- Special Features
Foundation YearNagarathar - 1893ADSthala TreeTheerthamRathamArchitectureMandirTamil ArchitectureOther SpecialityBody Part: Noses, | Maha Shakthipeeth |
- Sthala Puran
The Vishalakshi Temple or Vishalakshi Gauri Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Vishalakshi (an Avatar of Goddess Parvati / Gauri) at Mir Ghat on the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi.
It is generally regarded as a Shakti Pitha, the most sacred temples dedicated to the Hindu Divine Mother.
The temple is situated by the famous cremation grounds of Manikarnika.
The daughter of Prajapati Daksha, Sati was married to Lord Shiva against his wishes. Daksha organized a great yajna, but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the yajna-site, where Daksha ignored Sati and vilified Shiva.
Unable to withstand this insult, Sati jumped into the sacrificial fire and committed suicide. Sati died, but her corpse did not burn. Shiva (as Virabhadra) slew Daksha for being responsible for Sati's death but later forgave him, resurrecting him.
The wild, grief-stricken Shiva wandered the universe with Sati's corpse. Finally, Vishnu dismembered the body of Sati into 51 parts, each of which became a Shakti Pitha, temple to a form of the Goddess. Shiva is also worshipped at each Shakti Pitha in the form of Bhairava, the male counterpart or guardian of the presiding goddess of the Pitha.
Sati's eyes are believed to have fallen at Varanasi, establishing Vishalakshi as a Shakti Pitha.
The Garbhagriha has two idols of Goddess Vishalakshi- a smaller black stone idol called Adi Vishalakshi, which is believed to be the original idol on left back side and another black stone image, adorned with flowers and jewels, installed at a later date.
- Architecture
The narrow lanes near Mir Ghat in the holy city of Varanasi lead to the Vishalakshi temple built in South Indian architectural style.
The Gopuram at the entrance has elaborate carvings. The temple has an array of Shiva lingams around it.
The four pillars in front of the main shrine are adorned with colorful sculptures.
- Alankar of Deity
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and PrayersOfferings to Deity
Devotees often bathe in the holy Ganges nearby before offering worship at the temple. The puja (worship), offerings, recitation of hymns to the goddess and charity at the temple is considered highly fruitful because of the power of the presiding goddess. The goddess is especially worshipped by unmarried girls for a groom, childless couples for progeny and unfortunate women for the turn of their fortune. Two goddess images are housed side-by-side in the garbhagirha (sanctum): a smaller black stone image called Adi Vishalakshi on left back side and another taller black stone image installed at a later date. Devotees often visit the Vishwanath and Annapurna shrines with this temple.
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