🌸 Shakambari Devi Navratri (28.12.2025 to 03.01.2026)
Shakambari Devi is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is generally depicted sitting on a lion and is known as Simhavahini Durga, appearing in the form of Ashta Bhuja (eight-armed).
Shakambari Navratri is observed from Pushya Shukla Ashtami to Pushya Shukla Purnima.
Shukla Chaturdashi is celebrated as Shakambari Jayanti, while Purnima is observed as Shakambhari Purnima.
She incarnated to save humanity from a severe drought caused by the demon Durgamasura. She wept for nine days, and from her tears emerged the Malaprabha River, which flows near the famous Badami Cave Temples. She nourished the world by producing food from her own body.
Meaning of Shakambhari
- Shaka – Vegetables
- Bhari – Bearer
She is also known as Banashankari, the Goddess of nourishment, abundance, and sudden prosperity, and is revered as Shatakshi (the thousand-eyed goddess).
🏯 Famous Banashankari Temple – Badami, Karnataka
Badami, formerly known as Vātāpi, is a town and taluk headquarters in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka.
Adi Shankaracharya, the great philosopher and proponent of Advaita Vedanta, is closely associated with this sacred place.
The region is home to a 5th-century man-made lake, created by Rishi Agastya, located near the iconic Badami Cave Temples. The lake’s waters are believed to possess healing powers, making it a highly revered spiritual site. The Chalukyas once ruled from here, enriching its historical legacy.
🌿 Daily Offerings to Goddess Shakambari
During pooja, the Goddess is offered:
- Vegetables, fruits, dry fruits
- Cardamom and clove malas
- Special dishes like mixed vegetable curry, daal khichdi, and white cow milk sweets
She especially loves:
- Green sarees
- Green bangles
- Green betel leaves
- Green fruits and sweets such as petha, almond barfi, and pista
📜 Sacred Texts
- Devi Bhagavatam – Chapter 11
- Banashankari Mahatyam
- Kanakadhara Stotram (10 verses)
🙏 Shakambhari Devi Prayer
शाकम्भरी देवी नमोस्तुते
नमस्ते शतचक्षुजले
शाकपुष्पफलप्रदे
Meaning:
“O Shakambhari Devi, I bow to you. O Goddess with countless eyes, you bestow vegetables, flowers, and fruits upon the world. 🙏🌿”
