Kashi Vishalakshi Temple: The Sacred Shakti Peetha Near Kashi Vishwanath

The Kashi Vishalakshi Temple is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Ganga River. Goddess Vishalakshi is traditionally regarded as one of the deities of the Ashta Dasha Shakti Peethas. The name Vishalakshi refers to the Goddess with wide or expansive eyes. According to the traditional account, a part of Goddess Sati’s ornaments fell at this location, making it a sacred Shakti Peetha.

The temple features a distinctive South Indian architectural style despite being situated in North India. Devotees traditionally visit Vishalakshi Devi along with Kashi Vishwanath and Goddess Annapurna as part of their pilgrimage to Varanasi. The temple is also associated with beliefs surrounding Navagraha worship, the Sri Chakra and special festivities during Bhadrapada and Sharannavaratri. Devotees consider the temple an important spiritual destination, while traditions regarding divine beings visiting the shrine at night remain matters of religious belief.