Kashi Vishwanath
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
In Hindu tradition, Kashi is associated with moksha (liberation), and Shiva is believed to give the Tarak Mantra to the dying. The temple's daily worship includes the 3 AM Mangala Aarti and the 7 PM Sapta Rishi Aarti.
Darshan Information
Darshan Hours
2:30 AM
to 11:00 PM
Daily Aarti
3 AM · 11:15 AM · 7 PM · 9 PM · 10:30 PM
Mangala · Midday Bhog · Sapta Rishi · Night Shringar/Bhog · Shayan · Book ticketed aartis on the official portal
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Modest Clothing
The official FAQ lists no fixed dress code for general darshan, but asks visitors to wear decent clothing · Confirm any special ritual rules before travel
Best Time to Visit
Year-Round
Early weekday darshan is usually calmer · Aarti periods, festivals, and Shravan can be very crowded
Security Rules
No Phones
Electronic and non-electronic gadgets, pens, and bags are not allowed inside · Free Trust lockers are available
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Approx. 30–90 min
Planning allowance for ordinary weekdays; early morning is often lighter
Weekends
Approx. 1–3 hrs
Planning allowance for weekends and busy travel periods
Festivals
Approx. 3–6+ hrs
Possible during Shravan, Maha Shivaratri and Kartik festivals
* Foreign nationals and visitors of other faiths, please check entry permissions at the main gate before proceeding.
The Evening of Kashi
Two important evening aartis: choose one for each evening
Ganga Aarti at sunset or Sapta Rishi Aarti at 7:00 PM
Dashashwamedh Ghat's Ganga Aarti and the temple's Sapta Rishi Aarti take place at overlapping times. You cannot comfortably attend both in full on the same evening. Choose the Ganga Aarti for the river ceremony, or book the Sapta Rishi Aarti to attend the seven-priest ritual inside Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Around sunset
Ganga Aarti: Dashashwamedh Ghat (confirm locally)
7:00 PM
Sapta Rishi Aarti: KV Temple (₹300 ticket)
Plan One Aarti Per Evening
- 1
For Ganga Aarti, arrive at Dashashwamedh Ghat well before sunset. The start time changes with the season, and boat prices vary, so confirm both locally.
- 2
For Sapta Rishi Aarti (7:00–8:15 PM), book the ₹300 ticket at shrikashivishwanath.org and enter by 6:30 PM as advised by the Trust.
- 3
Carry the printed aarti ticket and valid ID. Gadgets, pens, and bags are not allowed inside; free Trust lockers are available if you have not left them at your hotel.
- 4
Use a second evening if you want to attend both ceremonies without leaving either one early.
Puja Schedule
8 rituals · Daily
2:30 AM – 11:00 PMTimings may shift during festivals and special occasions. Confirm at shrikashivishwanath.org before visiting.
Travel and Stay
At a Glance
Sugam Darshan
₹250 without prasad or ₹300 with prasad · Escorted route · Subject to availability
Leave Electronics Outside
Phones, smartwatches and power banks are not allowed · Use authorised lockers
Sapta Rishi Aarti
7:00–8:15 PM · ₹300 on the official schedule · Enter by 6:30 PM
directions_transitHow to Reach Kashi Vishwanath
By Train
Varanasi Junction · approximately 3-4 km
By Flight
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) · approximately 18-25 by route km
By Road
NH19/NH27 · 820 km
hotelWhere to Stay
Heritage & Luxury Hotels: ₹15,000 to ₹50,000+/night
BrijRama Palace (heritage 5-star on Darbhanga Ghat, 500m from temple) is the most coveted stay. Several heritage havelis converted to boutique hotels on the ghats. Book months ahead for peak festivals.
Mid-range Hotels: ₹2,000 to ₹8,000/night
Hotel Alka (near Meer Ghat), Hotel Temple on Ganges, and dozens of mid-range properties near the ghats. Good for most pilgrims. Book 2–4 weeks ahead for festivals.
Dharamshalas & Budget Guesthouses: Free to ₹2,500/night
Hundreds of dharamshalas near the ghats are basic but clean. Ganpati Guest House near Dashashwamedh is popular. State Bhavans (₹200–₹1,000) offer budget stays for residents of respective states.
Minimum 2 nights recommended for the complete Varanasi experience. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for Dev Deepawali, 2–3 months ahead for Mahashivratri.
wb_sunnySeasonal Planning
Oct – Feb · Best
Cooler weather makes walking through the old city more comfortable. Dev Deepawali in Kartik brings very large crowds. Carry warm layers if attending the 3 AM Mangala Aarti in winter.
Feb – Mar · Mahashivratri
One of the temple's busiest periods. Expect changed entry routes, heavy security, and a very long wait. Sugam Darshan may be unavailable on special days, so check the Trust portal and local advisories before travel.
May – Jun · Avoid
Extreme heat: 38–45°C. The narrow lanes of the old city trap heat. Walking from Godowlia to the temple becomes brutal. If you must visit, go only at dawn (4–5 AM) and return before 9 AM. Monsoon July–September is more manageable.
tips_and_updatesVisitor Tips
- check_circleUse only the official portal or Trust helpdesk for Sugam Darshan. The portal currently lists ₹250 without prasad and ₹300 with prasad. Carry a printed ticket and valid ID. Sugam is unavailable during aartis and may be unavailable on special days; it does not guarantee a fixed visit time.
- check_circleLeave gadgets and bags at your hotel or use the free Trust lockers. The official FAQ does not allow electronic or non-electronic gadgets, pens, bags, or luggage inside. Free lockers are listed at Mandir Chauk, YSK-1, YSK-2, YSK-3, and the helpdesk.
- check_circlePlan Ganga Aarti and Sapta Rishi Aarti on separate evenings. The Ganga Aarti begins around sunset and the Sapta Rishi Aarti runs from 7:00–8:15 PM, so their timings overlap. Choose one if you have only one evening.
- check_circleChoose the approach that matches your route. Gate 4 is commonly approached from Godowlia and Bansphatak. Gate 1 connects from the Ganga side; the official FAQ lists ghat-side corridor entry from 6 AM to 9 PM.
- check_circleAsk temple staff before carrying offerings. Rules can change with crowd and security conditions. Buy only what staff confirm can be taken through the entry route, and use authorized counters for official prasad.
Temple Highlights
Varanasi: City of Moksha (Sapta Puri)
Kashi (Varanasi) is one of the 7 Sapta Puri, sacred cities that, by tradition, are believed to grant moksha (liberation from rebirth). According to tradition, one who dies in Kashi is believed to receive the Tarak Mantra from Lord Shiva, granting liberation. It is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, and its sacred geography is among the most revered on earth.
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: Transformed Pilgrimage
Phase 1 of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham was inaugurated in December 2021 at a reported cost of about ₹339 crore. The project expanded the precinct from about 3,000 to 500,000 sq ft, connected it to the Ganga, added visitor facilities, and restored more than 40 old temples.
Ahilyabai Holkar & Ranjit Singh
The present temple was built by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780. The official temple history says Maharaja Ranjit Singh later donated gold that covered two temple domes in 1839.
Sapta Rishi Aarti: Seven-Priest Synchronized Fire Ritual
Every evening from 7:00–8:15 PM, seven priests perform the Sapta Rishi Aarti. The official portal lists a ₹300 ticket and asks ticket holders to enter by 6:30 PM. Book through the Trust portal and confirm availability.
Major Festivals
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is one of the temple’s busiest festivals, with major crowd-control and security arrangements. Expect a very long wait and changed access procedures.
What to do: Check the Trust portal and local advisories before travel. Sugam Darshan may be unavailable on special days. Book accommodation well ahead and keep the day flexible.
Dev Deepawali
Varanasi’s ghats are illuminated with many oil lamps on Kartik Purnima. The riverfront becomes extremely busy, and movement around the old city can be slow.
What to do: Book accommodation and any authorized boat service well ahead. Confirm local traffic, river, and crowd-control arrangements before setting out.
Shravan Month Mondays
Shravan and its Mondays draw very large numbers of Shiva devotees, including Kanwar pilgrims carrying Ganga water. Queues and security controls can be much heavier than usual.
What to do: A non-Monday weekday is usually easier. If visiting on Monday, check the official portal first and do not assume Sugam Darshan will be available.
Navaratri (twice annually)
Nine nights of devotion to the Goddess. The Annapurna Temple (next to Kashi Vishwanath) draws massive crowds during Navaratri as Annapurna Devi is Shiva's consort in Kashi. Both temples are heavily crowded. The city is festively lit for all nine days.
What to do: Visit Annapurna Temple immediately after Kashi Vishwanath darshan on Navaratri because both are within 100m. Book accommodation 2–4 weeks ahead for Navaratri periods.
The Story of Kashi Vishwanath
Kashi, also called Varanasi, is one of India's oldest living cities. In Hindu tradition, it is Shiva's sacred city. Lord Shiva is believed to give the Tarak Mantra to the dying, leading the soul toward moksha, or liberation from rebirth.
The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt more than once. The official temple history says the earlier structure was demolished during Aurangzeb's reign and the Gyanvapi Mosque was built at that site. The mosque is beside the present temple, and related legal proceedings are ongoing. In 1780, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built the present temple on an adjacent site. In 1839, Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated gold that covered two domes. The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham project opened in 2021 and created a wider route between the temple and the Ganga.
In Kashi tradition, Shiva is believed to give the Tarak Mantra to the dying and guide the soul toward liberation.
Traditional belief associated with the Kashi Khanda
Nearby Temples & Sites
Dashashwamedh Ghat: Ganga Aarti
near_me About 0.5 km · walking route varies
The daily Ganga Aarti begins around sunset, with seasonal timing changes. It overlaps with the 7 PM Sapta Rishi Aarti, so plan them on separate evenings if you want to attend both fully.
Manikarnika Ghat
near_me About 0.7 km · walking route varies
A major active cremation ghat associated with the Kashi belief in moksha. Visit quietly, keep a respectful distance, and do not photograph cremations or mourners. Follow all local instructions.
Sarnath: Buddha's First Sermon
near_me About 10 km · travel time varies
A major Buddhist pilgrimage and archaeological site where the Buddha is believed to have given his first teaching. Allow about half a day and confirm current museum and monument hours and fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book Sugam Darshan? Is it required?
General darshan is free, so Sugam Darshan is optional. Book only through shrikashivishwanath.org or the official helpdesk. The portal currently lists ₹250 without prasad and ₹300 with prasad.
Sugam provides an escorted, shorter route, but the Trust does not promise a fixed wait time. It is unavailable during aartis and may be unavailable on special days. Carry a printed ticket and valid ID.
What electronics are banned? Can I bring my phone?
The official FAQ says electronic and non-electronic gadgets, pens, bags, and luggage are not allowed inside the temple premises. This includes phones and cameras.
Free Trust lockers are available at Mandir Chauk, YSK-1, YSK-2, YSK-3, and the helpdesk. Leaving unnecessary items at your hotel can still make entry easier.
What is the Sapta Rishi Aarti and how do I attend?
The Sapta Rishi Aarti is performed by seven priests from 7:00–8:15 PM. The official portal lists a ₹300 ticket.
Book through shrikashivishwanath.org and enter by 6:30 PM as advised by the Trust. Carry a printed ticket and valid ID. Availability can change on special days.
Is Kashi Vishwanath open every day of the year?
The Trust publishes a daily schedule: Mangala Aarti ticket holders report at 2:30 AM, the aarti runs from 3:00–4:00 AM, general darshan begins at 4:00 AM, and the Shayan Aarti ends at 11:00 PM. Festival, security, or administrative arrangements can change access, so check the official portal on your visit date.
Does Sugam Darshan include Sparsh Darshan?
No. The official Sugam terms clearly say that the ticket is not applicable to Sparsh Darshan. The official booking portal does not list a separate fixed-price Sparsh product. Ask the Trust helpdesk about current availability and rules instead of relying on agents or unofficial sellers.
Reviewed against the shrikashivishwanath.org Trust portal and FAQ in July 2026. The portal currently lists Sugam Darshan at ₹250 without prasad and ₹300 with prasad; services, fees, and access can change. Confirm before booking. Helpdesk: +91-7080292930 or +91-6393131608.