Banashankari Temple, Amargol, Karnataka

Banashankari Temple, Amargol, Karnataka

Banashankari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located in Amargol Town near Hubli City in Dharwad District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Temple is situated close to the Unkal Lake and Chandramouleshwara Temple. The temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

As per legend, Goddess Parvathy came to this place to rescue the people from the atrocities of demon named Durgamasura. She annihilated the demon and saved the people. This place was dense forest in ancient times. Hence, she came to be called as Vana Shankari / Bana Shankari (Goddess of Forest).

History

The Temple was built by Western Chalukyas in 12^th century CE. An inscription dated to 1120 CE in this temple records that Saudhore Jakkarasa built the temple for Kesava and Bhairava at Amargol. Hence, it becomes clear that the present temple was originally dedicated to Kesava and Bhairava. The temple was converted to the temple of Banashankari and Lord Shiva at later stage.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east and follows dvikuta style (two shrines with its shikara). The central shrine enshrines a mutilated image of Bhairavi (Banashankari) on a pedestal in its sanctum. This shrine is facing towards east. The super structure (shikara) over this shrine follows stepped diamond shaped nagara style.

The other shrine enshrines a Shiva Linga in its sanctum. This shrine is facing towards south. The super structure (shikara) over this shrine follows dravidian style. Both the shrines consists of sanctum, antrala & ardha mandapa and shares a common navaranga. The navaranga has two entrances on the eastern and southern side. The sanctum of these shrines are square on plan.

The pillars of the navaranga have the relief sculptures of Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Ugra Narasimha, Nataraja, Ganapathi, Bhairava, Bhairavi, Varaha, Baitali, Brahma, Surya etc. The outer wall of the temple has a moulded plinth. The exterior wall is decorated with pilasters and devakoshtas. The exterior walls are mostly defaced during the Muslim invasions.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 750 metres from Amargol Bus Stop, 2.5 Kms from Amargol Railway Station, 6 Kms from Hubli, 8 Kms from Hubli Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Hubli Junction Railway Station, 11 Kms from Hubli Airport, 12 Kms from Dharwad, 14 Kms from Dharwad Railway Station and 16 Kms from Dharwad Bus Stand. The temple is situated on Hubli to Dharwad route.

Location | Photos