Vishalakshi Temple: A Divine Shakti Pitha in Varanasi

By Harsh Choudhary
Last Modified : June 2025

Varanasi, the city of light, is home to countless temples, each with its unique history and significance. Among these sacred sites, the Vishalakshi Temple stands out as a revered Shakti Pitha, dedicated to Goddess Parvati. The temple, also known as Vishalakshi Gauri Temple, draws devotees from all over India, especially those seeking blessings for marriage, progeny, and overall well-being. Come, let’s explore the mystique of the vishalakshi temple kashi.

Location of the Vishalakshi Temple

Finding the Temple in Varanasi

The Vishalakshi Temple is situated near Mir Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Its coordinates are 25°18′32″N 83°0′39″E. It’s conveniently located approximately 250 metres (0.16 mi) northwest of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and 200 metres (0.12 mi) from the Annapurna Temple, making it easily accessible to pilgrims visiting these other important shrines.

Accessibility and Nearby Landmarks

To reach the temple, one can take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or local bus from Varanasi Junction (BSB), which is about 3 km away. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Babatpur Airport) is located 25 km away, and taxis are readily available for transport to the temple. The temple’s proximity to the Ganges River and other major ghats makes it a central point in the sacred geography of Varanasi.

Religious Significance of the Kasi Vishalakshi Temple

Vishalakshi: The Wide-Eyed Goddess

The name *Vishalakshi* (*Viśālākshī*, Sanskrit: विशालाक्षी, “she who has large eyes”) is an epithet of the goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The Shiva Purana describes Parvati as Vishalakshi when Shiva first sees her. Annapurna, the goddess of food and another form of Parvati, is also given this epithet, highlighting her role as the “wide-eyed” provider. The temple in Varanasi is dedicated to this form of Parvati, where she is considered the patron goddess of the city. The Skanda Purana narrates how Vishalakshi appeared as a housewife to feed the sage Vyasa, who had cursed Varanasi for its lack of hospitality.

Vishalakshi and the Sacred Geography of Varanasi

In the sacred geography of Varanasi, six points symbolize Shastanga (six-fold) yoga. These are the Vishwanath Temple (dedicated to Shiva), the Vishalakshi Temple, the Ganges, the Kala Bhairava temple (dedicated to Varanasi’s guardian deity), the Dhundiraj Temple (dedicated to Ganesha), and the Dandapani temple (dedicated to an aspect of Shiva). Visiting these sites is considered a powerful spiritual practice, and the kasi vishalakshi temple is a vital part of this sacred circuit. The significance of the vishalakshi temple varanasi as a focal point for spiritual energy cannot be overstated.

History of the Vishalakshi Temple

The Legend of Sati and the Shakti Pitha

The history of the Vishalakshi Temple is deeply intertwined with the legend of Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, and her marriage to Lord Shiva. Daksha organized a great yajna (sacrificial ritual) but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Unable to bear the insult, Sati self-immolated in the sacrificial fire. Shiva, grief-stricken and enraged, wandered the universe with Sati’s corpse. To end Shiva’s suffering, the god Vishnu dismembered Sati’s body into 51 parts, each of which became a Shakti Pitha, a sacred site dedicated to the Goddess. It is believed that Sati’s eye or earring fell at Varanasi, establishing Vishalakshi as a Shakti Pitha.

Early Mentions and Tamil Connections

Varanasi appears in most standard lists of Shakti Pithas. The Rudrayamala lists Varanasi as the fifth of 10 principal Shakti Pithas. The Kularnava Tantra mentions Varanasi as the sixth of 18 Pithas. The Ashadashapitha lists Vishalakshi of Varanasi as the fifth Pitha. In the Kubjika Tantra, Varanasi is third in 42 names. In the Jnanarnava, one list with 8 names does not mention Varanasi, but another list names Varanasi in the second spot. Vishalakshi of Varanasi is mentioned as first of 108 Shakti Pithas in the list in the Devi Bhagavata Purana.

The temple has strong ties to the Tamil community. Vishalakshi, the “wide-eyed” goddess, is often associated with Kamakshi, the “love-eyed” goddess of Kanchipuram, and Minakshi, the “fish-eyed” goddess of Madurai, due to their similar names. These three goddesses are highly revered by Tamil people. The current structure of the temple was built in 1893 by Nattukottai Nagarathar, a mercantile community from Tamil Nadu. In 1971, Tamil patrons installed the new idol.

Later Developments

Sri Adi Shankaracharya visited this temple in the eight century and installed Sri Yantra. The temple was built in South Indian style 1893 and maintained by Nattukottai Nagarathar, a mercantile community from Tamilnadu. Composition of Rudrayamala was before 1052 CE. Lakshmidhara includes Vishalakshi in his list in the 12th-century. Mention in Bengali work Chandimangal in the 16th century.

Worship and Festivals at the Vishalakshi Temple Kashi

Daily Rituals and Practices

Devotees often bathe in the holy Ganges nearby before offering worship at the temple. The puja (worship), offerings, recitation of hymns to the goddess, and charity at the temple are considered highly fruitful due to the power of the presiding goddess. The goddess is especially worshipped by unmarried girls for a groom, childless couples for progeny, and unfortunate women for the turn of their fortune. The deity is worshipped for the welfare of brothers by women.

Two goddess images are housed side by side in the _garbhagirha_ (sanctum): a smaller black stone image called Adi Vishalakshi on the left back side and another taller black stone image installed at a later date. Devotees often visit the Vishwanath and Annapurna shrines along with this temple.

Navaratri Celebrations

Two of the most important festivals in the temple, as well as all other goddess temples in Varanasi, are the two _Navaratri_ s (“nine nights”). The Ashwin Navatri or simply called Navaratri, culminating in Vijayadashami, falls in the waxing fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (October) and celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga on the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. The other Navaratri is in the waxing fortnight of Chaitra (March). On each of nine days, one of Varanasi’s goddess temples – corresponding to one of the Navadurga (nine Durgas) or nine Gauris (Parvatis) – is recommended to be visited. The nine-temple circuit is described in various _Kashi mahatmyas_ (texts narrating the greatness of the holy city of Varanasi/Kashi). Devotees flock to the temple in the evening of the fifth day of Navatri.

Kajali Tij: A Festival for Brothers

The yearly temple festival of Vishalakshi Temple is celebrated on Kajali Tij (Black Third), the third lunar day (tij) of the waning fortnight in Bhadrapada, the last month of the Indian rainy season. Women sing “amorous” rainy season songs called _kajali_ (black) around this time. This holy day is observed especially for the welfare of brothers by women. During this festival, women will sing kajali around this time.

Visiting the Vishalakshi Temple in Varanasi

Temple Timing

The Vishalakshi Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 9:45 PM daily. It is advisable to visit during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.

Nearby Attractions

The vishalakshi temple varanasi is close to several important religious sites, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Annapurna Temple. Pilgrims visiting Vishalakshi Temple often include these temples in their itinerary. Additionally, the ghats along the Ganges River, such as Mir Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat, are nearby and offer a glimpse into the spiritual heart of Varanasi. These attractions enhance the overall experience of visiting the Vishalakshi Temple and provide a deeper understanding of the city’s rich cultural and religious heritage. For those interested in further exploring the spiritual landscape of Varanasi, visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Annapurna Devi Mandir is highly recommended.

Traveler Reviews

With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 bubbles based on 59 reviews, the vishalakshi temple is highly regarded by travelers on TripAdvisor. Reviews often praise the temple’s divine and serene atmosphere, the blissful experience of seeing the deity, and the temple’s importance as a Shakti Pitha. Visitors recommend allocating less than 1 hour for the visit and suggest combining it with visits to nearby attractions.

Vishalakshi Temple: A Beacon of Faith

The Vishalakshi Temple in Varanasi is more than just a religious site; it is a living testament to the enduring power of faith and devotion. As one of the 52 Shakti Pithas, the temple holds a special place in the hearts of devotees who believe in the divine feminine energy. Whether you are a devout Hindu, a spiritual seeker, or simply a traveler curious about Indian culture, a visit to the Vishalakshi Temple is sure to be a transformative experience. Remember to plan your visit around the temple timings and consider exploring the other nearby attractions to fully immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance of Varanasi.

Significance of Vishalakshi Temple, Varanasi

Varanasi represents Shastanga yoga and houses six temple locations: the River Ganga, the Vishwanath Temple, the Vishalakshi Temple, the Kala Bhairava Temple, the Dhudiraj Temple (Lord Ganesha), and the Dandapani Temple (Lord Shiva). The Vishalakshi Temple is a focal point for spiritual energy.

How to Reach Vishalakshi Temple?

Reaching the Vishalakshi Temple is quite straightforward, whether you are arriving by air, train, or road.

By Air

The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Babatpur Airport) is approximately 25 km away from the temple. Upon arrival, you can easily hire a taxi or use local transport options to reach the temple.

By Train

Varanasi Junction (BSB) is about 3 km from the temple. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or take a local bus to reach the temple.

By Road

Varanasi boasts a well-developed road network. You can use taxis, auto-rickshaws, or local buses to reach the Vishalakshi Temple.

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