This Banashankari temple travel guide covers the Banashankari Amma Temple near Badami, in Bagalkot district, northern Karnataka. It is one of the region’s busiest Shakti shrines, dedicated to the goddess Banashankari (Shakambhari), and it sits an easy drive from the Chalukya monuments at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal. Below you will find darshan timings, the story of the Haridra Tirtha tank, the big January–February jatra, how to reach the temple, and how to fold it into the heritage circuit.
Banashankari Amma Temple, in Cholachagudda village about 5 km from Badami in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district, is a Shakti shrine to the goddess Banashankari, a form of Parvati. It is known for its stepped Haridra Tirtha temple tank and a large January–February jatra, and pairs naturally with the Badami–Aihole–Pattadakal heritage trail.
Key takeaways
- Banashankari Amma Temple is in Cholachagudda village, about 5 km from Badami on the road to Gadag, in Bagalkot district, Karnataka (per Wikipedia, citing the temple’s location records).
- The deity is Banashankari or Shakambhari, a form of Parvati shown riding a lion (Simhavahini); the original shrine dates to the 7th-century Chalukya period, and the present structure was built in 1750 by the Maratha chieftain Parusharam Agale.
- Darshan timings are 6 am–1 pm and 3 pm–9 pm, according to the Incredible India temple page (verify locally during festival days).
- The temple’s Haridra Tirtha is a roughly 109 m (360 ft) square stepped tank with stone lamp towers; a Teppotsava (boat festival) is held on it during the jatra.
- The annual Banashankari jatra runs for several weeks around the Pausha–Magha full moon (January–February), with a rathotsava (chariot procession); expect large crowds then.
- The nearest railhead is Badami (BDM), about 5 km away; Hubballi is the nearest airport with regular flights.
About Banashankari Amma Temple
Banashankari Amma Temple is a Hindu Shakti shrine in Cholachagudda (also spelled Cholachagudd) village, about 5 km from Badami town, dedicated to the goddess Banashankari. The name blends vana (forest) and Shankari; the temple stands in what was once the Tilakaaranya forest, which is how the goddess came to be called the forest Shankari.
The goddess is also worshipped as Shakambhari, the mother who provides vegetables and grain (shaka means vegetables). According to the Inditales account of the shrine, the idol shows her as Simhavahini, seated on a lion with a demon beneath her feet. She was the tutelary deity of the Badami Chalukyas.
The origins are old. Per Wikipedia, which cites the temple’s history, the first shrine belongs to the 7th-century Chalukya era, associated with the ruler Jagadekamalla. The building you see today was constructed in 1750 by Parusharam Agale, a Maratha chieftain, and the rebuilt temple follows the Vijayanagara architectural style rather than the original Dravidian form. Old ruins stand near the present temple.
The Incredible India temple page describes the goddess as a form of Parvati and the sixth incarnation of Durga, and notes the two landmark features on the grounds: the Haridra Tirtha pond on the temple’s west side and the tall lamp towers known locally as Dweepa Sthambhas (lamp pillars).
Quick facts
- Full name and place: Banashankari Amma Temple, Cholachagudda, Badami taluk, Bagalkot district, Karnataka.
- Deity: Banashankari / Shakambhari, a form of Parvati, shown riding a lion.
- Coordinates: about 15.887°N, 75.705°E (Wikipedia).
- Nearest town and railhead: Badami, roughly 5 km away.
- Signature sights: the Haridra Tirtha stepped tank and the lamp towers.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Banashankari temple is the cool, dry window from October to February, when daytime heat is manageable and the surrounding Badami monuments are comfortable to walk. If you want the festival, come for the jatra around the January–February full moon; if you want quiet darshan, avoid those weeks.
Northern Karnataka’s summers are hot and the monsoon brings heavy spells, so most travellers plan around the winter. The table below is a general planning guide for the Badami region; always check the weather close to your dates.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Feb | Coolest and most comfortable for sightseeing and darshan; the jatra falls in Jan–Feb. |
| Summer | Mar–May | Hot and dry; start early, carry water, and rest in the afternoon. |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Greener landscape but humid, with rain spells; rock surfaces at Badami can be slippery. |
How to reach Banashankari temple
The simplest route is to base yourself in Badami, about 5 km away, and take a local bus, auto or taxi to the temple at Cholachagudda. Badami is on the railway map, which makes a train the easiest long-distance option for most visitors.
By rail: Badami Railway Station (station code BDM) is the nearest railhead, roughly 5 km from the temple, and the Incredible India page lists it as the nearest station. From Badami, autos and taxis run to Cholachagudda. Confirm current trains and timings on IRCTC/NTES before booking, as services change.
By air: The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Hubballi (HBX); Belagavi and Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru (BLR) are farther options with wider connections. From any of these you continue by train or road, so plan the last leg in advance. Treat exact airport distances as indicative and reconfirm.
By road: Karnataka state buses (KSRTC) and private operators link Badami with Bagalkot, Hubballi and other towns, and local buses run towards the temple. For the temple-hopping around Badami, hiring a car or auto for the day is the most flexible choice. Our wider Karnataka travel guide has more on getting around the state.
| From/To | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Badami town / railway station | ~5 km | Autos and taxis available; short hop. |
| Badami cave temples | ~5 km | Via Badami town. |
| Mahakuta temples | ~14–15 km | Early Chalukya temple group near Badami. |
| Pattadakal (UNESCO site) | ~23 km from Badami | Per Wikipedia; see the circuit section. |
| Aihole | ~35 km from Badami | About 10 km beyond Pattadakal. |
Darshan, the Haridra Tirtha tank and the jatra
Plan your darshan inside the temple’s open hours, then walk to the Haridra Tirtha tank, which is the shrine’s most photographed feature. According to the Incredible India page, the temple opens 6 am–1 pm and 3 pm–9 pm; during the jatra these patterns shift and queues lengthen, so arrive early.
The tank is a large stepped water body on the temple’s west side. Wikipedia records it as a 360 ft (about 109.7 m) square tank named Haridra Tirtha, described there as a corruption of the older name Harishchandra Tirtha. Steps descend on all sides to the water, and stone lamp towers rise at the edges; the Inditales account notes a local custom of floating newborns in banana-leaf cradles on the tank.
The temple’s big event is the Banashankari jatra. Per Wikipedia, it centres on the full-moon day of the Hindu month Pausha, which falls in January; the Inditales account describes a fair lasting about four weeks around the Magha full moon, so in practice the festival spreads across the January–February window. A Teppotsava, or boat festival, is held on the Haridra Tirtha tank, and a rathotsava (chariot procession) carries the goddess through the surroundings.
Expect dense crowds, stalls and cultural programmes during the jatra. It is a rewarding time for atmosphere but a slow time for a calm temple visit, so decide which experience you want before fixing dates.
| Feature | Why it matters | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Main shrine (garbhagriha) | Darshan of Banashankari/Shakambhari, the lion-riding goddess. | 30–60 min (longer in festival) |
| Haridra Tirtha tank | Large stepped tank with lamp towers; venue of the boat festival. | 20–30 min |
| Lamp towers (Dweepa Sthambhas) | Tall stone pillars, striking when lit. | 10–15 min |
| Old ruins nearby | Remains linked to the earlier temple. | 15 min |
Things to see on the Badami heritage circuit
The temple works best as one stop on the Chalukya heritage circuit, which strings together Badami, Mahakuta, Pattadakal and Aihole within easy driving distance. These sites together show how temple architecture developed in the 6th–8th centuries.
Badami cave temples are rock-cut shrines carved into a sandstone cliff above the Agastya Tirtha tank. The Archaeological Survey of India maintains the site; entry is ticketed. As of October 2026 online references quote about ₹25 for Indian visitors and ₹300 for foreign nationals, but treat these as indicative and reconfirm current ASI rates and opening hours on arrival.
Mahakuta, about 14–15 km from Badami, is a cluster of early Chalukya temples (6th–7th century) around a spring-fed tank, dedicated mainly to Shiva. It is a quieter, shaded stop that many day-trippers skip.
Pattadakal, about 23 km from Badami on the Malaprabha River, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1987. Per Wikipedia, it has ten major temples (nine Hindu and one Jain) alongside smaller shrines, blending northern and southern temple styles. It is a ticketed ASI site; reconfirm fees on the day.
Aihole, roughly 35 km from Badami and about 10 km beyond Pattadakal, is often called a cradle of Hindu rock architecture. Its Durga temple and Lad Khan temple are the usual highlights. You can read more regional context in our Karnataka travel guide.
A suggested two-day itinerary
Two days is enough to cover the temple and the main Chalukya monuments without rushing. Base yourself in Badami, which has the most accommodation and food.
- Day 1 – Badami and Banashankari: Morning at the Badami cave temples and the Agastya Tirtha tank; afternoon drive to Banashankari temple for darshan and the Haridra Tirtha tank; evening back in Badami.
- Day 2 – Pattadakal and Aihole: Early start to Pattadakal (UNESCO site); continue to Aihole for the Durga and Lad Khan temples; add Mahakuta on the return if time allows.
If you are here for the jatra, keep Day 1 lighter and allow extra hours at the temple for the crowds and the procession.
Where to stay in Badami
Most visitors stay in Badami, a short drive from the temple, where options run from simple lodges to a government hotel and a few mid-range properties. Book ahead for the jatra weeks and for weekends in the cool season.
The government option is the KSTDC Hotel Mayura Chalukya, Badami, run by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, with air-conditioned deluxe and semi-deluxe rooms, a restaurant and a location close to the bus stand and the caves. Book it through the KSTDC website. Private budget lodges cluster near the bus stand, while a handful of mid-range hotels and resorts sit on the edges of town.
- Budget: simple lodges near the bus stand, roughly ₹800–₹1,500 a night (indicative, reconfirm).
- Mid-range: KSTDC Mayura Chalukya and comparable hotels, roughly ₹1,500–₹3,500 a night (indicative, reconfirm).
- Higher-end: resorts on the outskirts, roughly ₹4,000 and up (indicative, reconfirm).
Food to try
Badami eats are solidly North Karnataka, built around jowar (sorghum) and local staples rather than rice. Meals at lodges and small restaurants are inexpensive and filling.
- Jolada rotti (flatbread made from jowar/sorghum), the regional staple, usually served with curries.
- Ennegayi (stuffed brinjal cooked in a spiced groundnut-and-sesame gravy), a North Karnataka signature.
- Jhunka-bhakri (a thick gram-flour dish eaten with millet bread), common and hearty.
- Thali meals at local restaurants, the easiest way to sample several dishes at once.
During the jatra, temporary stalls near the temple sell snacks and sweets; carry cash and your own water.
Budget breakdown
A no-frills two-day trip around Badami is affordable. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for two days and one night, assuming budget-to-mid stays, shared road transport and simple meals.
| Item | Estimate (per person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night, shared room) | ₹500–₹1,750 | Budget lodge to mid-range, halved for two sharing. |
| Local transport / day car (shared) | ₹600–₹1,200 | Autos plus a shared day taxi for the circuit. |
| Monument entry fees | ₹100–₹400 | Badami caves and Pattadakal (indicative ASI rates). |
| Food (2 days) | ₹400–₹900 | Thalis and snacks. |
| Approx. total | ₹1,600–₹4,250 | Excludes long-distance travel to Badami. |
Permits, photography and temple etiquette
No special permits are needed to visit Banashankari temple or the Badami monuments; this is open, ticketed heritage and temple territory, not a restricted zone. The main rules are about dress, photography and respect inside the shrine.
- Dress modestly for the temple; cover shoulders and knees, and remove footwear before entering the shrine.
- Photography norms vary: outer areas and the tank are usually fine, but follow any “no photography” signs near the sanctum and during rituals.
- At ASI monuments such as the Badami caves and Pattadakal, buy a ticket and keep flash off where asked; drone use at protected monuments needs prior permission, so do not fly without it.
- Carry out your litter, especially around the tank, and avoid single-use plastic where the temple or local rules restrict it.
Planning tips from this Banashankari temple travel guide
A few practical notes make the trip smoother. Badami is a small town, so plan cash, timings and the midday heat in advance.
- Cash and UPI: larger shops and hotels accept UPI, but carry cash for autos, small stalls and the jatra, where mobile signal can be patchy in crowds.
- Timing: start sightseeing early to beat both the heat and tour groups; the caves and monuments are more pleasant before midday.
- Footwear and water: you will climb steps at Badami and walk barefoot at the temple, so wear easy shoes and carry water.
- Medical: for anything serious, the nearest larger hospitals are in Badami and Bagalkot town; carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medicines.
- Solo and women travellers: the temple and circuit see steady family and pilgrim footfall and are generally straightforward by day; as anywhere, keep to daylight hours for travel between towns and share your plan.
- Packing: in winter bring a light layer for early mornings; in summer bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Nearby places
The temple sits at the heart of a compact heritage cluster, so you can see a lot in little driving. The table below lists the main stops and why they are worth your time.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Badami cave temples | ~5 km | Rock-cut Chalukya shrines above the Agastya Tirtha tank. |
| Mahakuta | ~14–15 km | Early Chalukya temple group around a spring-fed tank. |
| Pattadakal | ~23 km | UNESCO World Heritage temples on the Malaprabha River. |
| Aihole | ~35 km | A cradle of early Hindu temple architecture. |
Frequently asked questions
Where is Banashankari temple and how far is it from Badami?
Banashankari Amma Temple is in Cholachagudda village in Bagalkot district, Karnataka, about 5 km from Badami town on the road towards Gadag, according to location records cited by Wikipedia. The nearest railhead is Badami (BDM), from where autos and taxis reach the temple in minutes.
What are the Banashankari temple timings?
The temple opens 6 am–1 pm and 3 pm–9 pm, according to the Incredible India temple page. These hours can shift during the January–February jatra, when crowds are heavy, so arrive early and reconfirm locally if you are visiting on a festival day or a public holiday.
When is the Banashankari jatra held?
The Banashankari jatra is held around the Pausha–Magha full moon, which falls in January–February. Wikipedia places it on the Pausha full moon, while other accounts describe a fair lasting several weeks into Magha. A boat festival (Teppotsava) on the Haridra Tirtha tank and a chariot procession are the highlights.
What is the Haridra Tirtha tank?
The Haridra Tirtha is the temple’s large stepped water tank, recorded by Wikipedia as a roughly 109 m (360 ft) square tank and a corruption of the older name Harishchandra Tirtha. Steps descend to the water on all sides and stone lamp towers stand at the edges; it hosts the jatra’s boat festival.
Can I combine the temple with Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole?
Yes. Banashankari temple pairs naturally with the Chalukya circuit: the Badami caves are about 5 km away, Pattadakal (a UNESCO site) about 23 km, and Aihole about 35 km. Two days from a Badami base is enough to cover the temple and the main monuments without rushing.
Do I need a permit to visit?
No permit is needed to visit Banashankari temple or the Badami-area monuments; they are open temple and ticketed heritage sites, not restricted zones. You buy entry tickets at ASI monuments such as the Badami caves and Pattadakal, and drone photography at protected monuments requires prior permission.
Last updated and sources
Banashankari Amma Temple suits pilgrims and heritage travellers alike, best visited October–February and ideally woven into a two-day Badami circuit. Come for the jatra if you want the full festival, or outside it for a calmer darshan.
Last updated: 7 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India, Banashankari Temple page (incredibleindia.gov.in); Wikipedia, “Banashankari Amma Temple” (en.wikipedia.org); Wikipedia, “Pattadakal” (en.wikipedia.org); Bagalkot district administration, Places of Interest (bagalkot.nic.in); KSTDC, Hotel Mayura Chalukya Badami (kstdc.co); Inditales, Badami Banashankari Shakthipeetha (inditales.com). Accessed October 2026.
