Ashtbhuja Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Babatpur, Varanasi, about 75 km away.

• By train

  Vindhyachal station (BDL) is the nearest, about four km away. Mirzapur station (MZP) is about eleven km away and gives more train options.

• By road

  The temple is about 65 km from Varanasi by road, around two hours of driving. A well-paved road runs up the hilltop to the temple gate.

Why devotees come here

Ashtbhuja Temple stands on a hilltop at Vindhyachal in Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh. Its deity, Bhagwati Ashtabhuja, is a direct incarnation of Mahasaraswati, and her abode is on the highest peak of the Vindhya mountains.

Devotees worship the Mother here as Bhagwati Ashtabhuja, a direct incarnation of Mahasaraswati. Her abode is on the highest peak of the Vindhya mountains. Devotees who prefer to walk can take the stairway route up. The temple stands on a hilltop at Vindhyachal in Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh.

A legend tells how she came to this peak. According to the legend, Kansa tried to kill Devaki's eighth child. The girl slipped out of his grip. She vanished into the sky, and then appeared on this mountain peak in the form of Ashtabhuja Devi.

The temple is the third and final major stop of the Trikon Parikrama, after Vindhyavasini and Kali Khoh. Kali Khoh is only about 1 to 2 km away, and devotees usually cover it during the Trikon Yatra. The Paatal Puri cave and Sita Kund located here hold great religious significance.

Tips for your visit

• Devotees who prefer to walk can take the stairway route up the hill, while the well-paved road suits vehicles.
• Private vehicles, auto-rickshaws and taxis reach the temple gate directly.
• Local public transport runs from Mirzapur and Vindhyachal.

Questions people ask