BANASHANKARI AMMA TEMPLE

This temple dedicated to Banashankari or Shakambari - one of the forms of Parvati - is located at Cholachagudda, also called Bana-shankari. Originally built by the Chalukya of Kalyan in the 7th century, the temple we see today, in Dravidian style, dates from the 17th century. The icon of the goddess is made of black stone; it shows Shakambari trampling a demon underfoot. A large pond lies in front of the temple called Harida Tirtha - a name that seems to derive from Harishchandra Tirtha, the goddess worshipped by the weaving community. A festival is held here in January-February.