Stuti & Sloka for the Temple
ध्यायेद्देवीं विशालाक्षीं तप्तजाम्बुनद प्रभ द्विभुजाम् अम्बिकां चण्डी खड्गखेटकधारिणीं ॥
नानालंकार सुभगा रक्ताम्बरधरां शुभां। सदा षोडशवर्षीयां प्रसन्नास्यां त्रिलोचनां ।
The meaning of the above Shloka is that "Vishalakshi Devi always shines like hot gold, she has two arms in which she is holding Khadag and Khetak. The age of the goddess Kashi Vishalakshi always appears to be like a sixteen years old girl".
Story of the Temple
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.
Importance of the Temple
1. Kashi Vishalakshi Devi Temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeth Temple and the only Shakti Peeth in the sacred Kashi Kshetra.
2. Kashi Vishalakshi Devi Temple is in the same parlance as Meenakshi Devi (the fish-eyed) and Kamakshi Devi (the love-eyed) and is regarded as one of the 4 most important Shakti Peeth Temple.
3. Devotees who worship Kashi Vishalakshi Devi are blessed with good health, young age, and beauty and grace both in their looks and their minds.
4. Married women who worship in the Kashi Vishalakshi Devi Temple are blessed with 'Akhand Saubhagyawati ashirvachan' and unmarried girls are blessed with a 'happy, happening and a peaceful married life'.
5. Skand Purana mentions in the 4th chapter that in the Kashi Kshetra, Vishalakshi Devi Temple fulfills and satisfies the devotees with by blessing them with all their desired wishes.
6. In the 83rd chapter of Skand Purana, Kashi Khand, lord Shiva mentions that devotees who will take Manikarnika Snan and worship Maa Vishalalshi Devi will obtain Moksha or salvation (i.e freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth).
7. In Chapter 97, Shloka 240 of Kashi Khand lord shiva says 'That before completing Kashi Nivas it is mandatory to obtain the darshans of Maa Vishalakshi Devi to complete the Kashi Yatra.
8. Lord Kashi Vishwanath mentions in the Shiv Mahapurana that Kashi Vishalalshi Devi Temple is his eternal resting place and it is here that he puts to rest all the troubles in the lives of his devotees.
9. Kashi Vishakshi Devi Temple along with Kaal Bhairav, Dhundiraj, Maa Ganga, and Vishwanath Temple are the six main focal or Sathang Yog points in the Kashi Parikrama Yatra.
10. Adi Guru Shankaracharya performed his prayers in the sacred Kashi Vishalakshi Devi Temple and also installed a 'Shri Chakram Yantra' on which the Kumkum Archana is offered today in the Temple.
Pujas Performed in the Temple
Auspicious tithis & festivals of temple
Chaitra Navratri: The holy month of Chaitra Mass marks the beginning of the Sanatan New Year, the first 9 days of the month are also celebrated as Chaitra Navratri when Special Puja of Maa Vishalakshi is done.
Doing the 9 days Durga Sapta Shati Path, Kumkum Archana, 9 Kanya Bhojan are some of the popular rituals to be performed in the Vishalakshi Temple.
Durga Ashtami: The Ashtami falling on the Shukla Paksha Tithi of every month is the most important days for the Aradhana of Maa Vishalakshi Devi. Sadhak of Maa Vishalakshi Devi offer special sevas and yagna to Maa Adi Shakti to please her obtain the grace and devotion of Maa Vishalakshi.
Chanting the Siddha Kunjika and Durga Kavach Path to Maa Vishalakshi Devi can be Boon showering for the devotees on this day
Gupta Navratri: The Gupta Navratri comes twice a year and is considered the most sacred time for doing the Aradhana of Maa Jagat Janani Vishalakshi Devi. Sadhak and Ardent devotees do the Upasana of Maa Vishalakshi Devi to attain the mantra Siddhi and also blessings of victory over the enemy.
Amavasya Tithi: The Night of Amavasya Tithi is considered special for doing the Yagna of Maa Vishalakshi Devi, the energies of Maa Shakti are very high on this day and any sincere devotee can get his wish fulfilled easily.
Especially if an Amavasya combines with a Tuesday or Sunday this day becomes even more powerful for worshipping Maa Vishalakshi Devi
Shivratri: On this day the Tapasya of Maa Vishalakshi was completed as she finally in the form Sakshat Parvati, united with Bhagwan Shiv after getting married. Devotees who worship Maa Vishalakshi Adi Shakti by doing Jagran on the night of Mahashivratri are blessed with good health, wealth, success, and material prosperity.