Famous Temples of the Varanasi Pilgrim Trail

Varanasi, a historical city in Uttar Pradesh, India, dates back to 11^th century BC, and is often termed as the ‘Spiritual Capital of India’. It is an essential pilgrimage centre on the banks of the Ganges for countless tourists. Temple rituals, Ganga Aarti, and various other elements and features make this place extremely charming and mesmerizing. If you plan to visit Varanasi, make sure that you visit the Hindu temples listed below.

Durga Mandir

Constructed in the 18^th century, Durga Mandir is dedicated to Maa Durga, a form of Mother Goddess in Shaktism. The temple has a multi-level shikhara (spire). Non-Hindus can go into the courtyard of the Durga temple but the inner sanctum is off limits. Countless Hindus visit the Durga temple during Navratri and other pious occasions.

New Vishwanath Mandir

New Vishwanath Mandir is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple took over 30 years to be completed and is one of the tallest in India. The height of the temple is 77 metres (253 feet) and its design was inspired by Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir. Full text of the Bhagavad Gita and extracts from the sacred Hindu scriptures are engraved with illustrations on the inner marble walls of the temple.

Annapurna Devi Mandir

Annapurna Devi Temple was built in the 18^th century in the honour of Annapurna Devi, the Hindu Goddess for Nourishment. As per traditional norms, devotees should worship this divine being with an offering of clothes, flowers, incense sticks, flowers, and lamps. Annapurna Temple gets a huge crowd of pilgrims on the occasion of the Annacoot festival, celebrated every year post Diwali.

Kaal Bhairav Mandir

It is commonly believed that no person can stay in Kashi without the consent of Kaal Bhairav! To elaborate, Bhairav is a formidable manifestation of Lord Shiva who wears a chaplet of skulls and carries a bunch of peacock feathers. ‘Kaal Bhairav’ means Death and Fate. For many centuries, the Kaal Bhairav Mandir was a spiritual centre for the most ardent of Shiva’s worshippers.

Sankat Mochan Temple

Sankat Mochan Temple was built in the honour of Hanuman, a God and an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. Sankat Mochan means reliever of trouble. Every Tuesday and Saturday, thousands of devotees line up in front of the Sankat Mochan temple to pray to Lord Hanuman. On Hanuman Jayanti, the birthday of Lord Hanuman, the temple conducts a special parade, which runs from Durgakund to Sankat Mochan.