Banashankari Temple : Kanakapura Road  - Hindu temple
The uniqueness of Sri Banashankari Amma Temple is that the deity, Banashankari Amma is worshipped in Rahukala, an inauspicious time according to Hindu belief. The area, Banashankari is named after the goddess. Situated on the busy Kanakapura Road, it is one of the most popular temples of Bangalore. Devotees believe that by worshipping the goddess Banashankari Amma in Rahukala one's hardships and poverty will be removed.
Considering the large number of devotees who come to the temple, the Government of Karnataka has taken it into the purview of the Endowment Department. Though the temple is opened to devotees everyday, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays are special days when thousands of devotees throng to the temple from dawn to dusk to offer special Pujas. The goddess is worshipped with deeparaadhane by lighting multiple oil lamps in half cut lemon peels with the pulp removed.

Sri Banashankari Temple in Southern Bangalore, situated on Kanakapura Road, is one of the most popular temples in the City. People have strong faith in the goddess and it is believed that she grants wishes for prayers made in right earnest. The belief is so strong that thousands of people visit this place everyday. The hundi here is believed to attract one of the largest collections of donations from the devout in the City

The idol of goddess Banashankari was brought to the City from Badami in Bijapur district by a devotee Somanna Shetty. The temple witnesses three major festivals - Banashankari Utsav (Sept), Dasara (Oct) and the temple’s anniversary celebrations (Dec - Jan)
The temple was built in 1915 by a devotee, Somanna Shetty who installed a deity of Banashankari Amma brought all the way from Badami in Bijapur district.
There are three big cultural ceremonies that are held annually at the temple. The first one on September 13 every year celebrates the birthday of Banashankari Amma. The temple also conducts the Dasara Festival in October and the temple anniversary in Pushya Maasa, which falls either in the end of December or in the first week of January.
Location:    Kanakapura Road
Dedicated To:     Banashankari Amma
Unique Time and Form of Offering Prayers
One of the unique features of this temple is that the deity is worshipped in Rahukala, considered to be an inauspicious time according to Hindus. It is believed that worshipping Banashankari Amma in Rahukala rids one of all the hardships and paucities in life. There is a large rush of devotees in the temple, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, considered to quite auspicious for doing puja. The prayers are offered by lighting multiple oil lamps in half cut lemon peels, whose pulp has been removed.

Annual Cultural Ceremonies
Three cultural ceremonies are held at the Banashankari temple of Bangalore, every year. The first ceremony, commemorating the birth anniversary of Banashankari Amma, is held on 13th September. The second one is held as a celebration of the Dussehra festival, in October-November. The third, and the last, ceremony is held in the last week of December or the first week of January, to mark the anniversary of the temple. The temple organizes three big cultural ceremonies every year. The birthday of Banashankari Amma, which falls on the 13th of September, is the major festival. The Dussehra Festival celebrated in October and the temple anniversary in Pushya Maasa Pushya Maasa (December/ January) are the other festivals celebrated with much pomp and splendor.

A popular belief among the devotees is that by worshipping goddess Banashankari Amma in Rahukala, all the hardships and poverty will be removed. Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays are believed to be the most auspicious days to worship the goddess. The deity is worshipped by lighting multiple oil lamps in half cut lemon peels with the pulp removed.

Banashankari Temple Photo Gallery