Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Banashankari Amma Temple , Badami Did you know that an uncommon sentry tower at the Banashankari Amma Temple near Badami town in Karnataka is a mélange of Vijayanagara Hindu and Islamic architectural styles? Banashankari Amma Temple (or Banashankari temple) is a Hindu shrine located at Cholachagudda near Badami, in Bagalkot district, Karnataka. The temple is popularly called 'Shakambhari' 'Banashankari or Vanashankari' as it is located in the Tilakaaranya forest. The temple deity is also called the Shakambhari (Kannada: ಶಾಕoಭರಿ), an incarnation of the goddess Parvati. Locals also call the temple goddess as Balavva, Banadavva, Sunkavva, Shiravanthi, Chowdamma and Vanadurge. It is believed that Banashankari is the sixth incarnation of the warrior-goddess Durga. The forests around the temple have coconut, plantain and betel leaf plants and trees. Hence, it is also said that during a severe famine, the goddess provided vegetables and food for the people to survi...