Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple, Varanasi - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple

At a distance of 5 Km from Varanasi Junction, Sri Kashi Vishalakshi Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Mir Ghat on the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Vishalakshi Devi, the divine form of Goddess Sati. This temple is one among the 51 Shakti Peethas, and is part of the famous triad of temples- Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kashi Vishalakshi. Situated near Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, it is among the popular temples in Uttar Pradesh, and also one of the must visit places as part of the Varanasi family packages.

History & Mythology of Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple

The Sri Kashi Vishalakshi Devi Temple was established and is preserved by the Nattukottai Nagarathar, a trading community originating from Tamil Nadu. The temple's narrative is closely linked to the tale of Sati, the daughter of Daksha Prajapati, who faced humiliation during a yajna and ultimately chose to self-immolate. Her husband, Shiva, roamed the cosmos with her body, while Vishnu dismembered her remains, distributing the fragments across the earth, which later became known as the Shakti Peethas. The Kashi Visalakshi Temple stands as a prominent Shakti Peetha, one of the 51 sacred locations dedicated to the Goddess Sati, where either her earring or her eyes are believed to have fallen. As the divine eye is capable of perceiving the entirety of the universe, the Mother is referred to as Vishalakshi, meaning the one with vast eyes.

Architecture of Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple

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 sanctum sanctorum has two idols of Goddess Vishalakshi- a smaller black stone idol called Adi Vishalakshi, which is believed to be the original idol, and another black stone image, adorned with flowers and jewels, installed at a later date. 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.

Festivals of Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple

The Vishalakshi Temple located in Kashi is the site of numerous festivals, with Navaratri standing out as a major celebration. There are two Navaratris observed, one in Chaitra (March) and the other in Ashwin (October). Additionally, other notable festivals are Kajali Tij (August), Sharad Purnima, and Vishalakshi Mahotsav, which is a unique festival honoring the goddess Vishalakshi.

Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple Dress Code & Other Restrictions

Visitors to the Sri Kashi Vishalakshi Devi Temple are expected to adhere to a conservative dress code, ensuring that their legs and shoulders are adequately covered. Men may opt for dhotis or long trousers paired with shirts, while women are encouraged to wear Sarees, Salwar Kameez, or other traditional attire that adequately covers their shoulders and legs. Western attire such as shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops should be avoided.

The Sri Kashi Vishalakshi Temple is open to people of all religions, making it a welcoming site for tourists of various backgrounds to explore Hindu culture and spirituality.

Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple Timings

Monday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 6 PM & 7 PM - 10 PM
Tuesday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 6 PM & 7 PM - 10 PM
Wednesday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 6 PM & 7 PM - 10 PM
Thursday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 6 PM & 7 PM - 10 PM
Friday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 6 PM & 7 PM - 10 PM
Saturday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 6 PM & 7 PM - 10 PM
Sunday: 4 AM - 11 AM, 12 PM - 6 PM & 7 PM - 10 PM

Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple Entry Fee

Entry is Free

Best Time to Visit Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple

The optimal period to explore the Sri Kashi Vishalakshi Temple is from October to March, with peak visitor numbers generally seen between November and February. This season provides cool and agreeable temperatures, enhancing the overall experience, as the summer months can become excessively warm and the monsoon season may introduce considerable rainfall, potentially hindering outdoor activities and temple visits. Besides, participating in major Hindu festivals like Navratri, and Vishalakshi Mahotsav can be particularly rewarding, as the temple is exquisitely decorated and hosts special poojas and events.

How to Reach Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Babatpur is the nearest airport which is about 23 Km from Varanasi Junction. Also known as Varanasi Airport, it is well connected with flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Gaya. Varanasi Junction railway station is well connected by trains with Chhapra, Kanpur, Amritsar, Muzzafarpur, Jammu, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Indore, Tatanagar, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Patna, Kochi, Jaisalmer, Mumbai, Bangalore, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pune and Chennai. Varanasi is well connected with buses from Agra, Delhi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Lucknow. One can reach Sri Kasi Vishalakshi Devi Temple by hiring a cab, or an auto-rickshaw from all parts of the city of Varanasi.