Who built the Durga Temple in Varanasi?
The Durga Temple at Durgakund is commonly said to have been built in the 18th century by a Bengali queen, Rani Bhabani of Natore. It is a red-ochre, nagara-style temple beside a large tank (kund). It is about 4 km south of Kashi Vishwanath and very busy during Navratri.
Durga Temple (Durga Kund Mandir)
- Presiding deity
- Goddess Durga
- Location
- Durgakund, Varanasi
- From Kashi Vishwanath
- About 4 km (approximate)
On this page
The temple
The temple's red colour and multi-tiered spires make it one of the most distinctive in the city. Beside it lies the Durga Kund, a large stepped tank that gives the neighbourhood its name.
History
The temple is commonly dated to the 18th century and attributed to Rani Bhabani of Natore, a Bengali zamindar known for her patronage of temples in Varanasi. We report this as commonly stated.
Visiting
- Tuesdays, Saturdays and Navratri are the busiest times.
- Monkeys live around the temple; keep food and glasses secure.
- The Tulsi Manas Mandir, a modern temple with verses of the Ramcharitmanas on its walls, is nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Durga Temple called the monkey temple?
Because of the many monkeys that live around it.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Durga Mandir, Varanasi (encyclopaedia entry with cited references) (opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia — Reference work, checked September 2026
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism — Varanasi (opens in a new tab)
Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh — Government source, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
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