The Durga temple is one of the most important temples in Varanasi and is built in the 18th century by Bengali Maharani and is stained red with ochre . This temple is built in north Indian Nagara style with a multi-tiered shikhara(spire). The shikhara of the temple is formed by many small spires which are built one on top of the other. Durga is the 'terrible' form of Shiva's consort Parvati, so at festivals there are often sacrifices of goats. Non-Hindus can enter the courtyard but not the inner sanctum. It is commonly known as Monkey Temple due to many frisky monkey that have made it their home.

The temple is also nick named as the Monkey temple, because of the large number of monkeys playing on the top of the temple. Nearby the temple is the Durgakund (tank). The legend goes that Goddess Durga rested at this kund after slaying the demon. The image of the goddess in the temple is draped in red-cloth.