Temples

Shri Durga Temple of Varanasi is one of the ancient and historic temples of Varanasi.
History suggests that Shri Durga Temple was built in the year 1760 by Rani Bhavani who was the then queen of Bengal. At that time, the cost of building the Durga temple was 50 thousand Indian Rupees.
Maa Durga pratishthit in the Durga Temple of Varanasi is seated on Shri Yantra which makes it an ideal center for obtaining Devi Sadhna and bhakti.
Alongside Maa Durga, the viagra of Kaal Bhairav, Maa Sharda, Maa Lakshmi, and Maa Kali are also installed separately in the Durga Temple of Varanasi. It is mandatory to take the darshan of the unique priest's temple located in the Durga Temple after visiting the main deity and it is only then that the darshan of Maa Durga is complete.
According to Devi Purana Maa Durga rested in the Durga Temple after killing 'Shumbha' and 'Nishumbha' Rakshas. Maa Durga resides here in the form of Adi Shakti and this is from the beginning.
In times of Purana, there were only three main temples in Kashi, first Kashi Vishwanath, second Maa Annapurna, and third Shri Durga Temple. In the Havan Kund of the temple, Chandi Homam is performed every day here and the Agni in the Kund never extinguishes.
According to the 23rd chapter of the Devi Bhagwat Purana, the ruler of Kashi invited for a 'Swayamvara' of his daughter named 'Shashikala'.Soon after the announcement the king of Kashi came to know about his daughter's love affair with the prince Sudarshan, whom she had married secretly. The King of Kashi on knowing about
it called off the Swayavar.Princes of other kingdoms who wanted to pitch themselves for the swayamvara declared a collective war against Sudarshan and the king of Kashi after the news of the marriage was broken to them. Sudarshan and Kashi Naresh both offered their prayers in Shri Durga Temple and they both
received Devi Maa's blessing for victory in the war even though the odds were stacked against them.
After the war, the king of Kashi was declared the winner and he requested Maa Durga to protect Kashi forever and then the grand structure of Shri Durga Temple was built.

Sheetla Mata is the Swaroop of Maa Parvati.
Skanda Purana describes a legend related to Sheetla Mata, in which it is told that Sheetla Devi was born from Brahmaji. Sheetla Mata is considered to be the form of Lord Shiva's consort Shakti. According to the legend, Maa Sheetla Devi had come to live in the kingdom of King Virat on earth with Jwarasura(a demon made from the sweat of Lord Shiva).
Maa Sheetla became angry with this behavior of the king, due to the fire of Sheetla Mata's anger, red spots appeared on the skin of the king's people present in the Kingdom.

People's skin started burning with heat. Then King Virat apologized for his mistake, and after that, the king offered raw milk and cold lassi to Goddess Sheetla, then Mother Sheetla's anger calmed down. Since then the tradition of offering cold dishes to the Mother Goddess has been going on, especially on the Ashtami Tithi.
According to the Devi Mahapurana, when Jwarausra gave bacterial fever to the small children, Maa Sheetla arrived to purify the blood of small children and also freed them of the
fever-causing bacteria. Maa Sheetla Devi resides with Ashta Bhuji swaroop i.e Devi with Eight hands holding Trishul,
Broom, Chakra, a Jar of Water, Neem leaves, Shankh, and Vard Mudra.
Maa Sheetla Devi symbolizes devi ensuring overall Protection, Good health, fortune, and power.

The origins of Maa Vindhyavasini Temple trace back to ancient Hindu mythology. Legend has it that the temple stands at the very spot where Goddess Vindhyavasini manifested herself to vanquish the demons and protect the righteous. Her divine presence in the Vindhya region earned her the name "Vindhyavasini," and devotees believe that she continues to bestow her blessings upon all who seek her refuge.

Kashi Vishalakshi is a Shakti Peeth Temple in Varanasi. The earrings of Maa Parvati had fallen on this place and the devi came to be known as 'Vishalakshi' i.e the big-eyed.
The Skand Purana, Kashi Khand mentions the episode of Maharishi Vyas cursing the city of Varanasi that everyone in the city will be deprived of food.
Maa Kashi Vishalakshi then appeared disguised in the look of a Grihani (hosewife), to give food to Vyas Ji. Maa Kashi Vishalakshi is the only devi who had the power to satisfy lord Shiva's hunger.
Kashi Vishalakshi Devi is Pratishtit the Kshetra Devi of Kashi and holds the title of being the eternal consort of lord Kashi Vishveshwar.
Maa Kashi Vishalakshi has been worshipped as the Kul Devi of people from the Dravidian or Tamil cult. In general, Devi holds special significance for those in the south of India.

Sankata Devi is one of the prime goddesses worshiped in Varanasi city. She is believed to be one of the manifestations of Goddess Chandi and also a sister of Vaishno Devi.

Her shrine, which is a siddhapeeth, is situated near Sindhia Ghat. Inside the sanctum sanctorum is worshipped a 4-5 feet tall idol of Sankata Devi which manifested itself a long time back.

As per the local lore, the heroic Pandava brothers of Mahabharata had worshiped the presiding goddess of this temple during their exile into the forest.