The Begining

The Skanda Puranas mention that our ancestors Saraswat Brahmins habituated North vindyagiri (Kashmir). They resided on the banks of the Saraswati River. Historical records/ narration state that this clan comprised of well educated, highly intelligent people with exceptional cultural and social backgrounds. It is the popular belief that the Vedas and many other holy scriptures of the Hindus originated on the banks of this sacred river.

The Story

Having arrived in Gomantaka, our ancestors chose Sashasti provinces (present Madgaon) for their settlement. They prospered and by nature being religious, turned their minds to their Kuladevatha. This resulted in building a beautiful temple at Banavli where they worshipped Shree Katyayani and Shree Baneshwar and accompanying deities (Parivar Devathe) with customary rituals and traditions, and all faith and devotion.

The Legend

There is a legend narrated often that once a devotee vowed that he would adorn the Goddess with a thousand rupees worth of Marigold (Gonde) flowers, if he succeeded in the venture he was about to undertake. Success was his and towards fulfilling his vow he came to Aversa. It was not the season for Marigold (Gonde) flowers and having come to the temple he realized that it was impossible to buy a thousand rupees worth of Marigold flowers in that small village and in that particular season.

The Obeisance

There are several incidents where some miscreants with wicked intentions and who could not bear to acknowledge our Devi’s “Karanika Shakthi” attempted to malign HER, but failed miserably. Dispite all this, Devi has shown tolerance and even today she is protecting us. It is our good fortune that she is forever responding to our call and giving succor to us. We offer to ADI SHAKTI SHREE KATYAYANI our boundless and wholehearted obeisance.