Vishalakshi Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) is the nearest airport, about 25 km away.

• By train

  Varanasi Junction (BSB) is the main railway station and is well connected to major cities.

• By road

  Varanasi is well connected by road to Prayagraj, Lucknow and other Uttar Pradesh towns.

Why devotees come here

Vishalakshi Temple stands near Mir Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Devotees visit it as one of the Shakti Pithas, where Vishalakshi Devi is worshipped. It lies a short distance from the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Vishalakshi is counted among the 51 Shakti Pithas. The site is near Mir Ghat in Varanasi. Here Shakti is honoured as Vishalakshi Devi, and Bhairava as Kaal Bhairav. Local belief ties the site to the gem from Sati's right earring, which is believed to have fallen on this spot. That is why the deity is also called Manikarni Devi, so visitors may hear either name.

The Nattukottai Nagarathars, a trading community from the Chettinad area of Tamil Nadu, built the present structure in 1893. It is in a haveli-like North Indian style with South Indian features, including a modest Dravidian-style gopura.

The temple sits 250 metres north west of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and 200 metres from the Annapurna Temple, all near Mir Ghat.

Festivals

• Third day of the waning fortnight of BhadrapadaKajali Tij

  The yearly temple festival, held in Bhadrapada, the last month of the rainy season.

• During NavratriNavratri

  Rituals and celebrations draw larger crowds.

Tips for your visit

• Early mornings and evenings are ideal for a peaceful darshan.
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple is about 250 metres away and Annapurna Temple about 200 metres.
• Navratri brings larger gatherings, so expect bigger crowds during those days.

Questions people ask