At a glance
- Deity: Lord Shiva as Vishwanath (Vishweshwara), "Lord of the Universe" (Lord Shiva), one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
- Location: Vishwanath Gali, near Dashashwamedh and Lalita Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- Managed by: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, under the Uttar Pradesh government.
- Opens: 2:30 am; closes 11 pm (official schedule below).
- Official website: shrikashivishwanath.org, for tickets, live darshan and notices.
Why Kashi matters
Kashi (Varanasi, Banaras) is said in the Puranas to rest on Shiva's trident and to survive even the dissolution of the world. It is counted among the seven Sapta Puri that grant liberation, and the belief that Shiva himself whispers the Taraka mantra into the ear of anyone who dies here has drawn the dying and the devout to its ghats for centuries. At its heart is the Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, which pilgrims see as the presiding king of the city, with Kaal Bhairav as its guardian (kotwal).
History of the temple
The shrine has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The present temple was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, and in 1835 Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab gave about a tonne of gold to plate its spire and dome, which is why it is often called the Golden Temple of Varanasi. In December 2021 the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor was opened, clearing the dense lanes around the temple and linking it directly to the Ganga at Lalita and Manikarnika ghats, with wide courtyards, a museum and facilities for pilgrims.
Aarti and darshan timings
According to the temple trust's official schedule:
| Ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Temple opens | 2:30 am |
| Mangala Aarti (ticket holders may attend) | 3:00 – 4:00 am |
| General darshan | 4:00 – 11:00 am |
| Midday Bhog Aarti | 11:30 am – 12:00 noon |
| General darshan | 12:00 noon – 7:00 pm |
| Sapta Rishi Aarti | 7:00 – 8:30 pm |
| Darshan | until 9:00 pm |
| Shringar / Bhog Aarti | from 9:00 pm |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30 pm |
| Temple closes | 11:00 pm |
On Mahashivratri, Shravan Mondays and other festivals the schedule changes, and some aartis are suspended for crowd control. Check the official website before you go.
Darshan, tickets and aarti
- General darshan is free. Queues can stretch for hours on Mondays, in Shravan and on festival days.
- Sugam darshan (paid, faster entry) and aarti tickets are sold on the official website and app. Book only there; the trust warns against touts.
- Devotees may offer Ganga water and bel leaves. During crowded periods the trust may allow only jhanki darshan from outside the sanctum.
How to reach
- By air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Babatpur, about 25 km away.
- By train: Varanasi Junction (Cantt) and Banaras station are the closest; Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (Mughalsarai) is about 17 km away.
- Locally: vehicles stop short of the lanes near Godowlia; walk or take an e-rickshaw from there. You can also arrive by boat and walk up from the ghats through the corridor.
What to carry and what to leave behind
Security is tight. Mobile phones, cameras, electronic devices and bags are not allowed past the checkpoints; use the lockers near the gates. Remove footwear before entering. Modest traditional clothing is recommended.
Places to visit nearby
- Kaal Bhairav temple: by tradition, pilgrims seek the kotwal's permission before or after Vishwanath darshan.
- Annapurna temple: beside Vishwanath, the goddess who feeds Kashi (see the Annapurna Stotram).
- Dashashwamedh Ghat: the evening Ganga aarti.
- Manikarnika Ghat, the ancient cremation ghat, and Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple.
Festivals
Mahashivratri brings an all-night vigil and the biggest crowds of the year. In Shravan, kanwariyas arrive with Ganga water every Monday. Rangbhari Ekadashi, before Holi, celebrates Shiva bringing Parvati home with gulal; Dev Deepawali on Kartik Purnima lights every ghat with lamps.
Practical tips
- Go early in the morning, after the Mangala Aarti crowd, or in the early afternoon on a weekday.
- Carry only cash, ID and offerings; deposit everything else before the queue.
- Combine darshan with a boat ride on the Ganga at dawn and the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh.
- Before your visit, read the Shiva Chalisa or the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Kashi Vishwanath temple timings?
The temple opens at 2:30 am and closes at 11 pm. General darshan runs from 4 to 11 am and from noon to 9 pm, with breaks for the aartis listed above.
Is a ticket needed for darshan?
No, general darshan is free. Paid tickets are only for Sugam (faster) darshan and for attending the aartis, booked on the official website.
Can I take my phone inside?
No. Phones, cameras and bags must be deposited in the lockers before security.
Who built the present temple?
Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, in 1780. Maharaja Ranjit Singh later gave gold to plate its spire.
What is the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor?
A redevelopment opened in December 2021 that links the temple directly to the Ganga ghats with open courtyards and pilgrim facilities.
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