Vishalakshi Kashi
विशालाक्षी — मणिकर्णिका, काशी (वाराणसी)
One of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas — the Mother of Kashi, Vishalakshi (“the wide-eyed one”), enshrined near Manikarnika Ghat in the eternal city of Shiva.
Vishalakshi of Kashi विशालाक्षी
In Kashi — the city Shiva never forsakes — the Mother abides as Vishalakshi, the wide-eyed Goddess, near the sacred Manikarnika Ghat. Traditions link the Peeth with the falling of the Devi's earring (manikarnika) here; her temple is a beloved seat among the eighteen Maha Peethas.
The wide-eyed Mother
“Vishalakshi” means she of large, all-seeing eyes — the compassionate gaze of the Mother that beholds every soul who comes to Kashi to be freed.
Guarded by Kaal Bhairav
Every Peeth has its Bhairava; in Kashi it is the mighty Kaal Bhairav, the Kotwal (guardian) of the city, without whose leave none may truly dwell there.
The earring that fell at Manikarnika कथा
As Shiva wandered bearing Sati and Vishnu's chakra divided her form, tradition holds that her ear-ornament (manikarnika / kundal) fell at this very ghat of Kashi — giving Manikarnika its name — and the Mother took her seat here as Vishalakshi.
So in the city of liberation, the Goddess of the wide, merciful eyes watches over the ghats where souls come to shed the body and be freed.
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
namas-tasyai namas-tasyai namas-tasyai namo namaḥ ॥
Seva at the sanctum पूजा
Vishalakshi's temple lies in the lanes near Manikarnika/Meer Ghat; darshan is taken through the day, and is especially thronged on Kajali Tritiya. Confirm timings locally.
| Seva / Aarti | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti | Early morning |
| Nitya puja & darshan | Morning to afternoon |
| Sandhya Aarti | Evening |
| Special seva | Navratri & Kajali Tritiya |
Offerings
Red chunari, sindoor, bangles, flowers and sweets. Women especially seek the Mother's blessing for household well-being.
Within Kashi's web of shrines
Pair Vishalakshi with Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna, Kaal Bhairav and the Manikarnika/Dashashwamedh ghats.
Festivals पर्व
Kajali Tritiya
The temple's own great day, when women throng Vishalakshi for family welfare.
Sharad Navratri
Nine nights of devotion to the Mother of Kashi.
Chaitra Navratri
The spring nine-nights.
Annakut & Diwali
Kashi's radiant festival season around the Devi and Annapurna.
Yatra guide यात्रा
✈️ By Air
Varanasi (Babatpur / LBS) airport is ~25 km.
🚉 By Train
Varanasi Junction & Banaras stations are major railheads.
🚶 In the lanes
The temple is in the narrow galis near Manikarnika/Meer Ghat — walk in from Dashashwamedh, or ask locally.
🗓️ Best time
Navratri and Kajali Tritiya are special; mornings are calmer for the ghats.
🛕 Nearby
Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna, Kaal Bhairav, Manikarnika & Dashashwamedh Ghats.
🙏 Tip
Beware pushy guides in the lanes; the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh each dusk is unmissable.