Banashankari Amma Temple

Banashankari Amma Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Banashankari, a form of Parvati, located in the Banashankari locality of South Bengaluru, Karnataka. Established in 1915 and inspired by the historic Banashankari Temple at Badami, it is one of the city's prominent Shakti shrines. The temple features a Dravidian-style gopuram, sanctum with the deity idol, and hosts major gatherings during Navratri and the annual Banashankari Jatre festival.

Visitors can expect a busy urban temple complex with a tall gopuram, pillared mandapa, and sanctum housing the idol of Goddess Banashankari adorned with flowers and vermilion. The premises include offering stalls, coconut-breaking area, and prasada counters. The atmosphere is devotional with chanting, bells, and queues for darshan, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays and during Rahukala. The temple is surrounded by shops selling flowers, garlands and puja items in a dense residential area of South Bengaluru.

The temple was established in 1915 by Somanna Shetty, a devotee of Goddess Banashankari, who installed the deity after being inspired by the 7th-century Banashankari Temple at Badami built by the Chalukyas. It was developed to provide a local shrine for devotees in Bengaluru who could not travel to Badami, and has since grown into a major Shakti temple in the city.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Banashankari, regarded as an incarnation of Parvati and the forest goddess Shakambhari. It is an important Shakti worship centre in Bengaluru, especially revered by women devotees. Rahukala puja, lemon garlands, and special alankara are central rituals. Navratri, Durga Puja and the annual Banashankari Jatre attract large congregations.