Kashi Vishwanath Temple — the most renowned of the twelve Jyotirlingas and one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva in Hinduism. Located on the sacred banks of the river Ganga in Varanasi (Kashi), Uttar Pradesh, this temple is dedicated to "Vishwanath" — the Lord of the Universe. Kashi is believed to be the eternal beloved city of Lord Shiva Himself, a city He is said to never abandon.
It is a deep belief that anyone who attains death in Kashi is granted moksha (liberation) — for Lord Shiva Himself whispers the sacred Tarak Mantra in their ear at the moment of departure. The temple's golden spire shines brilliantly in the sunlight, visible from afar, filling every devotee's heart with profound devotion and serenity. After the magnificent Kashi Vishwanath Corridor was inaugurated in 2021, this sacred site has become even grander and more accessible for pilgrims.
Quick Information
- Main Deity: Lord Shiva (Vishwanath)
- Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- River: Ganga (near Dashashwamedh Ghat)
- Golden Spire: 800 kg pure gold
- Category: One of the 12 Jyotirlingas
- Best Time to Visit: October–March
Darshan Timings
Sugam Darshan
A convenient way to bypass the general queue and have a direct, swift darshan of Lord Vishwanath. This facility is available throughout the day inside the temple complex. Online and offline bookings are accepted.
| Darshan | Timing | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Sugam Darshan | 06:00 AM – 06:00 PM | ₹ 250 |
Aarti Timings & Booking Fees
Five major aartis are performed daily at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple — each carries its own divine significance and a separate booking fee. Seats are limited, so advance booking is essential.
| Aarti | Timing | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti (Normal Days only) |
03:00 AM – 04:00 AM | ₹ 500 |
| Bhog / Midday Aarti | 11:15 AM – 12:20 PM | ₹ 300 |
| Saptarishi Aarti | 07:00 PM – 08:15 PM | ₹ 300 |
| Shringar / Night Bhog Aarti | 09:00 PM – 10:15 PM | ₹ 300 |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30 PM – 11:00 PM | Free |
History of the Temple
The history of Kashi Vishwanath spans thousands of years — a remarkable story of devotion, destruction, and divine resurrection. Despite being attacked by invaders multiple times, the temple has been reborn again and again through the unshakable faith of its devotees.
According to the Skanda Purana and Shiva Purana, Kashi was established by Lord Shiva Himself. Since time immemorial, this city has been the center of knowledge, spirituality, and moksha (liberation), where Lord Shiva resides as "Vishwanath" — the Lord of the Universe.
Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the commander of Mohammad of Ghor, carried out the first major attack on the temple, damaging it considerably. However, devotees soon restored and rebuilt the shrine.
Raja Todarmal, the finance minister of Akbar, along with Pandit Narayan Bhatt, oversaw a grand reconstruction of the temple. This period is often referred to as the Golden Era of Kashi Vishwanath.
The Mughal ruler Aurangzeb demolished the temple and built the Gyanvapi Mosque in its place. The devotees, however, managed to save the original Shivling by hiding it in a nearby well to preserve its sanctity.
Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore commissioned the construction of the present-day temple. She rebuilt the shrine right next to the Gyanvapi Mosque — this very temple still stands as the main Kashi Vishwanath today.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire donated 1000 kilograms of pure gold to gild the temple's spire — earning the temple the title "Golden Temple of Kashi" that endures to this day.
The Historic Inauguration of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor! Spread across 5 lakh square feet, this magnificent corridor connects the temple directly to the Ganga ghats. Today, millions of devotees can experience Sugam Darshan with ease, free from earlier crowding and difficulty.
How to Reach
Varanasi is one of the best-connected pilgrimage destinations in India. Excellent connectivity is available by air, rail, and road.
Temple Location
The exact location of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi — zoom in on the interactive map below or open it in Google Maps for navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The temple is open from 03:00 AM (Mangala Aarti) to 11:00 PM (Shayan Aarti). General darshan runs from 04:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM to 09:00 PM. The temple closes briefly during each aarti.
Mangala Aarti ₹500, Bhog Aarti ₹300, Saptarishi Aarti ₹300, Shringar Aarti ₹300, and Shayan Aarti is Free. Advance booking through shrikashivishwanath.org is required, as seats are limited.
Sugam Darshan is a special facility that allows you to skip the general queue and have a swift darshan by paying ₹250. This facility is available from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM. Bookings can be made through the official website or at counters within the temple complex.
No, mobile phones, cameras, purses, and leather items (belts, wallets) are strictly prohibited inside the sanctum. Free locker and cloak room facilities are available outside the temple where you can safely deposit your belongings.
October to March is the best time — pleasant weather with smaller crowds. Mahashivratri, Shravan month, and Dev Deepawali feature special grandeur but draw massive crowds. The early morning Mangala Aarti experience is truly divine.
Yes, since the inauguration of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor on 13 December 2021, darshan has become much smoother. Spread across 5 lakh square feet, this corridor directly connects the temple to the Ganga ghats. Millions of devotees can now have darshan comfortably.
Yes, this is an ancient belief of Sanatan Dharma. According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva Himself whispers the sacred "Tarak Mantra" into the ear of anyone who leaves their body in Kashi — granting the soul direct moksha (liberation). This is why elderly devotees often wish to spend their final days in Kashi.
For aarti participation, traditional Indian attire is mandatory — dhoti-kurta for men and sarees for women. For general darshan, modest and clean clothing is sufficient. Please avoid wearing very short clothes inside the temple complex.
Varanasi has many sacred sites — Dashashwamedh Ghat (Ganga Aarti), Manikarnika Ghat, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, BHU Vishwanath Temple (New Vishwanath), Sarnath, and Kaal Bhairav Temple. All are nearby and can be visited within 2-3 days.
Yes, prasad offered to Lord Vishwanath is distributed at the temple — mainly bel patra (bilva leaves), Ganga jal (sacred water), dry fruits, and sweets. You can also bring your own offerings (bilva leaves, flowers, dhatura). Special prasad packets are also sold within the temple complex.
Varanasi offers a wide range from budget guest houses to 5-star hotels. Many dharamshalas and guest houses are available near Dashashwamedh Ghat and Kashi Vishwanath. Advance booking is essential during Mahashivratri and Dev Deepawali. Online booking is available on OYO, MakeMyTrip, and Booking.com.
The world-famous Ganga Aarti takes place at Dashashwamedh Ghat every evening at 6:45 PM (7:00 PM in summer). It is just 10 minutes from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Watching the aarti from a boat on the Ganga is a divine experience. A morning "Mangala Ganga Aarti" is also performed at 5:00 AM.
Official Website
For aarti booking, Sugam Darshan passes, and live updates, please visit the official Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham website.
shrikashivishwanath.org