shaiva · Uttar Pradesh

Kashi Vishwanath

काशी विश्वनाथ

Presiding deity: Lord Shiva (Vishwanath — Lord of the Universe)

Established: Pre-Vedic; current temple rebuilt 1780 CE by Ahilyabai Holkar

Darshan timings

03:00–11:00, 12:00–19:00, 19:30–22:30 IST

Average wait

1–3 hours (general); 15–30 mins (Sugam Darshan ₹300)

Best season

October–March (avoid monsoon flooding)

Daily visitors

75,000–125,000 (peak: 300,000 on Mahashivratri)

Significance

One of 12 Jyotirlingas. Considered the spiritual capital of Hinduism — moksha-granting site per the Skanda Purana.

Lord Shiva himself never leaves Kashi. Anyone who dies here is whispered the Taraka Mantra by Shiva, granting liberation.

Located in Vishwanath Gali, Old City, Varanasi. From Varanasi Junction (10 km) take auto/cab. Final 500m on foot through narrow lanes.

Nearest airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi (25 km)

Nearest railway: Varanasi Junction (BSB) or Manduadih (MUV) — 10 km

Government UPSTDC hotels near Cantt area; many dharamshalas around Dashashwamedh Ghat.

What to offer: Bel patra, dhatura, white flowers, milk (panchamrit), Ganga jal

Dress code

Traditional only (dhoti/saree/kurta). Leather, mobile phones, cameras banned inside sanctum.

Photo policy

Phones deposited at locker; no photography inside

Post-2021 Kashi Vishwanath Corridor expanded the temple complex 5x with direct Ganga access. Daily visitors up from 30k to 100k+.

✓ Online booking available✓ VIP darshan available