veeresh/>

== Banashankari jatre ==
[[File:Courtyard of the Banashankari temple with ventilation towers or deepa stamba.JPG|thumb|Courtyard of the Banashankari temple with ''deepa stamba''s, lamp towers]]
Banashankari jatre ('jatre' means a "fair") is held as a religious cum cultural festival, at the temple precincts every year on the occasion of the Rath yatra, for a period of about three weeks starting from the Rath yatra. Its starts on 8th day of Pushya masa. ಬನದ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮ celebrated on full moon day. No past data is traceable confirming the beginning of such a festival, but it is inferred that it was started some two hundred years back. Pilgrims from across Karnataka and also the neighboring state of [[Maharashtra]] belonging to different religious beliefs, congregate here in large numbers to celebrate the festival. The time is considered auspicious to even fix marriages and purchase agricultural implements. Cultural programmes (music, drama and circus) are held to entertain the largely rural community who flock the venue to not only worship their favorite deity but also for fun and frolic. It symbolizes cultural bonding between people of different communities here. A unique feature is that many shops and kiosks set up during the festival selling [[vermilion]], clothing, sacred threads and sweets are operated by [[Muslims]] who also display a portrait of goddess Banashankari in their shops. Another interesting marketing activity seen at this venue is of the sale, by artisans of Holeyalur and surrounding areas, of elaborately engraved door frames and doors made in teak, acacia and other varieties of wood. Cattle fair is also held during this festival. Speciality of the cattle fair is the focus on sale of white bulls.<ref name = hindu/><ref name=group/><ref name=fervor/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://karnatakaonline.in/Profile/Culture/festivals.asp|title=Fairs & Festivals|access-date=2009-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425173659/http://karnatakaonline.in/Profile/Culture/festivals.asp|archive-date=25 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the festival, the temple and town are decorated with hundreds of varieties of leaves and flowers. In the fair, which starts on Bandhashtami day, a ''Palleda Habba'' or the Vegetable Utsava or festival is also held when at the start itself 108 varieties of food items (called ‘''bazi''’ in local language) made of vegetables are offered to the deity.<ref name=kannada/><ref name=fervor/>

The festival also marks another unique event namely, the ''Teppotsava'' (the boat festival) held in the temple tank. During this event, parents use boats made of banana stems to ferry newly born children blessed by the grace of the goddess around the pond seeking good luck to their children.<ref name=fervor/>

===Rath yatra===
[[File:Banashankari Car.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Banashankari wooden [[Temple car|Ratha]], a photo taken in 1855 by Thomas Biggs (car or chariot)]]
The ''Rath Yatra'' or chariot festival of the goddess held every year starts on the [[full moon]] day of the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu month]] [[Pausha]] (January) in which the temple goddess Parvati is taken in the chariot (a movable shrine) in a procession along the streets of the Cholachagudd village from the temple gate to Padhkatte, another nearby sculpture. The Rath yatra is witnessed by thousands of people, irrespective of their caste and creed from across the state. To see this cultural and religious extravaganza, people from adjacent villages come in colorfully decorated carts.<ref name=fervor>{{Cite web|url=https://ellakavi.wordpress.com/2007/06/08/temple-fair-and-religious-fervour/|title= Temple fair and religious fervour|access-date=2009-07-11|date= 8 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/badami/ban03.html|title= Temple Cart, Banashankari Temple, Karnataka|access-date=2009-07-11| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090629012647/http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/badami/ban03.html| archive-date= 29 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

During the religious celebrations in Hindu temples, images of the gods and goddesses worshipped in the temples, are taken on large wooden chariots called ''ratha''s and drawn in a pageant by the devotees. The chariots are generally {{convert|5|-|6|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} in height and weigh several tonnes. Huge wheels of solid wood are fixed to the chariot. The chariot is pulled by specially trained men. The chariot appears like a mini temple or shrine as it invariably has figurines of gods and goddesses carved on it.<ref name= car>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/b/019pho0000965s1u00094000.html|title= Bunshunkuree. Idol car with stone wheels. Banashankari, near Badami|access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref>

==Location and access==
[[File:Banashankari Temple tank.JPG|thumb|right|400px|Montage of views of the water tank in front of the temple]]
The Banashankari temple located to the south of Badami and the Badami town itself are enclosed between two gorges. The valley formed by the two gorges has steep sandstone ridges. The soil formation is termed black cotton soil.<ref name=veeresh/>

The temple is located at [[Cholachagudd]] about {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} from Badami on the road to [[Gadag]]. [[Badami]] Railway Station, served by the South Western Railways, is the nearest railhead. Badami is well connected by a good network of roads to all parts of Karnataka and is {{convert|495|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} from [[Bangalore]] and {{convert|125|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} from [[Hubli]], which is the nearest airport.<ref name=kannada/> In the fair all type of ornaments, jewelry, wall doors, clothes and bangles, and sweets are available. It is a fair of 12 days.

==References==
{{Commons category|Banashankari Amma Temple}}
{{reflist|2}}

{{Hindu temples in Karnataka}}
{{Historical places of Chalukyas}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Badami]]
[[Category:Devi temples in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Shakti pithas in Karnataka]]

Banashankari Amma Temple - Revision history

Andreasujg at 08:16, 14 April 2026