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Goddess Vanashankari – About Hindu Goddess Vanasankari

Goddess Vanashankari is an incarnation of Mother Goddess Shakti. It is in this form she nourishes all living beings. She is popularly worshiped in the northern districts of Karnataka and southern parts of Maharashtra. She is essentially a forest Goddess.

In the Devi Mahatmya, it is mentioned that Goddess Shakti appeared as Vanashankari after a period of hundred years of drought. All the plants had died and there was nothing to eat. Vanashankari brought forth from her body fruits, flowers, vegetables and herbs to suffice the hunger of the people.

Vanasankari

The form of Vanashankari is described in detail in Durga Saptashati. Vanasankari 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. Her vehicle is a lion.

The most popular festival dedicated to Goddess Vanashankari 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.