ISKCON Temple, Varanasi — Timings, Aarti & Visitor Guide
The ISKCON Temple in Varanasi is dedicated to Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari and stands on Durgakund Road, close to Durga Kund and Sankat Mochan. It is open 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with Mangala Aarti at about 4:30 AM and the evening aarti in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of chanting and kirtan. Entry is free, prasadam is served, and the temple is calm, clean and welcoming — a complete contrast to the intensity of the ghats, and a favourite with families and first-time visitors to Kashi.
- Timings
- 4:30 AM–1 PM & 4 PM–8:30 PM
- Deities
- Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari
- Entry
- Free · prasadam available
- Location
- Durgakund Road, near Durga Kund
ISKCON Temple
Varanasi · Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari
4.9 / 5 · Kashi Darshan Help
Temples · Ghats · Aarti
- Timings
- 4:30 AM–1:00 PM & 4:00 PM–8:30 PM
- Deities
- Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari
- Tradition
- Gaudiya Vaishnava · Hare Krishna movement
- Known For
- Kirtan, prasadam & a peaceful atmosphere
- Entry
- Free · no ticket required
- Address
- Durgakund Road, near Durga Kund, Varanasi 221010
What Are the ISKCON Temple Varanasi Timings?
ISKCON temples follow a fixed daily schedule, and Varanasi is no exception. The temple is open 4:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM, closing in the afternoon while the deities rest. The day begins with Mangala Aarti at around 4:30 AM — the most atmospheric hour of all — and the altar doors open and close around each offering through the day.
Morning Session
Begins with Mangala Aarti
Afternoon Break
Temple closed; deities rest
Evening Session
Sandhya aarti and kirtan
Mangala Aarti
The first and most beautiful aarti
Darshan / Shringar Aarti
The deities in full dress
Sandhya Aarti
Evening kirtan and chanting
Bhagavad Gita Class
Open to visitors; timings vary
Tip: the altar doors close briefly around each offering, so you may arrive mid-session and find them shut for a few minutes — simply wait, they reopen. Aarti timings shift slightly on festival days; WhatsApp us and we will confirm the schedule for your date.
When Is the Best Month to Visit ISKCON Varanasi? (2026)
The temple is indoors, calm and comfortable year-round, so the Vaishnava festival calendar matters more here than the weather. Janmashtami and the month of Kartik are the high points of the year.
Janmashtami is by far the busiest day. The month of Kartik (October–November) brings daily deepdaan and is a beautiful time to attend the evening programme.
What Is the ISKCON Temple in Varanasi?
Who Are the Deities Here?
The presiding deities are Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari — Radha and Krishna, worshipped in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. The altar is the focus of the entire daily programme, with the deities dressed, offered food and honoured through a fixed cycle of aartis from before dawn until the evening.
What Is ISKCON?
ISKCON — the International Society for Krishna Consciousness — was founded in New York in 1966 by Srila Prabhupada, who carried the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Bengal and Vrindavan to the world. Its temples share a recognisable pattern: the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, daily kirtan, the study of the Bhagavad Gita, and prasadam offered freely to all who come.
Why Is There an ISKCON Temple in Shiva’s City?
Kashi is Shiva’s city, and visitors sometimes ask what a Krishna temple is doing here. The answer is that Varanasi has never belonged to one tradition alone — it holds Vaishnava, Shakta, Buddhist, Jain and Tantric currents alongside its Shaiva heart. The ISKCON temple adds a living Gaudiya Vaishnava presence to a city that has always made room for more than one path.
What Makes It Different From Varanasi’s Other Temples?
Almost everything about the experience. The ancient temples of Kashi are dense, intense and hemmed in by lanes. ISKCON is spacious, clean, calm and unhurried, with room to sit, marble underfoot and no queue to fight. For many visitors — particularly families with small children, elderly travellers and first-timers overwhelmed by the old city — it is the most restful hour of their Varanasi trip.
What Is the Daily Programme?
The day runs to a rhythm: Mangala Aarti before dawn, the dressing of the deities, the morning darshan aarti, a class on the Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam, kirtan, the afternoon rest, and the evening aarti with chanting. Visitors are welcome at every part of it — you do not need to belong to anything to sit down and take part.
What Is Prasadam and Can Anyone Take It?
Prasadam is vegetarian food first offered to the deities and then distributed. It is central to how ISKCON temples work, and it is offered to everyone regardless of background. Ask at the temple about the day’s prasadam distribution — on festival days a full meal is usually served.
Did you know? The ISKCON temple sits within a few minutes of Durga Kund, Sankat Mochan and Tulsi Manas Mandir — four very different temples in one small quarter, which makes this the easiest and most varied temple walk in Varanasi.
What Happens When You Visit ISKCON Varanasi?
There is no queue system and nothing you are required to do. This is simply how a visit tends to go.
- 1
Arrive on Durgakund Road
The temple is on Durgakund Road near Durga Kund, easily reached by auto or e-rickshaw from anywhere in Varanasi.
- 2
Leave Footwear at the Stand
Shoe racks are provided at the entrance. The temple is kept spotlessly clean, and this matters here.
- 3
Enter the Temple Hall
You step into a wide, quiet hall — a striking change from the lanes outside. There is room to sit, and nobody will hurry you.
- 4
Have Darshan of Radha Gopal Bihari
Stand before the altar of Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari, dressed and decorated according to the day and the season.
- 5
Sit for the Aarti or Kirtan
If your timing catches an aarti, stay for it. The chanting is what most visitors remember about ISKCON temples.
- 6
Attend a Gita Class (Optional)
Daily classes on the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam are open to anyone who wants to sit in.
- 7
Take Prasadam
Ask about prasadam distribution. It is offered freely, and on festival days a full meal is usually served.
- 8
Walk On to Durga Kund & Sankat Mochan
Both are minutes away, which makes this the most efficient temple cluster in the city.
When Should You Visit ISKCON Temple Varanasi?
The temple is comfortable in any season. What changes your experience is which part of the daily programme you catch.
Best Time of Day — Mangala Aarti at 4:30 AM
The pre-dawn aarti is the most beautiful part of the ISKCON day, and it pairs perfectly with a sunrise boat ride on the Ganga afterwards. If you can manage the early start, do.
Easiest Time — Evening Programme
The 4:00 to 8:30 PM session suits most travellers, with the sandhya aarti and kirtan around 7 PM. Just avoid arriving during the 1 to 4 PM closure.
Most Special — Janmashtami & Kartik
Janmashtami, Krishna's appearance day in August, is the greatest celebration of the year. The month of Kartik (October–November) brings daily deepdaan and a beautiful evening atmosphere.
What Can You See and Do at ISKCON Varanasi?
The temple is small but the programme is rich. These are the things worth staying for.
Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari
Top PickThe Main Darshan
The presiding deities of Radha and Krishna, dressed and decorated afresh according to the day, the season and the festival calendar.
The Aarti & Kirtan
Top PickThe Heart of the Visit
The chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra with mridanga and kartals — the thing visitors remember longest about an ISKCON temple.
Prasadam
Offered to Everyone
Vegetarian food first offered to the deities and then distributed freely, regardless of who you are or where you come from.
Bhagavad Gita Classes
Open to Visitors
Daily classes on the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, which anyone is welcome to sit in on.
The Calm Temple Hall
A Break From the Old City
Clean, spacious and quiet — the easiest place in Varanasi to sit down for half an hour and simply rest.
Books & Devotional Items
The Temple Counter
Srila Prabhupada's translations of the Gita and Bhagavatam, japa malas and devotional items are available at the counter.
Why Should You Add ISKCON to a Varanasi Itinerary?
It is not an ancient temple, and that is precisely the point. Here is what it offers that the old city cannot.
Calm in the Middle of Kashi
Varanasi is glorious and exhausting in equal measure. An hour here resets you — especially useful mid-trip with children or elderly parents.
Kirtan You Can Join
Nobody watches from the sidelines at an ISKCON aarti. If you have never chanted before, this is a welcoming place to start.
Easy for First-Time Visitors
No queue, no jostling, no pressure, no confusion about what to do. For anyone finding the old city overwhelming, this is a gentle entry point.
Prasadam for Everyone
Freely offered vegetarian prasadam, and a reliable, clean vegetarian option in a city where that matters to many travellers.
Is There an Entry Fee at ISKCON Temple Varanasi? (2026)
Entry is completely free, and so is the prasadam. ISKCON temples run on donations, but nothing is required of you to visit, attend the aarti or take prasadam.
Nothing here costs anything. What we add is a Varanasi darshan plan that uses this quarter properly — ISKCON, Durga Kund, Sankat Mochan and Tulsi Manas Mandir in one easy walk, alongside Kashi Vishwanath with VIP darshan assistance and the evening Ganga Aarti. Pricing confirmed in writing.
Auto fares are indicative and vary with traffic and time of day. Agree the fare before you set off.
What Do Visitors Say About ISKCON Varanasi?
1,152 verified reviews
After two days in the old city with my parents, this was exactly what we needed. Clean, peaceful, somewhere to actually sit down. The evening kirtan was lovely and the prasadam was excellent.
Vinod Sharma
Jaipur
We went for the Mangala Aarti at 4:30 AM and then straight to the ghats for the sunrise boat ride. Best possible way to start a day in Varanasi. Our guide suggested the sequence and he was completely right.
Ananya Bose
Kolkata
As a foreign visitor I found Varanasi intense in the best and worst ways. This temple was welcoming and easy to understand, and someone patiently explained everything. Good vegetarian prasadam too.
Daniel Weber
Munich
Visited on Janmashtami. Packed, joyful, wonderful kirtan going late into the night and a full prasadam meal. Very well organised for such a crowd. A highlight of the trip.
Lakshmi Narayan
Chennai
Nice, calm temple close to Durga Kund and Sankat Mochan, so you can do all three in one go. Watch the afternoon closure — we turned up at 2:30 PM and had to come back later.
Rohit Malviya
Indore
How Do You Fit ISKCON Into a Varanasi Day?
The temple sits in the Durga Kund cluster, so it belongs with those stops. Here is the day our guests enjoy most.
Mangala Aarti at ISKCON. Begin your day with the pre-dawn aarti — the most beautiful part of the ISKCON programme.
Subah-e-Banaras & boat ride. Move to the ghats for sunrise from a boat on the Ganga.
Kashi Vishwanath darshan. Darshan of the Jyotirlinga at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham. We assist with VIP darshan to save you the queue.
Kal Bhairav & Batuk Bhairav. Bhairav darshan, which tradition says completes a Kashi yatra.
Durga Kund, Sankat Mochan & Tulsi Manas. The temple cluster around ISKCON — three very different shrines within minutes of each other.
Sarnath (optional). Where the Buddha gave his first sermon, ~10 km away.
Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Close the day with the great evening aarti on the riverfront.
Which Tour Package Covers ISKCON Temple?
ISKCON Temple is best seen as part of a planned Kashi darshan rather than a single stop — the old-city temples keep different hours and the ghats reward proper sequencing. These are the itineraries our guests book most, each with Kashi Vishwanath VIP darshan assistance, a certified local guide and transport, priced in writing before you travel.
- 1 Day1 Day Varanasi Tour PackageKashi Vishwanath darshan, a sunrise boat ride and the evening Ganga Aarti.
- 2 Days2 Days Varanasi Tour PackageKashi Vishwanath, the ghats, Sarnath and the old-city temple circuit.
- 3 Days3 Days Varanasi Tour PackageKashi at a proper pace — the Dham, the Bhairavs, the Durgakund cluster and the aarti.
- 4 Days4 Days Varanasi Tour PackageEverything in Kashi plus Sarnath, with time for the temples most itineraries skip.
- 2 Days2 Days Ayodhya Varanasi Tour PackageRam Mandir and Kashi Vishwanath across two cities, with the Ganga Aarti.
- 3 Days3 Days Ayodhya Varanasi Tour PackageThe classic pairing — Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath and the ghats.
- 3 Days3 Days Varanasi Prayagraj Tour PackageKashi and the confluence, with time for the ghats and the Sangam boat ride.
- 4 Days4 Days Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj Tour PackageAll three cities — Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath and the Triveni Sangam.
- 5 Days5 Days Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj Tour PackageThe complete sacred circuit at a comfortable, senior-friendly pace.
Want ISKCON Temple built into a custom itinerary? We plan around your dates, your pace and what you actually want to see.
See all Varanasi & Ayodhya tour packagesHow Do You Reach ISKCON Temple Varanasi?
The temple is on Durgakund Road, near Durga Kund, about 4 km from Kashi Vishwanath. Unlike the old-city temples, a vehicle can drop you right at the gate.
By Air
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Babatpur is about 30 km away, with taxis at the terminal. Allow an hour in traffic.
By Train
Varanasi Junction (Cantt) is roughly 6 km away and Banaras station about 5 km. Both are well connected to Delhi, Lucknow, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
By Road / Taxi
Durgakund Road is a main road, so taxis and autos reach the temple directly — a real advantage over the lanes of the old city.
The Last Mile
E-rickshaws run constantly along Durgakund Road. Ask for ISKCON Mandir or Durga Kund and you will be dropped at the gate.
Where Is the ISKCON Temple in Varanasi?
The ISKCON Temple stands on Durgakund Road, near Durga Kund, in the Bhelupur quarter of Varanasi. Use the map below to navigate straight to the gate.
Varanasi
- Address: B 27/80, Durgakund Road, near Durga Kund
- PIN: Varanasi 221010
- From Kashi Vishwanath: ~4 km
- From Durga Kund: ~500 m (a 5-minute walk)
- Deities: Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari
Where Should You Stay Near ISKCON Temple Varanasi?
The temple is in the Bhelupur–Durgakund quarter, one of the more comfortable parts of the city to stay in.
Durgakund & Bhelupur
Quiet residential streets with guesthouses and mid-range hotels, walking distance from ISKCON, Durga Kund and Sankat Mochan.
Assi Ghat & Ravidas Gate
The calmer end of the ghats, about 10 minutes away, popular with longer-staying visitors and good for sunrise boat rides.
Cantt & Sigra
Branded and business hotels near the railway station with parking and dining — the easiest base if you are arriving or leaving by train.
What Else Is Worth Visiting Near ISKCON Varanasi?
This quarter has the most walkable temple cluster in the city. Here is what to combine with your visit.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Jyotirlinga of Kashi, ~4 km away. We assist with VIP darshan to skip the main queue.
Kashi Vishwanath VIP Darshan
Skip-the-queue Sugam darshan assistance at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham, arranged in advance.
Ganga Aarti, Dashashwamedh Ghat
The world-famous evening aarti on the riverfront — the unmissable Varanasi experience.
Durga Kund Temple
The red 18th-century Durga temple beside its sacred tank, a five-minute walk away.
Tulsi Manas Mandir
The whole Ramcharitmanas inscribed in marble, also five minutes away on Durgakund Road.
Sankat Mochan Temple
The Hanuman temple founded by Tulsidas, ~1.5 km away. Note that phones are not allowed inside.
Tridev Temple
The temple to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh near Tulsi Manas Mandir, with shrines of Maa Sati and Khatu Shyam. A few minutes away.
How to Commute in Varanasi
Autos, e-rickshaws, boats and taxis — how to actually get around the old city without stress.
Janmashtami & Kartik Damodar Month at ISKCON Varanasi
Janmashtami — the appearance day of Lord Krishna, in August — is the greatest celebration of the ISKCON year. The temple fills from morning until past midnight with kirtan, abhishek of the deities, dramatic performances and a full prasadam feast. It is joyful, crowded and worth planning a trip around.
The month of Kartik (October–November), known as Damodar month, brings daily deepdaan — the offering of lamps — and is perhaps the most beautiful season at any ISKCON temple. Radhashtami, Gaura Purnima, Jhulan Yatra and Gita Jayanti are the other major days in the calendar here.
What Should You Know Before Visiting ISKCON Varanasi?
An easy temple to visit — but a few details will help you catch it at its best.
Mind the afternoon closure
The temple shuts from about 1:00 to 4:00 PM while the deities rest. Arriving at 2 PM is the most common mistake visitors make here.
The altar doors close briefly during the day
They shut around each offering and reopen a few minutes later. If you arrive and find them closed, simply wait rather than leaving.
Mangala Aarti is worth the 4:30 AM start
It is the most beautiful part of the daily programme, and it pairs perfectly with a sunrise boat ride on the Ganga straight afterwards.
Entry and prasadam are free
ISKCON runs on donations, but nothing is required of you. Do not feel obliged to buy anything to attend the aarti or take prasadam.
Dress modestly
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is appreciated, and footwear comes off at the entrance.
You are welcome to join the kirtan
Nobody is a spectator at an ISKCON aarti. If you have never chanted before, this is a genuinely welcoming place to try.
Ask about prasadam timings
Distribution varies by day. On festival days a full meal is usually served — worth asking at the counter when you arrive.
Combine it with the Durga Kund cluster
Durga Kund, Sankat Mochan and Tulsi Manas Mandir are all within minutes. Doing them together is the most efficient hour in Varanasi.
Photography rules vary
Photography of the altar may be restricted at certain times. Check with the temple staff rather than assuming.
Expect large crowds on Janmashtami
The temple is packed from morning until past midnight. Wonderful atmosphere, but go early and keep your group together.
ISKCON Temple Varanasi — Frequently Asked Questions
The questions visitors ask us most about ISKCON Varanasi — timings, aarti, entry, prasadam, location and how to include it in a Kashi trip.
It is the Varanasi centre of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, dedicated to Sri Sri Radha Gopal Bihari. It stands on Durgakund Road near Durga Kund and follows the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of daily aarti, kirtan, Bhagavad Gita classes and prasadam.
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Written & verified by the local Varanasi guide team at Ayodhya Varanasi Guides
Our government-certified Kashi guides bring visitors to ISKCON Varanasi throughout the year, including for the Mangala Aarti and the Janmashtami celebrations, and this guide reflects that first-hand experience. Last updated: July 2026. Aarti and prasadam timings can shift on festival days — message us and we will confirm the schedule for your travel date.
Find Calm in the Heart of Kashi at ISKCON Varanasi
Let Ayodhya Varanasi Guides plan your Kashi darshan — the Mangala Aarti at ISKCON, a sunrise boat ride on the Ganga, Kashi Vishwanath with VIP darshan assistance, the Bhairav temples and the evening Ganga Aarti — with a certified local guide and comfortable transport, confirmed in writing.