Varanasi · Jyotirlinga · Lord Shiva
Kashi Vishwanath Temple Darshan, timings & visitor guide
Plan a smoother visit to Varanasi’s most important Shiva shrine, with practical guidance on darshan, aarti timings, lockers, dress and the best time to arrive.
The basics
What Is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is dedicated to Shiva as Vishwanath or Vishweshwara — “Lord of the Universe”. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, the sacred sites where Shiva is worshipped as an infinite column of light, and it is believed to be the first Jyotirlinga to have manifested.
The temple stands in the old city, in the lane known as Vishwanath Gali, close to the Ganga. The present building dates from 1780, when Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore had it built, and its spires were gold-plated in 1835. Since the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor opened on 13 December 2021, a broad walkway leads to the temple from the river, replacing the narrow lanes that once surrounded it.
For many pilgrims a visit here, together with a bath in the Ganga, is believed to move the soul towards moksha (liberation). Around 45,000 pilgrims were reported to visit on an average day in 2023, so a little planning makes a big difference.
- Deity
- Shiva as Vishwanath / Vishweshwara
- Significance
- One of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines
- Location
- Vishwanath Gali, old city, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Present temple built
- 1780, by Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore
- Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
- Inaugurated on 13 December 2021
- Entry
- General darshan is free. A paid, queue-less “Sugam Darshan” can be booked on the official temple portal.
- Phones & cameras
- Not permitted inside; lockers are available
- Best time to visit
- Early morning on a weekday. Mondays, the month of Shravan and Maha Shivaratri are the busiest.
- Time to allow
- Roughly 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the queue
Why it matters
Significance of Kashi Vishwanath
Kashi — the old name of Varanasi — is regarded as Shiva’s own city, and Vishwanath is its presiding lord. The main linga stands about 60 cm tall with a circumference of about 90 cm and is set in a silver altar. Above it rise the temple’s gold-plated spire and domes; in February 2022 the sanctum itself was gold-plated using about 60 kg of donated gold.
The temple is central to several festivals. Maha Shivaratri is the main one. Rangbhari Ekadashi, about 12 days later, marks Shiva’s return ceremony and is celebrated with damaru drums, and on Vasant Panchami a tilak is applied to the deity.
Many pilgrims follow the tradition of giving up one thing they are attached to after visiting Kashi.
A temple rebuilt many times
History of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The site has been sacred for centuries. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt more than once.
- 1194
The original temple was destroyed during Muhammad Ghori’s invasion.
- 1585
The temple was rebuilt by Man Singh I and Raja Todar Mal, under Emperor Akbar.
- 1669
The temple was demolished on Aurangzeb’s orders, and the Gyanvapi Mosque was built at the site.
- 1780
Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maratha ruler of Indore, built the present temple on an adjacent site.
- 1835
Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated about one tonne of gold to plate the temple’s domes and spire.
- 2018
A Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) was held, the first in 239 years.
- 2021
The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor was inaugurated on 13 December, linking the temple with the river.
Dates are drawn from published histories of the temple. Accounts of the earlier centuries differ in detail.
On the day
What to Expect During Darshan
Most of your visit is spent moving through security and the queue; darshan inside the sanctum is brief. Arrive with only the essentials and follow the marked route through the corridor.
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1
Store restricted items
Leave phones, cameras, smartwatches and power banks in an authorised locker.
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2
Pass security
Expect police checks and frisking before you enter the temple route.
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3
Join the darshan queue
Keep flowers or Ganga water ready and follow the staff’s directions.
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4
Enter the sanctum
The line keeps moving, so your view of the Vishwanath linga will be brief.
Beware of “VIP darshan” touts. Sugam Darshan and aarti bookings are made through the temple’s official channels. Be wary of anyone in the lanes offering to arrange entry for a fee.
Plan your visit
Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings & Aarti Schedule
The temple opens in the small hours and closes late at night. Published timings vary a little between sources, so treat these as approximate.
| Ritual or session | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Temple opens for rituals | Around 2:30–3:00 AM |
| Mangala Aarti | Around 3:00–4:00 AM |
| General darshan (morning) | From about 4:00 AM to 11:00 AM |
| Bhog Aarti | Around 11:15 AM–12:20 PM |
| General darshan (afternoon and evening) | From about 12:00 noon to 7:00 PM |
| Sandhya (Saptarishi) Aarti | Around 7:00–8:15 PM |
| Shringar Aarti | Around 9:00–10:15 PM |
| Closing after Shayan Aarti | Around 11:00 PM |
These times come from published sources. The exact schedule is set by the temple trust and shifts with the season, festivals and crowd control — check the official portal before you go.
Etiquette
Rules, Dress Code & Etiquette
Phones and electronics
Not permitted inside. Phones, cameras, smartwatches and power banks go in the locker, so travel light.
What to wear
Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Traditional dress is not compulsory, and clean, non-torn jeans are generally fine.
Offerings
Flowers and Ganga water are the usual offerings. Buy them from the shops near the entrance and agree the price first.
Security
Expect police checkpoints and frisking at several points. Carry only what you need.
Footwear
Footwear is removed before you enter, so wear something easy to slip off.
Queues
Stay patient and follow the staff’s directions. Pushing forward does not speed up the line.
Getting there
How to Reach the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
However you arrive, expect the final approach through the old city to be on foot or by e-rickshaw where permitted.
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Step 1
Airport or station
Take a cab or auto towards Godowlia or Dashashwamedh. Airport pickup can be arranged.
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Step 2
Godowlia drop-off
Cars stop before the old-city lanes; confirm the nearest practical drop point with your driver.
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Step 3
Walk through the old city
Follow signs for the corridor and allow extra time for security and crowds.
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Step 4
Optional river approach
Walk up through the corridor from the Ganga; Dashashwamedh Ghat is the closest popular ghat.
Local advice
Tips for a Smooth Visit
- Go early. The first hours after the temple opens are the calmest, especially on a weekday.
- Book ahead on busy days. Reserve Sugam Darshan or an aarti slot if you visit on a Monday, in Shravan or around Maha Shivaratri.
- Travel light. Leave phones, bags and valuables at your hotel if you can — it shortens both the security check and the locker queue.
- Combine your visit. The Annapurna Temple is right beside it, and tradition says to see Kal Bhairav first.
- Plan the evening. Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Ganga Aarti are close to the temple, so the two fit into one day.
Plan a route
Places to Visit Near Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Combine these in one outing — each has its own visitor guide.
Annapurna Temple
About 15 metres north-west of the Vishwanath shrine — easy to visit on the same trip.
Read the guide →
Kal Bhairav Temple
Kashi’s guardian deity, traditionally visited before Kashi Vishwanath.
Read the guide →
Dashashwamedh Ghat
The main ghat for the evening Ganga Aarti, close to the temple.
Read the guide →
Manikarnika Ghat
The city’s main cremation ghat, near the corridor and the Annapurna Temple.
Read the guide →In pictures
Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Photo Gallery
Quick answers
Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Frequently Asked Questions
The temple opens in the early hours — around 2:30–3:00 AM for rituals, with Mangala Aarti at about 3:00 AM — and closes around 11:00 PM after the Shayan Aarti. General darshan is available through most of the day. Exact timings change with the season and on festival days, so confirm on the official portal.
Timings, rules and fees at temples and ghats can change with the season and on festival days. Details on this page were last checked in September 2026 — please confirm on the day, especially for aarti and darshan times.
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