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| Gajalakshmi idol above entrance |
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| Lion statues on sides |
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| Main idols in the sanctum |
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| Nine planetary idols |
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| Row of Shiva Lingams |
Vishalakshi temple is just 250 meters kms from Kashi Vishwanath temple. This temple was built in South Indian style 1893 and maintained by Nattukottai Nagarathar, a mercantile community from Tamilnadu. Mother Sati’s earrings fell on this holy spot and is regarded as the one of the 52 Shaktipeethams. In the sanctum one can see two idols side by side. The smaller idol is called Adi Visalakshi and is believed to be Swayam Bhu or self-manifested. The other taller stone idol was installed at a later time.
Vishalakshi
and Annapurna are regarded as the patron goddesses of this holy city. Visalakshi
means “wide-eyed goddess”. Like Annapurna, Vishalakshi gave food to sage Vyasa
and his disciples when they starved for three days. At one time both Vishalakshi
and Annapurna are identified as one goddess. But in later times they are considered
as two distinct forms of Mother Parvati. She along with Kamakshi of Kanchipuram
and Minakshi (fish-eyed Goddess) of Madurai are considered as the most
important forms of Goddess by Tamil devotees.
Unmarried girls worship Vishalakshi for getting a suitable bridegroom and by married ladies for getting progeny. Sri Adi Sankaracharya visited this temple in the eight century and installed Sri Yantra. This temple was built in South Indian style and the architecture is decorative with intricate carvings. The opening hours of the temple are from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m and from 5.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. During festive days like Navaratri in October and In Chaitra Navaratri (March) special poojas are conducted in this temple. On the third lunar day of Bhadrapada Kalai Tij, a special ceremony is performed.
In the inner
shrine the stone idol of Vishalakshi seen. In her upper hands she holds a lotus
and a sacred vessel in her lower left hand. She blesses devotees with her lower
right hand with Varada Mudra. In 1971 the Tamil patrons installed this new idol
beside the smaller old idol.
On the top
of the entrance a lovely marble relief of Gaja Lakshmi is seen. Inside the
temple there is a verandah with four painted concrete pillars decorated with
floral designs and guardian deities. On the ceiling twelve images of zodiac
symbols painted. Above the main shrine, a relief painting of Shiva and
Meenakshi wedding scene is seen.
Around the temple, the floor is covered with white and marble tiles in a chess board like pattern for the devotees to circumambulate. Around the inner periphery of the temple, a row of Shiva Lingas is seen, some with Nandi idols and serpent stones and a beautiful Ganesha idol. Behind the inner sanctum, a marble shrine of Adi Sankaracharya is seen. On the right side of the temple outside, in the two gated areas, one can see the sculpture of a horse and an image of Vishalakshi. These idols are brought out during special festive seasons. Within this room one can see a small shrine housing a large Shiva Lingam. Within this room there is an altar on which idols of nine planetary gods are seen.
One has to pass through gate No.2 to reach this Mandir. one has to move through narrow winding lanes, and so it would be better if sign boards and directions are set up on the way for the convenience of devotees. The nearby temples are: Kashi Vishwanath mandir, Annapurna Mandir, Kalabhairava Mandir, Nepali temple and Sankat Mochan mandir. Devotees who visit Varanasi should visit Ganga River, Sri Vishwanath mandir, Kashi Annapurna temple, Vishalakshi temple, Kalabhairava mandir, Dandapani temple and Dunti Vinayaka also. Their temple tour is incomplete without visiting these holy shrines.
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5th May 2025 Somaseshu Gutala
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