Vishalakshi Devi
(17th Shakti Peeth)
Visalakshi Devi Vikhyata
Vaaranaasyam shivaanthike
Nirataanna pradatreeda
Nirbhaagya janasantoshini
Story behind Astadasa Shakti Peethas
Brahma performed Yaga to please Sakthi and Siva to request Sakthi in creation of Universe. Sakthi separated from Shiva emerge in the form of Sati and helped Brahma in creation of universe. Brahma sought to give back Sati to Siva. Daksha, son of Brahma performed Yagna with an intention to get Sati as his daughter. Sati born to Daksha and in due course she wanted to marry Shiva. At that time Brahma saw Prudhvi with bad intention and Shiva cut the fifth head of Brahma with his trident. Daksha got angry and withdrawn marriage of Sati with Siva. But Sati attracted with Shiva and married him. Daksha got hatred on Shiva.
Daksha intended to perform Nireeswara Yaga and invited all the Gods except Siva and Sathi in Kailas. Shiva warned Sati not to participate in the Yaga in the absence of invitation. Sati has gone to Yaga with Nandi and other followers. Sati started yoga which is not possible to the Yogis moving her five elements from their origin. Fire erupted from her grave status of body and she self immolated in the fire.
Enraged to the death and insult of Sati, Shiva in meditation got angry and performed Tandava Nruthya. Shiva has cut some hair from his head in Tandava and thrown on earth. The piece of hair burned and Veerabhadra born with thousand hands, and black body. Veerabhadra is so horrible with three angry eyes, Trident and other weapons in the hands along with skulls in the neck. Siva ordered to destroy the Yaga. Veerabhadra with skulls in his neck destroyed the Yaga and Lord Vishnu opposes him using Sudarsana Chakra. But Veerabhadra swallowed the Chakra and Vishnu given way to take revenge on Daksha. Veerabhadra killed Daksha and returned to Kailash. Daksha was given re-birth after affixing the head of a male goat to the body of Daksha.
Shiva could not bear the separation grief with Sati and left the duty to safe guard the universe. The Gods praised Lord Vishnu and at the request of the Gods, Lord Vishnu used Sudarshana chakra and cut the corpse in to pieces to release Shiva from the worry of the death of Sati. The body parts of Sati fell at several places of the Indian subcontinent and Groin in Trincomalee of Srilanka. The holy places formed are known as Shakti Peet. There is discrepancy in the number of Sakthi Peet as 108, 51and 52 but the 18 Sakthi Peet are familiar as Astadasa SakthiPeeth. The Goddess Dakshayani accompanies with her consort, Lord Bhairava (Shiva) a manifestation of Lord Shiva in all the Shakti Peeth.
Sri Vishalakshi Devi Shakti Peetham
Visalakshi is the 17th Sakthi Peeth near Viswanath Temple in Varanasi and the Right Hand of Sathi fallen here. The Sakthi Peeth is at Meer Ghat (Manikarnika Ghat) near Kasi Viswanath Temple and on the banks of Ganga. There are two idols in this temple One is fo festivals and the idol is bigger than the other. The small idol behind to the festival idol is the Sakthi Peeth. The idol worshipped as Sakthi Peeth. The Deity spread her eyes to see the glory of Shiva and the Goddess being called as Visalkashi. The ancient name of Varanasi is Kasi. Vislakshi Temple of Kasi defiened in Devi Purana. The Maa with the name of Visalakshi and her concert Bhairava with the name of Kala Bhairava are worshipped in Varanasi. The corpse of Sathi, wife of Shiva self sacrificed in fire during Daksha Yagna was cut off into pieces by Lord Vishnu with his Sudarshana Chakra and the Right ear ring said to be fallen at Manikarnika Ghat.
Kanchipuram defined as Moksha Sstalams in Gaurdha Purana. Skandha Purana says that Sage Vyasa has not secure food in Kasi and get ready to give curse to Kasi. Visalakshi in the form of Annapurna feed to Vyasa. Kajali Teej Festival performed on the third day of Badrapada Masa (Month) is famous. Devotees get mental piece in this temple. Devotees take bath in Ganga near the temple and worship Visalakshi. People feel that the worship, offerings, recitation of chants and self donations gives exponential reward. Specially worship will be conducted especially to unmarried girls to get marriage and brood less couples to get children. Devotees visit Viswanath, Annapurna and Vislakshi temples.
Two Navaratri festivals, one end with Full Moon Dasami also known as Vijaya Dasami in October or Telugu Aasviyuja Month known as Navaratri. The second one comes in Multilateral of March or Chaitra Month. Pilgrims may visit Nava Durga temples in these Nine days. Visalakahi in North, Kamakshi in Kanchipuram and Meenakshi in Madhurai of South are the important temples.
Vishalakshi Devi Temple Timings
The temple kept open from 6-00AM to 7-00PM. There are Guest Houses and Hotels near the temple for accommodation. The details of availability of meals, accommodation and priests were given in a separate sheet.
