VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Banashankari Amma Temple / Vanashankari Amma Temple, Cholachagudda, Badami, Bagalkot District, Karnataka.

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Banashankari Amma Temple / Vanashankari Amma Temple, Cholachagudda, Badami, Bagalkot District, Karnataka.

The visit to this Banashankari Amma Temple near Badami was a part of the “Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Mahakuta and Aihole temples Heritage visit” organized by வரலாறு விரும்பிகள் சங்கம் Varalaru Virumbigal Sangam – VVS and எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு, between 24^th December to 28^th December 2022. Even though it was not planned earlier, thanks to the organizers for including this in our temple Visit. I extend my sincere thanks to the organizers Mrs. Radha Mrs. Nithya Senthil Kumar and Mr Senthil Kumar.

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The Banashankari Amma Temple is inside the Tilakaaranya forest. The presiding deity Banashankari is also called Shakambhari in Kannada, an incarnation of Ma Parvati. There are statues of Bhima, Bhramari, Shatakshi, and Ganesha along with Mother in this temple. 3 Deepa Sthambas are after the entrance mandapam and another Deepasthambam is on the Guard building. These Deepa Sthambas are used once to lit with oil lamps for lighting inside and around the temple.

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ARCHITECTURE

Initially, the temple was built in Dravidian architecture later same was reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period. The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, ardha mandapam, Mukha mandapam. Amman Banashankari in the sanctum Sanctorum is in a sitting posture on the Lion and the demon is under her feet. Amman is with 8 hands holding Trishul, Damaru, Kapalam, ghanta, Vedic Scriptures, Sword, Shield and severed head of a demon.

The Guard structure is of Indo-Islamic architecture also called as Victory tower. The Chalukya Pillars can be seen in the mukha mandapam and the mandapa around the Temple tank.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple is believed to have been built during the 7^th century CE - the Kalyani Chalukya’s period to Jagadekamalla- I in 603 CE (according to epigraphic inscriptions) who installed the image of the goddess. The present temple was renovated/reconstructed in 1750 CE, by Parusharam Agale, a Maratha chieftain.

Another 1019 CE, inscription in the Kannada language on a pillar installed on the northern side of the temple, records the bravery of the Rashtrakuta king "Bhimadeva".

As per the inscriptions, the Deepa Sthambas / lamp pillars at the entrance to the temple were installed by the "Ketimayya".

LEGENDS

As per the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana, the demon Durgamasura harassed the local people. So they prayed to Devas to save them. The Devas prayed Shiva and Shiva directed Shakambari to help the local people. Shakambari who came out of Yagna, killed the demon and saved the local people. Banashankari is believed to be the incarnation of Ma Parvati, who is the consort of Shiva.

As per the legend, the original Deity Sri Banashankari Amma existed in the same place, even before the construction of the temple by Kalyani Chalukyas.

It is believed that Banashakhari is a form of Maa Shakambhari Devi (Vegetable goddess) whose real, main, and ancient temple is located in Saharanpur District in Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Shaktipeeth / Sakthi peeda of Shakambhari Devi.

The Amman is a kuladeivam for "Devangar Kulam" ( Weaver Community ) and Deshastha Brahmins.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, the annual festival with Rath Yatra is for three weeks, which starts on the 8^th day of Pushya Masa (January – February) on full moon day, 108 food items are offered to Amman made out of Vegetables. Cattle fairs will also be held.