Kashi Vishwanath Temple — Aarti & Darshan Timings, Tickets & Guide
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi — one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva — is open daily from about 2:30 AM to 11:00 PM. General darshan is free; Sugam (skip-the-line) Darshan costs ~₹300 and aarti tickets ₹180–₹500 via the official portal. Five aartis are performed daily, starting with the Mangala Aarti at 3:00 AM. Reach via Godowlia, and book Sugam Darshan in advance to avoid long queues — especially during Sawan and Mahashivratri.
- Timings
- Daily ~2:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Deity
- Lord Shiva · 12th Jyotirlinga
- Darshan
- Free · Sugam ~₹300
- Location
- Vishwanath Dham, Varanasi
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham
Varanasi · 12th Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva
4.9 / 5 · Darshan Help
Sugam · Aarti · Rudrabhishek
- Timings
- Daily ~2:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Deity
- Lord Shiva — 12th Jyotirlinga
- Entry
- Free · Sugam Darshan ~₹300
- Aartis
- 5 daily (from 3 AM Mangala)
- Location
- Vishwanath Dham, Godowlia, Varanasi
- Note
- Phones / cameras not allowed inside
Kashi Vishwanath Aarti & Darshan Timings (2026)
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple opens around 2:30 AM with the Mangala Aarti and stays open for darshan until about 11:00 PM. Five aartis are performed through the day. Timings shift during Sawan, Mahashivratri and festivals — always reach early and consider Sugam Darshan to skip the long general queue.
Temple Opens
Mangala Aarti begins
General Darshan
Free jhanki darshan through the day
Temple Closes
After the Shayan Aarti
Mangala Aarti
Ticket ~₹500 · limited
Bhog / Midday Aarti
Afternoon offering
Sapt Rishi (Sandhya) Aarti
Ticket ~₹300 · most popular
Shringar / Bhog Aarti
Evening adornment
Shayan Aarti
Temple closes after
Tip: during Sawan (Jul–Aug), Mahashivratri and festivals, darshan can run almost 24 hours with very long queues. WhatsApp us for the exact aarti schedule and Sugam Darshan slots on your travel date.
Best Time to Visit Kashi Vishwanath — Month-by-Month (2026)
Kashi Vishwanath welcomes darshan year-round, but weather and crowds change a lot through the year. Winter (October–March) is most comfortable, while Sawan (Jul–Aug) and Mahashivratri are spiritually electric but extremely crowded.
Crowds peak on Sawan Mondays, Mahashivratri, Makar Sankranti and Dev Deepawali. Book Sugam Darshan and plan early.
The History & Significance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple
What Is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple enshrines one of the 12 Jyotirlingas — the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva — on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi (Kashi). Known as the Vishweshwara or “Lord of the Universe,” the temple is the spiritual heart of the world's oldest living city and one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism.
An Ancient & Resilient Shrine
The temple's history spans millennia and includes repeated destruction and rebuilding. The present temple was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, and its towers were later plated with gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab — giving it the famous golden spire (shikhara) that crowns the shrine today.
The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (Dham)
In December 2021, the grand Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor was inaugurated, connecting the ancient temple directly to the Ganga at Lalita Ghat through a spacious complex. It transformed the once-cramped approach into a magnificent campus with darshan halls, facilities and a clear path from the river to the Jyotirlinga.
Why Kashi Vishwanath Matters
Hindus believe that a darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, combined with a holy dip in the Ganga, bestows liberation (moksha). Kashi is said to be held on Lord Shiva's trident, beyond the cycle of creation, and the temple — alongside the Ganga and the guardian Kaal Bhairav — forms the sacred core of a Varanasi pilgrimage.
Festivals at Kashi Vishwanath
The temple comes alive during Mahashivratri, the holy month of Sawan (Shravan) when lakhs of kanwariyas offer Ganga water, and Dev Deepawali, when the ghats and the Dham glow with countless lamps. These are the most spectacular — and most crowded — times to visit.
Did you know? The temple's spire and dome are covered with nearly 800 kg of gold, and the adjacent Gyanvapi well and Nandi statue are revered parts of the ancient complex.
How to Get Kashi Vishwanath Darshan — Step by Step
Darshan at Kashi Vishwanath follows a clear sequence, made much smoother by the new Dham corridor. Knowing the steps — and choosing the right darshan type — saves hours in queue, especially on busy days. Here is exactly how it works.
- 1
Deposit Your Belongings
Phones, cameras, leather items and large bags are not allowed inside. Deposit them at the free lockers / cloakrooms at the Dham gates before entering.
- 2
Choose Your Darshan Type
Decide between free general darshan, Sugam (skip-the-line) Darshan, Sparsh Darshan (touch the lingam) or an aarti ticket — booked online or arranged through us in advance.
- 3
Security Check & Entry
Pass through the security check and enter via one of the four Dham gates (Gate 4 / Godowlia is the main entrance). Dress modestly for the temple.
- 4
Join the Queue or Sugam Lane
General darshan uses the main queue; Sugam Darshan ticket holders use a faster dedicated lane — a big time-saver on crowded days.
- 5
Darshan of the Jyotirlinga
Have darshan of the Shiva Jyotirlinga in the sanctum. With Sparsh Darshan you may touch the lingam and offer Ganga water and bel patra.
- 6
Abhishek / Offerings
If you have booked a Rudrabhishek or puja, the temple priests perform it at the allotted time. Otherwise, make your offering and prayers.
- 7
Exit via the Dham to the Ganga
Walk out through the corridor towards Lalita Ghat for a Ganga darshan, then continue to the nearby Annapurna and Kaal Bhairav temples.
Best Time to Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple
You can have darshan any day of the year, but the season, time of day and festival calendar change the weather, the queue and the atmosphere significantly. Here is when to plan your visit.
Best Season — October to March
Winter brings cool, comfortable weather for the walk through the old-city galis and the Dham. Avoid the peak summer heat (April–June) and the heavy monsoon crowds of Sawan unless you specifically want the festival fervour.
Best Time of Day — Early Morning
Arrive for the Mangala Aarti (3 AM) or right at opening for the most serene darshan and the shortest queues. Late evening after the Sapt Rishi Aarti is also relatively calm.
Most Spectacular — Sawan & Mahashivratri
Sawan Mondays and Mahashivratri see lakhs of devotees and an electric atmosphere, while Dev Deepawali lights up the Dham and ghats. Unforgettable — but book Sugam Darshan and stay well in advance.
What's Inside the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham
The 2021 corridor turned the temple into a spacious campus connecting the Ganga to the Jyotirlinga. Here are the key shrines and spots within and around the Dham to see during your visit.
Main Temple — Shiva Jyotirlinga
Top PickThe Sanctum
The golden-spired sanctum housing the sacred Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga — the spiritual focus of every darshan. Offer Ganga water and bel patra to Lord Shiva here.
Gyanvapi & Nandi
Ancient Complex
The revered Gyanvapi well and the large stone Nandi (Shiva's bull) stand within the historic complex, deeply tied to the temple's legends.
Annapurna Devi Temple
Goddess of Nourishment
Adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath, the Annapurna temple honours the goddess of food and nourishment — an essential paired darshan.
The Dham Corridor & Ganga Ghat
River Connection
The spacious corridor links the temple to Lalita Ghat on the Ganga, with darshan halls, a mandir chowk and views of the river — walk down for a Ganga darshan.
Darshan, Aarti & Seva You Can Book
Beyond free darshan, several managed darshan and seva options let you have a calmer, more meaningful visit. We help arrange any of these in advance.
Sugam (Skip-the-Line) Darshan
A ~₹300 ticket for a faster dedicated lane to the Jyotirlinga — the single best way to avoid long general queues on busy days.
Aarti Participation
Reserved seating to attend the Mangala Aarti (3 AM) or the popular Sapt Rishi (Sandhya) Aarti at 7 PM — a profound, front-row experience.
Sparsh Darshan
Early-morning darshan that allows you to touch the Jyotirlinga and offer Ganga water yourself — arranged for specific time slots.
Rudrabhishek & Special Puja
Book a Rudrabhishek or sankalp puja performed by temple priests in your name — a deeply auspicious offering to Lord Shiva.
Kashi Vishwanath Darshan & Aarti Ticket Price (2026)
General darshan at Kashi Vishwanath is free. Optional tickets — for skip-the-line Sugam Darshan, aarti participation and special pujas — are set by the temple trust and bookable on the official portal or through us. Here are realistic 2026 ranges.
Tickets can be booked on the official shrikashivishwanath.gov.in portal, or let us arrange Sugam / aarti / puja slots and guide you through the Dham hassle-free.
Prices are indicative, set by the temple trust, and vary by aarti and season.
Kashi Vishwanath Darshan — Reviews from Our Guests
2,563 verified reviews
We took the Sugam Darshan tickets arranged by Ayodhya Varanasi Guides and skipped a 3-hour queue. The guide walked us through the entire Dham, from the Ganga ghat to the Jyotirlinga. Smooth, transparent and deeply moving — highly recommended.
Mahesh Agarwal
Indore
Attended the Sapt Rishi Aarti with reserved seating they booked for us. Being so close to the evening aarti was unforgettable. They also guided dress code and locker rules so there was no confusion at the gate.
Sridevi Rao
Hyderabad
Booked a Rudrabhishek for my parents. Everything from the puja samagri to the priest and timing was handled. The new corridor is grand and the team made darshan completely stress-free for senior citizens.
Harpreet Singh
Amritsar
Visited in peak season and was dreading the crowd, but the Sugam Darshan and a knowledgeable local guide made it easy. Combined it with Annapurna and Kaal Bhairav darshan the same morning.
Neha Kulkarni
Mumbai
Excellent end-to-end help for our Kashi Vishwanath visit during Dev Deepawali. Fixed pricing, no touts, and they timed everything perfectly with the Ganga Aarti. Will use them again for the whole circuit.
Ramakrishnan
Chennai
A Perfect Kashi Vishwanath Darshan Day
Pair your Kashi Vishwanath darshan with a Ganga snan and the other sacred sites of Kashi. Here is a simple, time-tested plan our guests love — easily customised to your pace.
Mangala Aarti (optional). For the devout, attend the early-morning Mangala Aarti — the most serene and powerful start to the day (ticket required).
Ganga snan. Take a holy dip at the ghats and a sunrise boat ride, then walk up through the Dham corridor from Lalita Ghat.
Kashi Vishwanath darshan. Have darshan of the Jyotirlinga via Sugam Darshan to skip the queue, and offer Ganga water and bel patra.
Annapurna & Kaal Bhairav. Visit the adjacent Annapurna Devi temple and the guardian deity Kaal Bhairav nearby.
Old-city walk & breakfast. Explore the galis around the Dham and enjoy a traditional Banarasi breakfast (kachori-sabzi, jalebi).
Ganga Aarti. End the day with the grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a short walk away.
How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath sits deep in Varanasi's old city beside the Ganga. Vehicles cannot reach the temple directly — they stop at Godowlia Crossing, from where it is a short walk to the Dham gates (Gate 4 is the main entrance). Here is how to get there.
By Air
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (Babatpur) is ~25 km away, with flights from across India. Take a taxi towards Godowlia / Vishwanath Dham (45–60 min).
By Train
Varanasi Junction (Cantt) is ~5 km and Banaras (Manduadih) ~8 km from the temple. Hire an auto or e-rickshaw to Godowlia.
By Road / Taxi
Varanasi is well connected via NH-19 from Prayagraj (~120 km) and Ayodhya (~200 km). A private AC cab is the most comfortable option.
The Last Mile
From Godowlia Crossing it is a 5–10 minute walk through the lanes (or via the Ganga ghats and Dham corridor) to the temple gates.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple Location — Varanasi
The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham is in the heart of Varanasi's old city, beside the Ganga and a short walk from Dashashwamedh Ghat. Vehicles stop at Godowlia Crossing. Use the map below to navigate.
Varanasi
- Area: Vishwanath Dham, near Godowlia
- PIN: Varanasi 221001
- From Cantt station: ~5 km
- From airport: ~25 km
- Main entrance: Gate 4 (Godowlia side)
Where to Stay Near Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Staying close to the Dham makes early-morning darshan effortless. Here are the best areas to stay, from old-city guesthouses steps from the temple to comfortable hotels near the station — our team can recommend and book the right option for your budget.
Vishwanath Dham & Godowlia
Guesthouses and dharamshalas within walking distance of the temple gates — ideal for the Mangala Aarti and beating the queues. Lanes are narrow and vehicle-free.
On the Ghats (Ganga-view)
Heritage stays along the riverfront ghats, a short walk to the Dham via the corridor, with Ganga and aarti views.
Cantt & Sigra
Branded mid-range and luxury hotels near Varanasi Cantt station, ~5 km away — more comfort and parking, with an easy auto/taxi ride to Godowlia.
Places to Visit Near Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath pairs perfectly with the rest of Varanasi's sacred sites. Here are the top attractions nearby to combine into your itinerary — most are within a short walk or boat ride.
Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
The grand evening lamp ceremony on the Ganga, a 5-minute walk from the Dham — best viewed from a boat.
Annapurna Devi Temple
The goddess of nourishment, right beside Kashi Vishwanath — an essential paired darshan.
Kaal Bhairav Temple
The fierce guardian (kotwal) of Kashi — tradition says his darshan completes a Kashi pilgrimage.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman
The beloved Hanuman temple founded by Tulsidas — peaceful and deeply revered.
Sarnath
Where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, ~10 km away — the Dhamek Stupa and museum make a serene half-day trip.
Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj
Extend your Kashi visit to the sacred confluence at Prayagraj on the Ayodhya–Prayagraj–Varanasi circuit.
Sawan & Mahashivratri at Kashi Vishwanath
The holy month of Sawan (Shravan, Jul–Aug) is the most fervent time at Kashi Vishwanath, when lakhs of kanwariyas carry Ganga water to offer to Lord Shiva, especially on Sawan Mondays. Mahashivratri (Feb/Mar) sees the temple open almost around the clock for non-stop darshan.
These are the most spiritually powerful — and most crowded — times to visit, with darshan queues stretching for hours. We arrange Sugam Darshan, aarti seating and local guidance so you can experience the fervour without the chaos. Dev Deepawali (Nov) also lights up the Dham and ghats spectacularly.
Things to Know Before Visiting Kashi Vishwanath
A little preparation makes your Kashi Vishwanath darshan smooth and stress-free. Keep these practical, locally-verified tips in mind.
No phones or cameras inside
Mobiles, cameras, leather items and large bags are not allowed in the sanctum. Use the free lockers / cloakrooms at the Dham gates.
Book Sugam Darshan to skip queues
On busy days the general queue can take 2–4 hours. A ~₹300 Sugam Darshan ticket uses a faster dedicated lane.
Reach early in the morning
Darshan is most peaceful right after opening and around the Mangala Aarti, before the day's crowds build up.
Dress modestly
Traditional, modest clothing is appreciated for the temple. Wear easy-to-remove footwear as you'll walk the galis and leave shoes outside.
Carry a valid photo ID
ID may be needed for VIP / protocol darshan and some aarti bookings. Keep a copy handy.
Sawan & Mahashivratri are very crowded
Expect huge queues and altered timings during Sawan Mondays, Mahashivratri and Dev Deepawali — plan and book well ahead.
Use authorised shops for offerings
Buy prasad, flowers and bel patra from authorised counters, and agree puja/priest charges in advance to avoid overcharging.
Enter via the right gate
The Dham has four gates; Gate 4 (Godowlia side) is the main entrance, and Lalita Ghat connects from the Ganga.
Combine with Ganga & nearby temples
Pair darshan with a Ganga snan, Annapurna and Kaal Bhairav, and the evening Ganga Aarti for a complete Kashi experience.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple — Frequently Asked Questions
The questions travellers most often ask about Kashi Vishwanath — timings, aarti, darshan tickets, booking and tips.
The temple opens around 2:30 AM with the Mangala Aarti and remains open for darshan until about 11:00 PM, closing after the Shayan Aarti. General darshan runs through the day from roughly 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Timings can change during Sawan, Mahashivratri and festivals.
Still have a question?
Our local team replies within 30 minutes.
Written & verified by the local Varanasi guide team at Ayodhya Varanasi Guides
Our government-certified Kashi guides assist pilgrims with Kashi Vishwanath darshan — Sugam, Sparsh, aarti seating and Rudrabhishek — every day. This guide is based on first-hand, on-ground experience and is reviewed regularly. Last updated: June 2026. Timings and ticket prices are set by the temple trust and may change — message us for the latest on your travel date.
Get hassle-free darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Dham
Skip the long queues and the touts. Let Ayodhya Varanasi Guides arrange your Sugam / VIP Darshan, aarti seating or Rudrabhishek, and guide you through the Dham — combined with the Ganga Aarti and nearby temples. We confirm everything in writing before your visit.