Shakti Deities of Varanasi

Yá Dèvi Sarvabhutèshu, Shaktirupèna Sanskrita.

Namastasyai Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namo Namaha.

“O Devi! Residing everywhere and in everyone, being the form of power, I bow and
salute you again and again.” Since the initial period in Indian culture women have got special
place. Without woman creation is not possible. Even Lord of the lords Shiva is also
incomplete without Shakti and he becomes Shava (corpse). To destroy the demons, gods also
depended on Goddesses only. Chandika, Durga, Kali Sarswati, Bhawani etc are the names of
this power for the completion of many works in reality or fiction, the power in the form of
goddess Devi, in different forms comes does them. For these different forms we celebrate the
different festivals. Vedic philosophy also says. “Yatra naryestipujyanti Tatra Ramante
Devta”, means the place where woman is worshipped Gods live there only. Varanasi means
the city of Lord Shiva. As per Hindu religion Shiva means entire universe or Param Brahma
i.e. the almighty. According to the Vedas and Upnishadas, without Shakti, even the
perception of Brahma is incomplete. “Sarve Vai Devá Devimupatasthuha Kási Twam
Mahádevi. Sávraveedaham Brahmaswaroopini Mattah Prakritipurushátmakam Jagat.” I
Durgá, is the form of the almighty. The entire universe takes birth from me only. Among
many a forms of Shiva, the Ardhanárishwara (half-woman god) form confirms the above
statement. Therefore, Shakti is worshiped along Shiva in the city of Shiva. Shiva himself is
present at every Shaktipeetha (seat of power) in the symbolic form of Linga. All the Shakti
Peethas emerging from this very conception of Param Brahma are inhibited here in Varanasi.
The main among them are Annapurná, Sankathá, Sheetalá, Durgá, Kámákhyá and Káli.
Beside that, nine Durgá swaroopas and nine Gauri swaroopas of goddess Bhagwati are
worshiped in the Navratri Utsvas, twice in the Hindu calendar year. As found in some deep
researches by historians, scientists and believed by the people as well, that among the
enormous forms of Devi many of the deities are the oldest established idols and shrines which
indicates towards the ancient culture of Banáras. In Varánasi, such deities are the Yoginis
sent to Káshi by Shiva himself.