Vishalakshi Shakthi Peeth is one of the legendary 51 Shakti peethas from India. It is located at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The significance of the Vishalakshi Temple:
According to the Hindu mythology, Daksha yagna and Sati self-immolation, it is the holy place where maa “Earring or Manikarnika” fell down. Local people call the deity with the name Manikarni/ Vishalakshi Gauri – “She who has large eyes” and her concert, Bhairava form of Lord Shiva is worshiped with the name Kalbhairav.
Local people believe that devotees who visit this temple by having holy bath in river Ganga (Manikarnika ghat) will have success and wealth, unmarried women to get best soul mate and childless mothers to get a child. There is a belief that all gods will have a holy bath during 12 P.M. in this Manikarnika Ghat.
During the festival of Kajali Tij which comes on the third day in the month of Bhadrapada (August), the temple is flooded with devotees to perform rituals.
This temple is mentioned as a fifth important Shakti Peethas in Tantric book Rudrayamala, Kularnava Tantra as sixth one and Kubjika Tantra as the third. This temple is also mentioned in Devi Bhagavata Purana, Chandimangal and Lakshimidhara.
In Gharbhalaya Goddess is seen in two forms one is swayambhu and other is archamurthy – Once you enter into the temple we worship archamurthy and then swayambhu form of Goddess. Kumkum Pooja offered on every Friday and pournami to Sri Chakra (installed by Adi Shankaracharya) is one of the important rituals. Devotees who visit Kanchi Kamakshi and Madhura Minakshi will visit Kasi Vishalakshi and complete their travel.
Legend of Vishalakshi Shakthi Peeth:
As per Skanda Purana, Saga Vyas and his disciples didn’t receive any kind of biksha for seven continuous days. Because of this act, Sage Vyas got anger over the land Kasi cursed. Maa Visalakshi transformed into a Brahmin lady and sent an invitation to Sage Vyas and his disciples to offer food. Although mother wanted to fulfill her son’s hunger Lord Shiva didn’t like the act of Sage Vyas and ordered Sage to vanish from the land Kasi. Upon knowing his wrong act Sage urged Lord Shiv to forgive. Then Lord said you will be allowed again in a later time.
There is a saying that during nights Lord Shiva come to this temple and take rest with the goddess. Lord consumes food of Goddess and made her as primary Goddess. Many of us think Goddess Annapurna and Visalakshi are the same but they are of different forms.
How to reach Vishalakshi Temple:
Road: It is well connected with all the cities and you find 24-hour service of private taxi services.
Rail: Varanasi railway station is a major junction point from all cities.
Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport which is 22 km. from Varanasi. You have a direct flight from New Delhi.
