Temple Description

The Banashankari Devi Temple, often referred to as the Banashankari Temple, is a significant Hindu shrine situated at Cholachagudda near Badami in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. The temple is commonly known as ‘Shakambhari,’ ‘Banashankari,’ or ‘Vanashankari,’ reflecting its location in the Tilakaaranya forest. The deity honored here is Shakambhari, a form of the goddess Parvati.

Devotees from Karnataka and neighboring Maharashtra visit this temple, which was originally established by the 7th-century Badami Chalukya kings. They revered the goddess Banashankari as their protective deity. The temple hosts an annual festival called the Banashankari Jatre, held in January or February. This event features cultural performances, a boat festival, and a Rath Yatra, during which the goddess is paraded around the city in a chariot. Shakambhari Devi, a form of Maa Shakambhari, is primarily worshipped at the ancient Shaktipeeth in Saharanpur District, Uttar Pradesh. The Banashankari Temple also features statues of Bhima, Bhramari, Shatakshi, and Ganesha alongside the goddess.