Goddess Manikarnika – Manikarni Devi

Goddess Manikarnika is a manifestation of Goddess Shakti. She is associated with the famous Manikranika Kund or pond at Kashi (Varanasi). There are two legends associated with the kund. One legend has it that Goddess Parvati used to take bath in the pond and she sanctified the pool when she left her earrings here.

Another legend has it that when Vishnu cut Sati’s body using Sudharshana Chakra to stop Shiva from his world annihilating Tandava, Sati’s earrings fell at this spot.

The image of Goddess Manikarnika Devi is painted on the walls near the Manikarni Kund after the monsoon rains.

Information about the Goddess is found in the Linga Purana and Kashi Khanda.

Special pujas, which includes decorating the Manikarnika Pond, are held twice in a Hindu calendar year.

An important Ghat at Varanasi where dead bodies are cremated is also known as Manikarnika Ghat.