Banashankari Devi temple, Bangalore

The Banashankari Devi temple in Bangalore is one of the older temples of the city. When it was built, it belonged to the outskirts of Bengalooru, possibly with thick trees and not many houses around it. It was built in 1915, according to a notice. Today, the temple is at the heart of activities, with the metro construction on at full swing just in front of it, and a crowded junction and a BMTC bus terminus next door.

We head to the temple, which is unique in many different ways. The faithful flock to Goddess Banashankari with varieties of offerings. The word ‘Banashankari’ is made up of two words - vana or bana meaning forest, and Shankari meaning the consort of Lord Shiva. There is a famous Banashankari Devi temple in Badami, Bagalkot in Karnataka. 

A view from the parking lot

Getting inside the temple is a little tricky if you are coming from the direction of Jayanagar, but once you enter, it is all worth it! There is ample parking space inside for a small fee, and facilities include paid restroom as well. The temple is being renovated and developed continuously, thanks to devotees' donations. We park and have to walk to the other end of the compound to keep our footwear. We wash our hands and feet at the row of taps just next to the footwear stand and proceed.

One of the features of this temple is that special prayers are held for the Goddess during the Rahu Kalam, which is traditionally considered to be an inauspicious time by most Hindus. The superstitious ones avoid doing any important tasks during the Rahu Kalam. However, here the special prayers are held during the Rahu Kalam! A small board outside indicates the prayer timings. 

Devotees enter the main temple of Banashankari Devi through a small door on the side. We enter and pay our respects to Lord Ganesha. The queue moves straight on (we cannot do a pradakshinam here) to Goddess Banashankari. 

Amma is beautiful in black stone, with a silver crown, and in a silver sheath. She is depicted in a rare form as riding her vehicle, the lion. Strangely, what looks like a tortoise is seated in the traditional position of the deity’s vehicle (facing the Goddess). We are heralded forward by the incessant crowds. Next to Devi Lord Shiva is worshipped. We pay our respects to the Lord, and walk to the front of the shrine, away from the queue to stand and pray in peace. 

We step out on to the covered circumambulatory path, where some people are lighting lamps on lemon peels. This is believed to be a special offering to Banashankari Devi. We complete the pradakshinam, and pay our respects to the navagrahas, housed in a small shrine to the left of Devi. 

The pillared circumambulatory path

We then head out to the shrine of Shakhambari Devi. Shakhamabri means the Goddess who feeds the hungry. ‘Shakha’ means vegetables, and ‘ambari’ means one who bears. A small well and a peepul tree stand in the compound just in front of Devi’s shrine. The utsava murthys of Devi and Lord Shiva are worshipped just before Shakhambari Devi. We pay our respects to them, and move out of the queue to do a pradakshinam.

Goddess Shakhamabari's shrine

We complete our prayers, and head to the footwear stand. It is early evening, and the crowds are picking up. Having had a peaceful darshan, we slowly head out.

The well and tree

I hope you enjoyed today’s temple visit. Next week, we will go to another devalayam. Till then, take care, and stay devout!