Shri Vishalakshi Mata Shaktipeeth Temple, Kashi

SRI VISHALAKSHI TEMPLE

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Goddess

Goddess Vishalakshi is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. Here deity 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.

Interesting Facts

Sati devi's Wrist had fallen here and the temple is also one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - April to June (39°C during day and 28°C during night)Average - May (36°C during the day and 26°C during night)Lowest - December to February (20°C during day and 15°C during night)Monsoon season - June to October

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Varanasi Bus Stand	4.5 KM	18001802877
Varanasi Railway Station	4.5 KM	139
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport	25 KM	0542-2623060

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Varanasi Railway Station	4.5 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport	25 KM	0542-2623060

Architecture

Sri Vishalakshi Temple is built in South Indian architectural style. 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 a collection 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. The temple has a 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.

Sri Vishalakshi Temple is built in South Indian architectural style. The Gopuram at the entrance has elaborate carvings and the temple has an array of Shivlingams. The four pillars in front of the main shrine are adorned with colorful sculptures. The Garbhagriha has two idols of Goddess Vishalakshi- a smaller black stone idol called Adi Vishalakshi, which is believed to be the original idol on left back side and another black stone image, adorned with flowers and jewels, installed at a later date.

Religious Significance

Sati was the daughter of the Prajapati Daksha and She got married to the Lord Shiva against Her father wishes. Once, Prajapati Daksha had organized a great yagya but he did not call his daughter and his son in law. Sati was very sorrow from Her father’s such behavior. She reached there but got insulted from Her father as he ignored the Sati. She could not bear insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and She had jumped into the fire of yagya and committed suicide. She died but Her dead body did not burn. Lord Shiva became angry and had taken His Virabhadra Rupa. He cut the head of Daksha but finally He forgave him by reviving his life again. The heartbroken Lord Shiva had wandered in the universe by taking the Sati’s corpse. Finally, Lord Vishnu dissected the corpse of the Sati into 52 pieces by his Chakra. Each of the body became Shakti Pitha. At the place where body piece had fallen on the earth had changed into the temple. Lord Shiva had created 52 Bhairava for each Shakti Pitha as a guardian to secure the Shakti Pitha. It is considered that Her eyes or earrings had fallen in the Varanasi that’s why the temple in Varanasi called as the Vishalakshi Temple.

History

Adi Shankaracharya performed prayers to renew the powers of the temple and the goddess which had borne the brunt of several invasions. He also installed a Sri Yantram here. The aristocratic chettiar community from Tamil Nadu also helped renovate the temple in 1971.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	04:30 AM - 11:00 AM	12:00 PM - 07:00 PM	08:30 PM - 09:00 AM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757