Banashankari Amma Temple or Vanashankari Temple is dedicated to Shakambhari, an incarnation of the goddess Parvati. is located in Cholachagudda, near Badami, in Bagalkot, Karnataka. Sri Banashankari Temple is located on Kanakapura Road, approximately 8.5 kilometres from Bangalore City Railway Station. The temple is known as Banashankari or Vanashankari because it is located in the Tilakaaranya forest. The temple’s distinguishing feature is that the puja is performed for the Goddess during the inauspicious period of Rahu kala. People usually avoid Rahu kala when doing good deeds, let alone worshipping at temples.

Devotees believe that worshipping Goddess Banashankari Amma in Rahukala will remove all hardships and poverty. The deity was worshipped by lighting multiple oil lamps inside half-cut lemon peels with the pulp removed. The temple’s original architectural style was Dravidian. The reconstructed structure has a Vijayanagara architectural design. This temple’s original site was Cholachagudd, near Badami. Kempe Gowda, Bangalore’s founder, later moved it to Banashankari in Bangalore.

Story Behind Banashankari Amma Temple Bangalore

The Skanda Purana and Padma Purana state that the demon Durgamasura constantly harassed the locals. The Lord directed the goddess Shakambari to assist the people in response to the prayers of the Devas (demi-gods) who had requested protection from Durgamasura through a sacrifice. The goddess Shakambari emerged from the fire of the Yagna (fire sacrifice). She then killed the demon after a fierce battle and restored peace to the region. Banashankari is regarded as the incarnation of the goddess Parvati, the consort of the god Shiva.

According to legend, three women once came to the temple during Rahu kala and asked the priest to perform a puja, which the priest politely declined. The priest agreed to conduct the puja after the women’s persistent requests. However, when the priest came out to offer prasad to the women after the puja, he discovered that they had disappeared. This incident led the priest and the public to believe that the women who had visited the temple to worship Goddess Banashankari at the inauspicious time were the goddesses themselves and that performing puja during Rahu Kala would benefit the devotees.

Since then, devotees have chosen to visit the Banashankari temple during Rahu kala, even though this is traditionally considered an unlucky time for Hindus. Locals also refer to the temple goddesses as Balavva, Banadavva, Sunkavva, Shiravanthi, Chowdamma, and Vanadurge. Banashankari is said to be the sixth incarnation of Durga, the warrior goddess. The Goddess image is beautifully decorated and pleasing to devotees’ eyes.

History of Banashankari Amma Temple Bangalore

Historians have dated the original temple to the 7th century AD, during the Kalyani Chalukya period, to Jagadekamalla I in 603 AD (according to epigraphic inscriptions), who installed the goddess’ image. The current refurbished temple was built in 1750 by Maratha chieftain Parusharam Agale.

It is believed that in 1915, Sri Somanna Shetty, a devotee of Goddess Banashankari, brought an idol from Badami and installed it here. Since then, the area has become known as Banashankari, and it is located on the busy Bangalore-Kanakapura road in South Bangalore. This is said to be Bangalore’s richest temple.

The architecture of Banashankari Amma Temple Bangalore

The temple was originally built in the Dravidian architectural style. The rebuilt structure follows the Vijayanagara architectural style. The temple is surrounded by a tall wall on all sides. The primary structure includes a mukha mantapa, an ardha mantapa, and a sanctum topped by a Vimana.

The architecture contains elements of both the Dravidian and Chalukyan styles: there are tall gopurams with a plethora of arcades supporting pillared pavilions; inside the sanctuary, engagement-style pillars and ornate sculptures depict Hindu deities and historical legends. Over the centuries, the temple grew and was renovated.

The temple’s main sanctum contains a deified image of the goddess Banashankari. The black stone sculpture depicts the goddess seated on a lioness, trampling a demon beneath her feet. The goddess has eight arms and carries a Trishul, damaru, kapaalpatra, ghanta, Vedic scriptures, and khadga-kheta.

This holy place has been completely renovated. The Navaranga Mandapa in this temple has magnificent columns adorned with images of Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Narasimha, Ganapathi, Brahma, and other Gods. The temple’s entrance features a 360-foot-square water tank known as Haridra Tirtha. The pond is surrounded by stone mandapas on three sides. A pradakshina, or circumambulatory path, surrounds the tank.

Facts about Banashankari Amma Temple Bangalore

• Sri Banashankari Temple is located on Kanakapura Road, approximately 8.5 kilometres from Bangalore City Railway Station.
• This temple, dedicated to Banashankari Amma, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, is one of Bangalore’s oldest and most well-known temples.
• The temple was reconstructed by Subramanya Shetty in 1915.
• The temple’s most notable feature is that the deity is worshipped during Rahukala, an inauspicious time according to Hindu beliefs.
• The temple is open to the public every day, but special pujas are performed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
• Devotees believe that worshipping Goddess Banashankari Amma in Rahukala will remove all hardships and poverty.
• The deity is worshipped by lighting multiple oil lamps inside half-cut lemon peels with the pulp removed.
• Banashankari Devi Temple was originally built in the Dravidian architectural style. The rebuilt structure follows the Vijayanagara architectural style.
• This is a Dvikuta temple, which consists of two shrines and two towers. This temple, like most temples in this region during this period (13th century), exhibits Nagara influence.
• The spiritual atmosphere of the temple provides peace to the hearts and minds of the devotees.

Festivals In Banashankari Amma Temple Bangalore

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct). The nine-day Navarathri festival culminates on Vijaya Dasami Day, when people worship arms and perform ayudha Pooja. Local chieftains used to throw lavish celebrations for the festival.
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Temple anniversary in Pushya Maasa, which falls either at the end of December or in the first week of January.
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Mahashivratri– A grand fair is organized at the temple during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.

Best Time to Visit Banashankari Amma Temple Bangalore

This place is heavenly and spiritual; you can visit it all year. However, the best time to visit this temple is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

How to Reach Banashankari Amma Temple Bangalore

Banashankari Amma Temple is a five-minute walk from the Banashankari Metro Station on Kanakapura Road.

By Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore International Airport, which is 41 km away from the Banashankari Amma Temple.

By Railway:  The nearest railway station is Bangalore Railway Station, which is 8.5 km away from the Banashankari Amma Temple in Bangalore.

By Roadways: The nearest city is Bangalore which is 8.5 km away from the Banashankari Amma Temple. Bangalore is well-connected by road, with numerous government and private buses operating to and from the town.

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