Mangala Gauri Temple
Timings
Opening time
05.00AM to 01.00PM and 03.00PM to 10PM
Architecture
The existing main temple was built on a hillock, ‘Mangalagauri hill'(or on ‘Bhasmakoot Parvat’), where the temple faces the east. To have you visiting the goddess, you have to cover a flight of steps(assumed two hundred steps), or a motorable route can lead you there. In front of the temple, there locates a little hall or mandap. A fire pit is housed outside the courtyard where Homas and Havans are done. Several beautiful sculptures are carved on the walls of the sanctum. The shrine’s entrance door is so small in size that devotees have to incline to enter. The garbha griha(sanctum sanctorum) has two parts: the ‘Sabhamandir’ and the ‘sanctum sanatorium’. A flame named an ‘Akhand Deep’ is kept lighted up inside the temple for the whole day. For the devotees, this ‘Akhand Deep’ is very consecrated just by its darshan(visiting). It is a belief to the devotees that the ‘Akhand Deep’ has been burning since the establishment of the main temple and has never gone off. The main temple has two rounded stones symbolising Goddess Sati’s breasts. The temple is adorned with red churni. Two small shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Mahishasura Mardini, Durga and Dakshina Kali. Four more temples are located in the Mangla Gauri Temple of Lord Ganesha, Maa Kali, Lord Shiva as a ‘Shivlingam’ with ‘Nandi’ outside and Lord Hanuman. At the starting point of climbing up the hillock, a remarkable and unforgettable temple of ‘Bhima'(one of the five Pandava brothers) is there. A knee impression is there, which the locals claim belongs to him when he did shraddha-karma and familiarised as ‘Bhimvedi Gaya’ later.
Legend
This temple also has the Mayukh Aditya temple. There is also Lord Shiva inside the temple grounds under the name of Gabhastheeswarar, who was established by Lord Surya. Goddess Gauri lives in Kashi in her Nav Gauri incarnations to bless her followers.
Mukhnirmalika Gauri, Jyeshta Gauri, Saubhagya Gauri, Shringar Gauri, Vishalakshi Gauri, Lalita Gauri, Bhavani Gauri, Mangla Gauri, and Mahalaxmi Gauri are among the nine temples for Goddess Gauri that are located in Varanasi. Devotees of Goddess Gauri during Vasantik Navratri are said to be able to obtain pleasure, prosperity, tranquility, and the forgiveness of their sins by receiving her darshan.
According to Kashi Khand, Goddess Bhavani Gauri, the eighth manifestation of Goddess Gauri, is honored on the eighth day of Vasantik Navratri. A Shivlinga and a statue of Goddess Gauri were originally installed at Panchnad Teerth (Panchganga Ghat), and Surya Dev engaged in strict penance, according to a narrative mentioned in Kashi Khand.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared in front of him and took up residence there as a blessing for Surya Dev when Lord Shiva became delighted with his prayers. Goddess Gauri is another name for Goddess Parvati. It is thought that those who worship the goddess Mangala Gauri are granted a variety of happiness and success in their lives.
According to history, Lord Surya once set up a Shiv Ling and a Devi idol at Panchanada Teerth (Panchganga Ghat) and began fervently worshipping Lord Shiva. The intense heat produced by Lord Surya’s prayers began to reflect their intensity. The sun’s rays started to warm up. At last, it became intolerable for all creatures, and all physical activity virtually came to a halt.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared in front of Lord Surya, pleased with his penance. The moment Lord Surya opened his eyes and began singing the praises of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the two of them were overjoyed. Lord Surya received various wonderful desires from them.
Lord Shiva informed Lord Surya that the Devi idol he had installed would be known as Mangala Gauri. A person who worships Mangala Gauri with zeal is bestowed with all happiness and prosperity. Unmarried girls will find a suitable match soon, and childless couples will be blessed with children.
How to reach ?
- By Train: Trains are always a better option. these days Varanasi junction is keeping the way all good. Mangala Gauri temple is just 5km away from Varanasi junction.
- By Air: Book your tickets to the Gorakhpur airport, which is few km away from the temple. as Varanasi airport is well connected to other city Airports.
- By Bus: One can travel directly to the temple. various local and private bus services are available for visiting Varanasi.
