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Karnataka Banashankari Devastahana
Location | Noida Mor, New Delhi |
Built by | BAPS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj |
Built in | 06-Nov-05 |
Managed by | Swaminarayan Sect |
Inaugurated by | Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Manmohan Singh |
Also known as | SwaminarayanAkshardham |
Primary deity | Swaminarayan |
Architectural styles | VastuShastra and PancharatraShastra |
Attraction | Largest Temple complex in India |
Must See | Intricate architecture & various shows |
Banashankari temple one of the famous Hindu Shrines is situated in Bagalkot district in Cholachagudd in Karnataka, India. The temple is termed as Banashankari or VanaShankari by the local people and the temple is situated in Tilakaaranya forest. The major deity that is worshipped in the temple is the Shakambhari deity who is considered another form of goddess Parvati.
People from Karnataka and Maharashtra the neighboring state of Karnataka come to offer their prayers in the temple. The temple was originally built in 7th century by the then rulers Kalyani Chalukya Kings who used to worship deity Banashankari as their major deity. The temple was again reformed in 18th century by a Maratha chieftain. During the months of January and February the temple experiences the major rush of the devotees as the Banashankarujatre festival is celebrated at this time. The major celebrations that take place during the festival are the various cultural programs, boat festival and the famous Rath Yatra where the idol of the goddess is exhibited all around the city in a cart.
The history of the temple as narrated in Skanda Purana and Padma Purana says that the demons were harassing the local people of the area and then these people worshipped the gods to protect them from the demon named Durgamasura, then goddess Shakambri came to help the people and it came in the form of fire and killed the demon through her aggressive and stern avatar.
Architecture
The initial structure of the temple resembles that of the Dravidian architectural type while the reformed structure resembles the architectural style of the Vijayanagar type. The temple is surrounded by high rising walls. The other important areas of the temple are the portico, lobby type entrance to the main altar and then the altar that has a tower on its top. The main altar of the temple houses the sacred idol of the Banashankari goddess. The idol has been carved from the Black stone that depicts the goddess sits on the lioness stamping her feet on the demon.
The idol of the goddess has eight hands that hold different articles like a trident, hand drum, a skull cap, the war bell, a sword and a shield and the Vedic scriptures. The various communities who visit the goddess are the Chalukyas, Devanga weavers and the Deshastha Brahmins.
At the entrance of the temple is the sacred water pond that is 360 feet and is in a square shape which is referred to as Haridra Tirtha. The stone made halls surrounds the tanks to its three sides while a circular type of path surrounds the entire tank.
There are towers of Lamp that stand in the vicinity of the temple towards the west side of the pond. There is a tower named Victory tower that resembles the mixture of Islamic and Hindu style and guards the temple.
How To Reach
By Rail
The nearest rail line is the Hubli railway station that is well connected to other cities and states in India.The rail line is at a distance of 100 kms from Badami. Taxi can be hired from railway station to reach the temple.
By Air
The airport closest to reach the temple is in Belgaum that is at a distance of 195 km away. Taxis can be hired from the airport to reach the temple that cost almost Rs. 3000. Flights from all the major cities in the country are connected to Belgaum and majorly flights from Mumbai are connected to this airport.
By Road
The buses by state government run between Hubli and Badami. The city is also well connected to Bangalore and the ticket price is around Rs. 1500.
Weather And Best Time To Visit
The weather during the winter and spring season is the most pleasant and the months from September to February are the best months to visit the temple. Temperature varies from 13 degree Celsius to 32 degree Celsius during the winter months of November to January. The summers experience the temperature that goes as high as 41 degree Celsius and the months of April and May should be avoided for the visit to temple. The monsoon months show a good amount of rains in the area and few devotees come to visit the temple during the monsoons.
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