Kaudi Mata Gavvalamma Temple Varanasi

Among the minor temples of Benares, this temple is of special importance. Kaudi Mata is called Gavvalamma in Telugu. The temple is located near Durgakund, in the lane opposite to the Durga mandhir in Bhelupur.

Kaudi Mata Gavvalamma Temple

Kaudi Mata is considered as a sister to Lord Vishwanath. She is the forest goddess/ Grama Devatha of South India  who came to Benares to worship Lord Shiva. People here did not behave well with her. Irked with them, the goddess abandoned food and water.

After this Maa Annapurna Devi came and placed her in the form of Kodiya Devi here. She blessed the goddess who is considered worthless and told that Kaudi/Conch shells which are usually considered worthless will become valuable and will be offered to you. With your good influence, there will be no grief in the Devotee’s life. Without offering Kaudis to you a pilgrim’s Kashi Darshan would be incomplete.

offerings to the Kaudi Mata- 5 kaudi (conch shells) and a piece of cloth

From then devotees offer a piece of cloth, Kumkum, Turmeric and 5 conch shells to Kaudi Mata. Four of them are presented to the mother and the fifth one is returned to the devotee who keeps it at his money point which is supposed to make him prosperous. 

Gavvalamma/ Kaudi Mata with conch shell garlands 

Some ancient literature considers, Kaudi Mata as re-incarnation of Shabari, an ardent devotee of Lord Rama in Dwapara Yuga. She used to pluck fruits for Lord Rama daily and would taste it first and if it was sweet she would offer to the God and used to discard the bitter ones. She just wanted to give sweet fruits to Lord Rama and the thought never came to her mind that she should not taste them before they are offered to the deity.

When she realized her mistake, she told the truth to the Lord Rama. Rama forgave her and blessed her that you will be worshipped in Kalyug and you will be offered Conch shells, now go and settle in Kashi, you will be relieved from your sin there. Thus, she settled here as Kaudi Mata. 

The main deity is on a raised platform with a small circum-ambulatory path around it. It is a modern day temple without any architectural significance. 

There is no such temple of Kaudi Mata anywhere in the country. It is a worth visiting one.