Stuti & Sloka for the Temple
ॐ जयन्ती मंगला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी ।
दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा स्वधा नमोऽस्तुते
Maa Durga is the very source of creation of the entire universe. Devi Durga residing in Shri Durga Temple of Varanasi is in 'Kushmanda swaroop'.
According to Devi Bhagwat Puran after defeating Mahishasura Rakshas in the 9-day war, Maa Durga came back to lord Shiva in Kashi and always resided here since then for the welfare of all her devotees.
Devi Kushmanda is worshiped on the 4th day of Navratri, as on this day massive crowds turnout to offer their prayers in the ShriDurga Temple of Varanasi.
Story of the Temple
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.
Importance of the Temple
Significance of Shri Kukkuteshwar Mahadev in Shri Durga Temple :
Maa Durga's darshan is considered incomplete without the darshan of Kukkuteshwar Mahadev. Another legend related to Shri Durga Temple renders its uniqueness.
The incident is related to ancient times, when once some robbers in the Kashi area had seen Goddess Durga in this temple and resolved that if they get succeeded in the work they were going to do, they would offer 'Nar Balidan' to Maa Adi Shakti Durga.
By the blessings of Maa Durga, they became successful in their work and when they came to the Durga temple they started searching for such a person who had no stain to sacrifice. Then they only saw the priest of the Durga temple suitable for the 'Nar Balidan'. When he asked this to the priest and caught him for the sacrifice, the priest said - "Wait! Let me offer my daily worship to Mata Rani, then offer the sacrifice."After his worship, as soon as he returned the robbers sacrificed the priest, after which Maa Durga immediately appeared and revived him and requested him to ask for a boon.
The priest then told the mother that he does not want his life back, he wants an eternal rest close to her feet. Maa Durga was pleased and gave a boon that whoever does not visit that priest after her darshan, his worship will not be fruitful.
After some time, the priest took samadhi to the Durga temple premises, which is today known as Kukkuteshwar Mahadev.
Religious Significance of Shri Durga Temple:
1. Due to the presence of Maa Durga in Kushmanda Swaroop in Shri Durga Temple, the place holds special importance for Durga Patho, Chandi rituals, Chandi Havan and Devi Maa Shringar Puja.
2. It is said that during the war, Maa Bhagwati killed all the opponents of the prince. There was so much bloodshed in the war that a pool of blood was formed there, which became famous as the Durgakund Temple.
3. Shri Durga temple is situated on the Bisa Yantra. According to a mythological belief, at the divine places where Maa appeared in person, her idols have not been installed in the
temples, in such temples only icons are worshiped. Durga Mandir also comes in this category.
4. Inside the Durga Temple in place of the idol, the face and feet of the Maa Durga are worshiped.
5. The architecture of the Durga temple of Kashi is based on Bisa Yantra. Bisa-yantra i.e. the twenty-angled mechanical structure on which the foundation stone of the temple is placed.
6. Auspicious Pujas and Mundan Sanskar etc. are done here. There is a Havan Kund inside the Durga temple, where Havans are performed daily. Some people also do Tantra Puja here.
7. People also believe that the water in this Durga Kund comes from Patal Loka. That's why its water never dries up.
8. Manglik Dosh Nivaran Puja, a Puja to remove delay in marriage, Mangal Gauri Vrat Puja is also very popular and successful when performed in Sri Durga 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 the Special Puja of Maa Vishalakshi is done.
Doing the 9 days Durga Sapta Shati Path, Kumkum Archana, and 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 day for the Aradhana of Maa Vishalakshi Devi. Sadhak of Maa Vishalakshi Devi offers special sevas and yagna to Maa Adi Shakti to please her and 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 are 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 of 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.