Banashankari Navratri is a nine-day Navratra festival celebrated in Paush Month as per Kannada calendar (Pushya maasa). In 2025-2026, Banashankari Navratri dates are – December 28 to 3 January 2026.
Banashankari Navratri is celebrated with great fervor at Banashankari Amma Temple of Cholachagudd near Badami, in Bagalkot district of Karnataka.
The 9-day festival begins on Banada Ashtami, 8th day of Pushya Maasa, and ends on Paush Purnima, Full Moon day in Pushya Maasa.
Read more on Banashankari Temples in Karnataka…
Banashankari Temple, Badami, Bagalkot district
Banashankari Temple, Hosura, Bagalkot district
Banashankari Temple, Govanakoppa, Belgaum district
Banashankari Temple, Yamakanamaradi, Belgaum district
What Banashankari Navratri is
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Banashankari is a form of Parvati/Shakambhari who destroyed the asura Durgamasura and nourished beings with vegetables and crops; she is specially worshipped in Karnataka as a grama‑devata and kuladevi.
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Banashankari Navratri usually means either:
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The Paush‑month Shakambhari Navratri (Banada Ashtami to Paush Purnima), or
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The Sharadiya/other Navratris when the Banashankari temples hold special nine‑day Devi worship, alankarams and cultural programs.
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Shakambhari / Banada Ashtami Navratri
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Shakambhari Navratri begins on Paush Shukla Ashtami (called Banada Ashtami/Banadashtami in Karnataka) and ends on Paush Purnima, running 8 days in most years.
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In Karnataka, the same goddess is venerated as Banashankari; Banada Ashtami and the following days see special pujas, vegetable offerings and fairs at Banashankari temples (Badami, Bengaluru, etc.).
Badami & Bengaluru traditions
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At Badami Banashankari temple (Bagalkot), Shakambhari/Banashankari Navratri around Paush culminates in Paush Purnima rathotsava and a large jatre; devotees come from many villages, with deepa‑seve, homa and cultural events.
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At Bengaluru Banashankari temple (Kanakapura Road), major annual events are Banashankari Jatre (Jan–Feb), Navaratri/Dussehra and Deepavali; Navratri brings special alankarams, lemon‑deepa lighting and evening programs for all nine nights.
Key rituals and observances
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Daily: Alankara of the Devi, abhisheka, special archana, lighting of many deepas (including lemon‑oil lamps), and large crowds for darshan and mangalarati.
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During Shakambhari/Banashankari Navratri:
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Offering of vegetables and green crops symbolising Shakambhari’s “shaka‑anna‑pradana”.
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Fasting or upavasa for devotees, recitation of Devi stotras, and participation in rathotsava and deepa‑seve for kshema, crop protection and family prosperity.
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