Goddess Banashankari is an incarnation of Mother Goddess Shakti. It is in this form she nourishes all living beings. Banashankari Devi is popularly worshiped in the northern districts of Karnataka and southern parts of Maharashtra. She is essentially a forest Goddess in Hindu religion.
In the Devi Mahatmya it is mentioned that Goddess Shakti
appeared as Banashankari after a period of hundred years of drought. All the
plants had died and there was nothing to eat. Banashankari brought forth from
her body fruits, flowers, vegetables and herbs to suffice the hunger of the
people.
The form of Banashankari is described in detail in Durga
Saptashati. Banashankari is blue in color. Her eyes are like lotus flower. She
is depicted with numerous arms – one arm is shown as carrying a lotus with bees
circling it. The other hands carry bow, arrows, flowers, roots, and vegetables.
The most popular festival dedicated to Goddess Banashankari is
held from Paush Shukla Paksha Ashtami to Paush Purnima.
The most popular temple dedicated to her is located at Banashankari
village, which is around 5 kilometer from Badami in Karnataka.
The temple of Goddess Banashankari in Badami is one of the
most ancient shrines in Karnataka. The temple enshrines the black image of the Goddess
riding a fierce golden lion. Legend has it that the Goddess transformed herself
into a pond alongside the temple.
The temple is the site of an annual 20 days long religious
festival in January/February. A huge fair is organized here during the period.