Darshan Done Right: A Devotee’s Guide to Kashi Vishwanath Temple

To ensure a spiritually enriching and seamless experience during your visit to the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, it’s essential to be well-informed about the temple’s rituals, timings, entry procedures, and available facilities.Here’s a comprehensive guide based on the official information provided by the temple authorities:

Temple Basics

• Full Name & Significance: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is not just the spiritual heart of Varanasi but also one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in Hinduism. It is believed that a darshan here grants moksha (liberation).
• Deity Worshipped: Lord Vishwanath, or Vishveshwara—the “Lord of the Universe”—is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlinga.
• Temple Timings:
  • Mangala Aarti: 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM (requires special pass)
  • General Darshan: 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free for general darshan. Special passes available online or at temple counters for faster access or Aarti participation.

Darshan & Rituals

• Types of Darshan:
  • General Darshan: Entry via public queue, can take 30 mins to 2 hours depending on the crowd.
  • Sugam Darshan: Paid entry (₹300–₹500 approx), faster access.
  • Mangala, Bhog, Sandhya, and Shringar Aartis: Require advance booking.
• Best Time for Darshan: Early morning (before 7:00 AM) or late evening (after 9:30 PM) for a less crowded experience.
• Online Booking: Available at www.shrikashivishwanath.org
• Dress Code: Modest Indian attire recommended. Men often wear dhoti/kurta; women in saree/salwar suit are common. Avoid shorts or western casuals for aarti.

Temple Timings & Aarti Schedule

No cancellation or date change is allowed after booking.

Each Aarti is spiritually enriching and deeply symbolic. Participating in them fosters connection with Kashi’s divine rhythm and traditions.

Darshan Options

• Free Darshan: Available to all during darshan hours
• Sugam Darshan (₹300):
  • No queue waiting
  • Shastri guides you near the sanctum
  • Includes prasad box & free locker
  • Book online or at Helpdesk near Gate 4

Rudrabhishek (Online Bookable)

• Timings: 4:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Types: 1, 5, 11 Shastri Rudrabhishek, Laghu Rudra, Maha Rudra
• Samagri: Buy milk and items at temple premises
• Booking: From official website
• Dress: No strict dress code, but decent/traditional attire recommended
• Prohibited:
  • Phones, electronics, pens, bags
  • All gadgets to be deposited in cloakrooms

Cloakroom & Locker Facilities

Free cloakrooms available at:

• Mandir Chowk
• YSK-1, YSK-2, YSK-3
• Gate No. 4 Helpdesk

Entry Gates & Navigation

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex has multiple designated gates to streamline access for various categories of devotees:

• Gate No. 1 (Ganga Dwar):
  • Previously referred to as Gate No. 3.
  • Located near Lalita Ghat, this is the primary corridor entry for devotees coming from the Ganga side.
  • Entry allowed between 6 AM and 9 PM
• Gate No. 2 (Neelkanth Gate):
  • Designated entry gate for foreign nationals.
  • Located near Vishalakshi Temple, accessible via a developing heritage pathway.
• Gate No. 3 (Annapurna Side Entry):
  • Previously referred to as Gate No. 1.
  • Entry point for pilgrims approaching from Godowlia–Dashashwamedh Road, near Annapurna Temple.
• Gate No. 4 (Main Gate/Gyanvapi Side):
  • Main entry for general darshan.
  • Closest to the 24×7 Helpdesk and preferred for general visitors
  • Located near Gyanvapi Mosque, Bansphatak.
  • Approximately 500 meters from Godowlia Chowk; accessible only by foot or cycle/rickshaw.

Kashi Dwar:

• Reserved exclusively for residents of Varanasi.
• Located adjacent to Gate No. 4, requires local ID proof for entry.

Parking Tip: Vehicles not allowed near temple. Use multi-level parking at Godowlia or Maidagin.

Special Days & Crowd Advisory

• High Crowd Days:
  • Mondays (especially in Shravan month)
  • Maha Shivratri
  • Dev Deepawali
  • Kartik Purnima
• Plan darshan early morning or post 9:30 PM on such days.
• Temple Announcements: Follow official temple website or Twitter for updates.

Reaching the Temple

• By Road: The temple is accessible via Godowlia Chowk; vehicles are restricted beyond a certain point.
• By Boat: Devotees can reach the temple via the Ganga River, disembarking at Lalita Ghat and entering through Gate No. 1.
• Parking: Available at designated areas; it’s advisable to use public transport or walk to the temple due to traffic restrictions.

Optional Add-Ons

• Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: Explore the grand new corridor linking the temple to Lalita and Manikarnika Ghats.
• Nearby Temples: Visit Annapurna Devi Temple, Kal Bhairav Temple, and Vishalakshi Temple—all spiritually linked.
• Ganga Aarti: Don’t miss the evening Aarti at nearby Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Offline Ticketing & Pass Counters

For those not booking online, offline ticketing counters are available:

• Location 1: Near Gyanvapi Gate (adjacent to Gate No. 4)
  • For Aarti Passes (Mangala, Bhog, Sandhya, Shringar).
  • Open from 2:30 AM onwards for Mangala Aarti.
• Location 2: At the Corridor Entry Point near Lalita Ghat (Gate No.1)
  • For Sugam Darshan Passes, priority access, and donations.
• ID Proof Required: Carry original Aadhar card or any government-issued photo ID for ticket/pass purchase.