Vishalakshi Temple
Vashalakshi is one of the 9 Devis of Kasi (Varanasi/Benaras) mentioned in the Skanda Purana.
About the temple.
The Vishalakshi Temple or Vishalakshi Gauri Temple is dedicated to the goddess VishalakshiMaa, meaning wide eyed Devi.It is located at Mir Ghat on the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. This temple is among the 52 Shakti peethams, and is part of the famous triad of temples – Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kashi Visalakshi. it is among the popular temples in Banaras and also one of the must visit places in Varanasi.
Legend
According to mythology, the karnakundala(earring) of the goddess Sati fell on this holy spot of Varanasi. Another version says that this is a Shakti Peetha only because one of the three eyes of Goddess Sati (Akshi) fell here. As the divine eye can perceive the entire universe, Mother here is called Vishalakshi, the vast-eyed.
The Temple
The Vishalakshi Temple has an intricate gopuram above the main entrance. The inner boundary of the temple is largely a concrete wall that has a protruding shelf like area displaying acollection of Shiva lingams, nagas (divine serpents), and a striking Ganesh sculpture. Behind the main monument and opposite the door is a marble statue of Adi Shankaracharya, seated cross-legged.
When Adi Shankaracharya visited the temple, he performed prayers to replenish the powers of the temple, which had borne the brunt of several invasions. He also installed a Sri Yantram and it is to this Yantram that puja is done. Kumkumarchana to this Sri Yantram is considered very auspicious and can be performed by asking the pujari there.
On the right side of the temple is an adjacent room with two gated areas which respectively house a sculpted horse and an alternative image of the goddess Vishalakshi. These are occasionally brought out during special festival processions when Ma Vishalakshi, seated upon the horse, is wheeled about for a small procession. Within this room is a smaller shrine dedicated to Shiva and housing a large lingam(the sacred phallus).
This room has an altar upon which rests nine statues depicting the planetary deities from Vedic Astrology in anthropomorphic form: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (Ascending/North lunar node) and Ketu (Descending/South lunar node). These representations are worshippedwith flower and leaf offerings and with bright vermilion powder.
The temple is the verandah directly in front of the main shrine is the most adorned area inside the temple. It has four concrete pillars with floral designs, yantras, and protective figures. The ceiling is designed to produce a canopy-like effect and is painted with a framework of 12 squares each containing a different image from a zodiacal house. Above the main shrine is the depiction of Shiva and Meenakshi’s wedding. Meenakshi (the “Fish Eyed”) herself is a popular South Indian goddess and is here associated with Vishalakshi along with Kamakshi (the “Desire Eyed”), to form a triad of goddesses.
The garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) contains anopulent marble shrine which itself contains an even smaller shrine housing the image. The original murtiand its accompanying shrine were placed in the larger shrine and temple as the current structure was erected around it.
The goddess Vishalakshi is epitomised by amurti carved from a solid piece of polished black stone. Her upraised right arm holds a lotus, while the palm of her left, downturned hand is empty and faces away. However, this stone sculpture is not the original depiction of Vishalakshi. It was, in fact, carved from stone in 1971 when the temple was renovated with Tamil patronage.
Temple Timings
- 30 AM to 11 AM
- 5 PM to 10 PM
Festivals
Vishalakshi Temple is known for the festival of KajaliTij, held on the third day during waning fortnight in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August). Devotees believe that offering puja, Jal, chanting songs to the goddess is highly profitable as Goddess provide success and wealth.
Other places to visit:
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga temple
Holy Bath in Ganges
Batuk Bhairav Mandir
Evening Aarti Ceremony
Dasaswamedh Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat
Boat Ride in Ganges River
Sarnath Buddhist center
Ramnagar Fort
Visit Jantar Mantar
How to reach
By Air
Babatpur Airport, also known as Varanasi Airport or Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (IATA – VNS, ICAO – VIBN), is the nearest airport situated just 18 km north-west of Varanasi city.
Varanasi lies on the daily air tourist shuttle route linking other major tourist places in India such as Khajuraho, Agra and Delhi.
By Rail
The city is linked by trains with all metros and major cities across the country – New Delhi (760 Kms.), Bombay (1509 Kms.), Calcutta (735 Kms.), Madras (1970 Kms.), Lucknow (286 Kms).
There are three railway station – Kashi, City and Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment), which is the main station and has computerised booking.
By Road
Varanasi is connected to Calcutta (677 Kms.), Delhi (765 Kms.), Madras (1901 Kms.), Bangalore (1763 Kms.) and to the rest of the country by good motorable, all-weather roads.
Accommodation
Being an important tourist destination for both pilgrims as well as other tourists, Varanasi offers numerous economic hotels as well as luxury hotels and guest houses.
Hotel such as Taj Ganges, Hotel Surabhi International, Hotel Varanasi Ashok, Hotel De Paris, and Hotel M M Continental are all situated within a short distance from the main Temples.
Nearby places to visit
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga:
Legend has it that one fine day; Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had a scrimmage concerning the supremacy of their creative powers. In order to evaluate their powers, Lord Shiva pierced the three worlds with striking force in the form of an endless support of light, the jyotirlinga. This battle concluded in the defeat of Vishnu as Brahma had artfully lied that he had theintuition that Vishnu had lost. Upon learning this, Shiva appeared as a second pillar of light, cursing Brahma that he would not enjoy the prestige of being worshipped during celebrations while Vishnu would be worshipped till the end of time.
Overlooking the Western bank of River Ganges, Kashi Viswanath Temple is one of the most prominent of the twelve Jyotirlingas of the country. The others, include Somnath (Gujarat), Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleswar (Madhya Pradesh), Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Bhimashankar (Maharashtra), Triambakeshwar (Maharashtra), Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, Deogarh (Jharkhand), Nageswar (Gujarat), Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu) and Grishneshwar (Maharashtra).
Annapoorna Temple:
Constructed near Watrap, on the way to Saduragiri, this temple is in the shape of eight-sided pyramid.
The beautiful golden image of Annapoorneswari in the temple, which is hundred yards away from the Visweswara Temple is thrown open for darshan to the devotees during Deepavali festival on Dhanathriodasi Day when Pooja is performed for the golden idol and throughout next day on Chotti Deepavali Day it is kept open for public darshan.
Annapurna sits in the middle with her trademark bowl and ladle. On her left is Lakshmi and on her right is Bhudevi (the goddess of the earth). All these idols are made of pure Gold. In front of them stands Shiva, made of silver, asking for alms.
Kaalbhairav Temple Kashi:
In Kashi Vishwanath legend, when Lord Shiva gets angry on Lord Brahma, he creates a dangerous form called Kaalbhairava. Bhairava beheaded one of Brahma’s five heads and since then Brahma has only four heads. When depicted as Kaalbhairava, Bhairava is shown carrying the decapitated head of Brahma. Cutting off Brahma’s fifth head made him guilty of killing, and as a result, he was forced to carry around the head for years and roam as Bhikshatana, a mendicant, until he had been absolved of the sin.His head was released when he reached the city of Kashi. From there on he lived in the city of Kashi and started guarding it. He is therefore called The Kotwal of Kashi as no one can enter Kashi without his permission.
