The Banashankari Temple is one of the most popular temples in the city of Bangaluru. People in large numbers visit this temple every day. The temple was established in the year 1915 by one of it's devotee.There are many interesting facts associated with the temple. The devotees of this temple not only follow a unique way of worshiping the goddess but also perform rituals during the most inauspicious periods of the Hindu calendar.It is said that Somanna Shetty brought the idol of goddess Banshankari from Badami’s Banshankari Amma Temple and established here. Sommana Shetty was a great devotee of goddess Banshankari.
Maa Banshankari Idol
Story Behind: Legend has it that the temple was visited by three ladies or "pativratas" many years ago. They requested the priest of the temple to help them conduct a ritual for their prosperity. This made the priest very nervous as the day on which they had come for the ritual was a Rahukaal day. The Hindus believe that "Rahukaal" is the most inauspicious period of the Hindu calendar and hence no sacred worship or rituals should be performed on these days. Hence, the priest of the temple refused as that could bring ill-fate to the ladies. But the three ladies insisted the priest for the prayer and pleaded him continuously to perform the ritual for them. Finally, the priest agreed and completed the ritual for the three ladies. After the completion of ritual, the priest asked the three ladies to wait for the prashad. When he returned with prashad, the three ladies had vanished. This made the people believe that the three ladies were none other than the goddess herself. Since then, the people perform many grand rituals here in the temple during the Rahukal, one of the ominous days of the Hindu.
Temple Side View
Temple Believes: The devotees here have a special way to light their diyas and ask for the blessings of the goddess Banashankari through their diyas. People here use the lemons as a diya. They are cut from the centre and their pulps are removed, for pouring the oil in them. Then the lemons are lighted with the diyas. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays are considered auspicious days here in the temple. It is strongly believed that the goddess removes all the troubles and sorrows from the life of her devotees during the Rahukala.
Temple View
Temple Celebrations:People in huge numbers get assembled here on the 13th of September of every year to celebrate the birth anniversary of the goddess Banshankari. It is the biggest festival of the temple along with other major festivals like Dusshera and is celebrated to welcome the goddess back to her home. The anniversary of the temple is celebrated in the end of the December month and starting of the January month. Hence, hundreds and thousands of people visit this temple on these days to attain the blessings of goddess Banshankari and worship here to remove the hardships from their lives.
How to reach the temple:
By Air: Devotee can hire Taxis from Kempegowda Bangaluru International Airport
By Rail: Bangaluru Railway station is well connected with all parts of India.
By Road: Regular buses and taxis are available from city.
Timing:
The temple is open for devotees from 6.00 am to 8 pm. Daily Aarti’s in the morning, evening and night takes place.
Accommodation:
All types of accommodations are available in Bangaluru city.
Leave A Response
Shared Thoughts 
Videos