Navratri Special: The Sacred Shakti Peeth of Kashi, Where Goddess Satis Karnphool Fell

Varanasi, March 17: The festival dedicated to the worship of Adi Shakti, Chaitra Navratri, begins on March 19. Across the country and the world, there are many divine abodes of the Goddess, where she resides in various forms. One such sacred site is Kashi, the city of Lord Shiva, which is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. According to ancient beliefs, the ear ornament of Goddess Sati fell in Kashi.

Wherever parts of Goddess Sati’s body fell, Shakti Peeths were established. In Kashi, the ear ornament, known as Karnkundal, fell, making this holy place known as Maa Vishalakshi Dham. The significance of visiting and worshipping the Goddess here is especially heightened during Navratri and other auspicious days.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, the Vishalakshi Devi Temple is a prominent Shakti Peeth in Varanasi. This temple is a unique center for the joint worship of Shiva and Shakti. For centuries, it has remained an important center of faith. During the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri, devotees flock to seek the blessings of Maa Vishalakshi. People travel from far and wide to receive her blessings. Worship of the Goddess takes place during Chaitra Navratri, Vasantik Navratri, and Gupt Navratri.

The Vishalakshi Shakti Peeth is located at Mirghat on Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi. This sacred site is not far from Manikarnika Ghat. The temple is also known as Maa Vishalakshi Gauri Temple. The Vishalakshi Temple holds special significance for devotees. Notably, it is close to both the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Annapurna Temple.

This temple is built in the South Indian style. Historians suggest that it was reconstructed by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. Adi Shankaracharya established the Shree Yantra here in the 8th century. In 1908, South Indian devotees renovated the temple.

According to mythological tales, after witnessing the humiliation of Lord Shiva at King Daksha’s Yagna, Goddess Sati self-immolated. Enraged, Lord Shiva carried Sati’s body across the universe. The gods prayed to Lord Vishnu, who used his Sudarshan Chakra to divide Sati’s body into 51 parts. Wherever these parts fell, Shakti Peeths were established. In Varanasi, the Karnphool fell, making this place renowned as the Vishalakshi Shakti Peeth. Near this Shakti Peeth, Kal Bhairav also resides.

The Vishalakshi Temple houses two idols of the Goddess: one is movable (Chal) and the other is immovable (Achal). Both receive equal worship and offerings. The idol of Maa Vishalakshi, with its enchanting dark complexion, is particularly captivating. The movable idol is specially worshipped during Navratri, when it is paraded on a horse on Vijaya Dashami. The immovable idol is worshipped twice a year: first on the third day of the Krishna Paksha in Bhadon month (Kajri Teej) as the Goddess’s birthday, and the second time on the day after Diwali as Annakoot. The temple also follows South Indian worship traditions, attracting a large number of devotees from South India.

The temple is located approximately 3 to 5 kilometers from the Cantt Railway Station. Public transport or cabs can be booked from Godaulia or Dashashwamedh to reach the temple. Additionally, it is about 27 kilometers from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Babatpur Airport).