Banashankari Temple – Amargol

About

Banashankari is a form of Goddess Parvati. The reason why Parvati took up this form is explained In the Skanda Purana. When people on earth were being tormented by an Asura named Durgamasura, the Devas prayed to Goddess Parvati to relieve them of this menace. So, the Goddess came down to earth and killed the Asura. She was known as Vana Shankari, the Goddess of the forest. This later became Banashankari.

An architectural marvel and is located near the Unkal Lake and Chandramouleshwara Temple. The temples built in this area in the 13th-century exhibit northern influence. They have the Nagara style incorporated into them. This temple is no exception.

It is a Dvikuta -a two shrine/two-tower temple. Like most temples in this region of this period, this temple also exhibits Nagara influence. This temple has two shrines topped with Vimanas, one in the stepped-diamond shaped Nagara style and the other in the Dravida style.

One shrine houses the main deity, Devi Banashankari, and the other houses a Shiva Linga. The main Banashankari shrine is built in the Nagara Style. This shrine has been fully renovated. The restoration work on the other shrine is ongoing.

The Navaranga Mandapa in this temple has beautiful pillars decorated with figures of Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Narasimha, Ganapathi, Brahma, and other Gods.