Banashankari > Badami

Date of Journey: 17^th June 2012
Total Distance: ~300 KM
Route Followed: Hubli > Annigeri > Gadag > Ron > Banashakari > Badami

One of my best friend Prashantha's marriage was scheduled at Davangere, so I and Shilpa planned to attend it. As the marriage was on Friday we had a weekend to spend so we traveled to Shilpa's sister house at Hubli. My co-brother promised to take us one day outing to any nearby place which we decide. Finally we concluded to have darshana at Banashankari temple and visit Badami caves.

Trip Map:

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Total 4 adults and 3 kids got ready by 8:00AM in the morning and left Hubli in my co-brother's car. This was the first time I am travelling in Hubli region so my co-brother guided me with all details like weather, irrigation, life style of the peoples etc. Winter was just started so climate was in very good condition, it’s almost cloudy and there were little bit raining as well. With lots of gupshup we covered around 110KM without our knowledge and by 11:00AM we reached Banashankari temple.

Temple Entrance

Preserved monument

This temple is constructed in 7th century by Jagadekamalla I king of Kalyani Chalukya who worshiped Banashankari Amma as their Kuladevate. Renovated structure of this temple is constructed in 17century by Parusharam Agale a Maratha chieftain.

Main Temple

Every year Banashankari jatre is conducted in the month of “Pushya” i.e. January which lasts for a month.  Most of the devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra will visit that time. More than 100 of stalls will be opened at that time and also serves famous north Karnataka sweet like “Karadantu”. Along with this there is also Rath yatra and Teppotsava are also celebrated.

The main sanctum of the temple has the image of goddess Banashankari diefied in it. The black stone sculpture depicts the goddess seated on a lioness trampling a demon under her foot. The goddess has eight arms and holds a trishul (trident), damaru (hand drum), kamaalpatra (skull cup), ghanta (war bell), Vedic scriptures and khadg-kheta (sword and shield).

There are 3 huge Deepa Stambhas (lamp pillars) inside the temple seems like it will be lighted during the festival season during Kartika.

Deepa stambhas inside temple premises

There is a 360 ft (109.7 m) square water tank in the forefront of the temple at the entrance, which is locally called as Haridra Tirtha. The pond is enclosed with stone mantapas (halls) on three sides. A pradakshina or circumambulatory path surrounds the tank.

Pushkarani opposite to temple

Stone mantapa surrounding the pushkarani

Lamp towers (Deepa stambhas) are seen in the foreground of the temple on the west bank of the pond and also at the entrance. The tower on the bank of the tank is also an uncommon guard tower which is "reflects the Vijayanagara blend of Hindu and Islamic style" it is called the Victory Tower.

Watch Tower

Closeup view of watch tower or light stand.

 Few months back there was an article in Kannada Prabha on this temple, which mentioned all the details about this temple. They have also mentioned regarding the local women’s serving typical North Karnataka lunch "Jolada Rotti Oota" in temple premises. There were many such women’s carrying roties in the basket on their head and asking visitors to have it. We all had our breakfast on the way but still wanted   to taste one. When asked for a woman she told one rotti + 2 curries + Curd + Onion will cost just 10Rs.

She took us to pushkarani opposite to temple and served the delicious homemade food. There was a line mentioned in the article that "these women’s humbleness towards visitors to eat healthy and hygienic food is greater than what they earn from selling it" seems to be 100% true, they serve the food like my mother serves me at home. When I told the woman that all their efforts have been published in the news paper she was very happy to hear that. Sky is already getting cloudy and seems like it will rain, so we finished our lunch and headed our journey towards Badami Cave Temples.