Vishalakshi Temple Varanasi

About-kaal-bhairav-Temple
Vital Information for Visitors
Address:

Vishalakshi Gauri Temple, Kashi Lahori Tola, Mir Ghat, Varanasi, U.P.

Open & Close:

Open on all days

Timings:

04:30 AM – 11:00 AM
05:00 PM – 10:00 AM

Entry Fees:

Nil

Duration:

30 Min to 1 Hour

Significance :

One of the Shaktipeeth & famous for celebration of Kajli Teej

Mir Ghat of Varanasi gives way or access to Dharma Kupa & Vishalakshi Temple (विशालाक्षी मन्दिर), inhabited by the goddess Vishalakshi — literally, ‘the large-eyed’, an epithet of Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. Vishalakshi Temple in Varanasi is one of the ‘shaktipithas’ of India. It is located at few minutes walking distance from Kashi Vishwanath temple. As per a legend, it is the site where ‘karnakundal’ (कर्णकुण्डल - earrings) of Sati had fallen. Owing to this reason, the goddess is also called Manikarni Vishalakshi or Manikarnika Vishalakshi. Therefore, some people consider it as ‘uppeeth’ (उपपीठ). But majority of the Hindu faithful believe in the legend which claims that Goddess Sati’s one of the eyes had fallen at the temple site. Since divine mother’s body part had dropped here, the temple built over the site is considered one of the fifty one Shaktipeeth (शक्तिपीठ). According to Skand Purana, Goddess Vishalakshi appeared as housewife & offered food to Maharshi Vyas while none was ready to feed the sage. In this instance, Goddess Vishalakshi's role was similar to Annapurna Devi. Goddess Vishalakshi is frequented and worshipped by the devotees to attract her grace. The deity is worshipped by the childless couples for progeny. The festivals of Navratri, Durga Puja and Kajli Teej are celebrated with religious fervor in Vishalakshi Temple. As a tradition, incense, lamps, garland of flowers, necklaces, pearl jewelry, new clothes etc are offered to Goddess Vishalakshi after taking holy dip in the Ganga.

Vishalakshi Temple in Varanasi, built in south Indian temple architecture style, is also known as Vishalakshi Gauri Temple. Kashi Vishalakshi Temple finds mention in great detail in Devi Bhagvat Purana (देवी भागवत पुराण). Dravidian architecture style gopuram indicates about its Tamil patronage. The entrance of the temple is flanked by two stone-carved lions on either side. Just above the ‘toran’ / entrance is placed a marble relief depicting Gajalakshmi form of Goddess Lakshmi, sitting atop a lotus flower and elephants from both sides showering water over her. The inner periphery of the Vishalakshi Temple is marked and embellished with ‘shivlingam’, sculptures of Lord Ganesh & serpents (‘nag’) and statue of Adi Guru Shankaracharya in ‘padmasana mudra’ (पद्मासन मुद्रा - sitting in cross-legged posture). The sanctum sanctorum has two sculptures of the goddess; the ancient one is Adi Vishalakshi and another one was built in 1971. The new idol of the goddess, built of polished black stone, depicts right arm holding a lotus and the empty left arm pointing downward. Only the crowned head of goddess Vishalakshi is visible, the rest of her person being covered with a yellow cloth. A small room adjacent to the sanctum sanctorum houses Navagraha (नवग्रह), the planetary deities in anthropomorphic form. These graha (ग्रह) - Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Budha (Mercury), Shukra (Venus), Mangal (Mars), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (Ascending/North lunar node), and Ketu (Descending/South lunar node) – are worshipped by the visitors. A pilgrim is suggested to visit Vishalakshi Temple, a holy temple, almost adjacent to Dharma Kupa and at the beginning of the Mir Ghat on the banks of Ganga in Varanasi.

Varanasi Tour Packages

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Golden Triangle with Mathura Varanasi Haridwar Rishikesh Tour

10 Nights / 11 Days
Destination : Delhi- Jaipur-Abhaneri- Fatehpur Sikri- Agra- Varanasi-Haridwar-Rishikesh

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Incredible India with Diwali Tour

15 Nights / 16 Days
Destination : Delhi-Udaipur-Jaipur-Abhaneri-Fatehpur-Sikri-Agra-Orchha-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Mumbai-Goa

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North India Heritage Tour

9 Nights / 10 Days
Destination : Delhi – Jaipur – Abhaneri – Fatehpur Sikri- Agra- Gwalior- Orchha-Khajuraho - Varanasi

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Golden Triangle with Varanasi Tour

7 Nights / 8 Days
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