Vishalakshi Temple, Varanasi

The Vishalakshi Temple or Vishalakshi Gauri Temple is located at mir Ghat on the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. This Hindu temple is devoted to the goddess Vishalakshi Maa (indicates large-eyed Devi) and It is among 51 Shakti Pitha, the most spiritual temples devoted to the Hindu Divine Mother.

History

The chief legend of Vishalakshi relates to the creation of the Shakti Peethas. Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, was married to the god Shiva versus his wishes. Daksha arranged a great yajna but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the Yajna site, where Daksha ignored Sati as well as Shiva.

Sati was not able to withstand this insult. So, Devi Sati gave her life by jumping into the fire of Havan organized by her father King Daksh. When Lord Shiva was running around the planet carrying her body Lord Vishnu divided the body into 51 parts utilizing his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Earrings or Kundal’ of Sati fell to this place. Goddess worshiped here as Maa Vishalakshi & Lord Shiva as Kala or Kaal Bhairva.

Importance

Devotees take bathe in the holy water of the Gange prior to using worship to the Vishalakshi Maa. The devotees strongly believe that offering puja, Jal, and chanting songs to the goddess is extremely profitable as the Goddess gives success and wealth. Single females worship the Goddess Vishalakshi to get their groom, childless mothers to get a kid, and regrettable people for their bright fortune.

Architecture

The Vishalakshi Temple has a unique architecture of the South Indian style. Adi Shankaracharya visited this temple in the 8th century CE and enshrined a Shri Yantra. The wonderfully beautified Gopuram over the main entryway shows Mata Lakshmi sitting on a Lotus with elephants on each side. The outside space of the temple has Shivlings together with Nandi, a Ganesh sculpture, and a statue of Adi Shankaracharya. Another space of the temple is the Navagrahas (Nine Planets). In the portico, we can see representations of the 12 zodiac indications and the marital relationship of Lord Shiva and Minakshi Devi.

9 planetary deities from Vedic astrology in anthropomorphic form in the Temple:

1. Surya (Sun)
2. Chandra (Moon)
3. Budha (Mercury)
4. Shukra (Venus)
5. Mangala (Mars)
6. Brihaspati (Jupiter)
7. Shani (Saturn)
8. Rahu (Ascending/North lunar node)
9. Ketu (Descending/South lunar node).

Idol

In the Temple of the Varanasi Vishalakshi Temple are enshrined two Idols of Vishalakshi Devi. The first is the original historical Idol known as Adi Vishalakshi. The second is a new Idol that was enshrined when the temple was renovated by a group of Tamil devotees.

Festivals

• Navratri
• Kajali Tij: celebrated on the third day of the Bhadon month (Krishna Paksha).

Other Places To Visit

• Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
• Annapurna Temple
• Kaal Bhairav Temple Kashi
• Vishwanath Temple
• Maha Gauri Mandir
• Gyan Kup (Gyan Vapi well)

Temples in Varanasi

How to Reach

• By Air: Varanasi Airport is the nearest Airport and it is about 25  km from the temple.
• By Train: Varanasi Cant. The railway station is nearest Railway Station and it is about 1.5  km from the temple and Varanasi Junction railway station is about 4.5  km from the temple.
• By Road: Varanasi has a well-connectivity of roads connecting main cities throughout India. Public and private transportation are easily available to reach the temple.

Temple Timings

Morning Timing	Evening Timing
4.30 AM to 11.00 AM	5.00 PM to 10.00 PM

Vishalakshi Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Video