The Durga temple is one of the most important temples in Varanasi and is built in the 8th 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.