Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. As one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, it holds immense spiritual significance and attracts thousands of devotees daily. The temple, situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, has been a center of worship and learning for centuries.
The present temple structure was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. The grand Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, inaugurated in 2021, now connects the temple directly with the Ganga ghats, creating a seamless spiritual experience across 5 lakh square feet.
⏰ Complete Aarti Schedule 2025
| Aarti Name | Time | Duration | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti | 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM | 60 min | ₹500/person (Online) |
| Bhog Aarti | 11:15 AM – 12:20 PM | 65 min | Free with darshan |
| Saptarishi Aarti | 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM | 75 min | Free / ₹250 reserved |
| Shringar-Bhog Aarti | 9:00 PM – 9:30 PM | 30 min | Online booking |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30 PM – 11:00 PM | 30 min | Limited seats |
🕐 Regular Darshan Timings
The temple opens daily at 2:30 AM when priests enter for preparations. Regular devotee darshan is available from 4:00 AM after the Mangala Aarti concludes, and continues until 11:00 PM. The most peaceful darshan experience is on weekday mornings between 7:00 and 9:00 AM, with wait times of around 30 minutes.
🎫 Darshan Types & Tickets
| Darshan Type | Cost | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Free Darshan | Free | 45 min – 3 hours |
| Sugam Darshan (Kashi Pass) | Free (pre-register) | 30-60 min |
| VIP Darshan | ₹300/person | 15-30 min |
| Sparsh Darshan (Touch Shivling) | ₹500-1000 | By appointment |
🌊 Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
No pilgrimage to Varanasi is complete without witnessing the magnificent Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, located just 500 meters from Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The aarti is performed every evening at 6:45 PM (winter) or 7:00 PM (summer) by seven young Brahmins. The ceremony includes traditional lamps, incense, flowers, and Vedic chanting creating an unforgettable spiritual spectacle.
🚗 How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath
By Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (Babatpur) is 26 km from Varanasi. Direct flights connect from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and other major cities.
By Train: Varanasi Junction (BSB) and Varanasi City Station are well-connected. The Kashi Vishwanath Express, Shiv Ganga Express, and Mahamana Express are popular train services.
By Road: Varanasi is connected by NH2 (Grand Trunk Road). Distance from Lucknow is 320 km, from Allahabad/Prayagraj 125 km, and from Delhi 800 km.
🍽 Famous Food Near Temple
Varanasi is famous for its street food. Near the temple you can find crispy kachoris with spicy aloo sabzi at Kachori Gali, famous dahi-bada chaat at Deena Chaat Bhandar near Dashashwamedh Ghat, the iconic Banarasi paan, and traditional baati-chokha. For sweets, visit Shree Ji near Gopal Mandir — a 100-year-old shop famous for traditional Banarasi mithai.
👕 Dress Code & Rules
There is no strict dress code, but modest traditional attire is recommended. Shoes must be removed before entering the temple complex — designated shoe storage areas are available. Mobile phones are allowed but photography is prohibited inside the sanctum. Security checks are conducted at all four entry gates. The temple has four main gates, with Gate No. 1 (Dhundi Raj Ganesh) being the primary entry point and Gate No. 4 having the helpdesk facility.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
The Mangala Aarti booking costs ₹500 per person. It takes place daily from 3:00 AM to 4:00 AM and is considered the most sacred aarti as devotees witness the deity in its undecorated form.
Yes, through the Sparsh Darshan option priced between ₹500 and ₹1000. This premium darshan allows devotees to enter the sanctum and physically touch the sacred Shivling while offering personal prayers.
Dashashwamedh Ghat where the famous Ganga Aarti takes place is only about 500 meters from the temple. Many pilgrims do afternoon temple darshan and then walk to the ghat for the evening aarti.
October to March offers pleasant weather. Weekday mornings (Monday to Thursday, 7-9 AM) have the shortest queues. Avoid Mahashivratri and major festival days unless you want the festival experience, as wait times can exceed 10 hours.
