17. Vishalakshi Devi

Vishalakshi is the second consort of Lord Shiva in this holy city of Kashi. This temple is one of 52 Shakti peethams and is part of the famous triad of temples: Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kashi Visalakshi. This small temple is located in one of the narrow streets around the Kashi Vishwanath temple, mainly the South Indians visit this temple.

Although the temple is quite small, the idol of the goddess is very beautiful. Behind the main stone idol of the goddess is another idol (some say it is a silver mold, others say it is an idol), considered the idol prayed in ancient times. One of our guides told us that it was the swayambhu idol of the goddess, while another refuted this claim. Either way, it’s definitely worth checking out, so be sure to look behind the idol when you visit the temple. Kajali Tij, Durga Puja and Navaratri are the Major festivals celebrated in Kashi Vishalakshi Devi Temple.

Adi Shankaracharya, when he visited the temple, 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 there, and it is to this Yantram that puja is done. Kumkumarchana to this Sri Yantram is considered very special, and can be performed by asking the pujari there.