Banashankari Amma Temple
Banashankari Devi Temple (or Banashankari temple) is a 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 (Kannada: ಶಾಕoಭರಿ), an incarnation of the goddess Parvati.
| Shri Shakambhari Shakti Peetha, Cholachagudda, Badami | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Bagalkot |
| Deity | Shakambhari or Banashankari, form of goddess Parvati |
| Festivals | Banashankari jatre |
| Location | |
| Location | Badami |
| State | Karnataka |
| Country | India |
Location in Karnataka | |
| Geographic coordinates | 15°53′14″N 75°42′18″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
| Creator | Originally Chalukyas |
| Completed | 18th century (current structure), original temple 7th century |
The temple attracts devotees from Karnataka as well as the neighbouring state of Maharashtra. The original temple was built by the 7th century Badami Chalukya kings, who worshipped goddess Banashankari as their 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.