Durga Kund Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi is the nearest airport.

• By train

  Varanasi Junction (BSB) is the nearest railway station.

• By road

  The temple is on Sankat Mochan road, 1.3 km north of Banaras Hindu University.

Why devotees come here

Durga Kund Temple stands on Sankat Mochan road in Varanasi, beside Durga Kund and 1.3 km north of Banaras Hindu University. It is dedicated to Devi Durga and is one of the most famous temples in the city. The tall shrine is painted red.

Devi Durga is worshipped here, and idols of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kali stand within the temple premises. Devotees believe the central icon was not made by a man but appeared on its own. A legend says Durga came on a lion to fight for Kashi Naresh and Sudarshan, after Sudarshan prayed to her.

Rani Bhabani of Natore, a Bengali Rani, had the temple built in the 18th century. The exact date of construction is not known. It follows the North Indian Nagara style. The walls are painted red with ochre to match the colour of the central icon. Inside, many carved and engraved stones can be seen. The tall shikhara, or tower, has five segments for the panchmahabhutas, the five elements that give birth to life and the universe, and rests on carved columns.

Festivals

• During NavratriNavratri

  Shri Durga Puja festivities are held during the Navratri festival.

• On Nag PanchamiNag Panchami

  A recreation of Vishnu reclining on the serpent is shown at the Kund.

Tips for your visit

• Expect numerous monkeys in the temple vicinity.
• Durga Ghat is close to the temple, and it has a small temple to Kharva Narsimha.
• Durga Ghat was built in 1772 by Narayana Diksith.
• The temple is closed from 12 noon to 4 PM on the government timings.

Questions people ask