Varanasi welcomed over 11 crore visitors in 2024 — a 19% jump from the previous year — and 70% of those visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Dham come from South India. Since the Corridor opened in December 2021, daily footfall averages 1 to 1.5 lakh pilgrims, with single-day records crossing 5 lakh. If you are planning your Kashi Yatra, you need the right timings and the right darshan — this guide gives you both.
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💡 Quick Answer: Kashi Vishwanath Temple opens at 2:30 AM and closes at 11:00 PM daily. General darshan is FREE. Sugam Darshan (VIP) costs ₹250/person — book at shrikashivishwanath.org. Darshan pauses from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM daily. 5 Aartis: Mangala (3 AM), Bhog (11:15 AM), Sandhya (7 PM), Shringaar (9 PM), Shayan (10:30 PM).
⚡ 2026 Update: The temple launched “Ask Nandi” — an AI-powered chatbot available 24/7 at shrikashivishwanath.org — to help pilgrims with real-time crowd data, best darshan slots and booking queries. Sugam Darshan price confirmed at ₹250/person (2026). Differently-abled devotees: FREE entry. Source: Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, 2026.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple — At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Temple Name | Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple |
| Location | Bansphatak, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001 |
| Deity | Lord Vishwanath (Shiva) — one of 12 Jyotirlingas |
| Temple Opens | 2:30 AM |
| Temple Closes | 11:00 PM |
| General Darshan | FREE for all |
| Sugam Darshan (VIP) | ₹250 per person |
| Annual Visitors | 3 crore+ (temple); 11 crore+ (Varanasi) |
| Official Website | shrikashivishwanath.org |
| Online Booking | shrikashivishwanath.org |
| Phone | +91-542-2392545 / +91-542-2393772 |
| info@shrikashivishwanath.org | |
| Corridor Inaugurated | December 13, 2021 |
Kashi Vishwanath Darshan Timings 2026 — Daily Schedule
| Time | Ritual / Darshan |
|---|---|
| 2:30 AM | Temple opens — Mangala Aarti preparations begin |
| 3:00 AM | Mangala Aarti — first sacred offering of the day |
| 3:00 AM – 11:00 AM | General Darshan open for devotees |
| 4:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Sugam Darshan (morning slot) |
| 11:00 AM | Bhog Aarti — darshan pauses |
| 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Temple CLOSED — no entry permitted |
| 12:30 PM | Temple reopens — afternoon darshan begins |
| 12:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Sugam Darshan (afternoon slot) |
| 7:00 PM | Sandhya Aarti — darshan pauses briefly |
| 9:00 PM | Shringaar Aarti |
| 10:30 PM | Shayan Aarti — final aarti of the night |
| 11:00 PM | Temple closes |
Important: No entry is allowed between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM. Arriving during this window means waiting outside for 90 minutes. Plan accordingly.
Kashi Vishwanath Aarti Timings 2026
Five Aartis are performed daily at the Jyotirlinga. Each is a distinct spiritual experience.
| Aarti | Time | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti | 3:00 AM | First aarti — most auspicious, marks the Lord’s awakening |
| Bhog Aarti | 11:15 AM | Noon offering — temple closes after this |
| Sandhya Aarti | 7:00 PM | Evening twilight aarti |
| Shringaar Aarti | 9:00 PM | Lord is adorned for the night |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30 PM | Final aarti — Lord’s bedtime ritual |
Aarti participation tickets can be booked at shrikashivishwanath.org — Mangala Aarti (₹100–₹600 depending on position), other Aartis at varying prices. Aarti pass is separate from darshan pass.
Sugam Darshan (VIP) — Booking Guide 2026
Sugam Darshan provides a dedicated, faster queue. Spiritual significance remains the same as general darshan.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | ₹250 per person (2026) |
| Differently-abled | FREE — no charge |
| Morning Slot | 4:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Afternoon Slot | 12:30 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Entry Gate | Gate No. 4 — near Godowlia / Shapuri Mall |
| Report Time | 30 minutes before your booked slot |
| ID Mandatory | Aadhaar / PAN / Passport — name must match booking |
| Booking | shrikashivishwanath.org only |
Step-by-Step Booking
Step 1 — Visit shrikashivishwanath.org Step 2 — Click “Users” → Register with mobile number and email Step 3 — Verify OTP Step 4 — Select “Sugam Darshan” from services Step 5 — Choose date and available time slot Step 6 — Enter details of all pilgrims — upload government ID Step 7 — Pay ₹250/person via UPI, card or net banking Step 8 — Download QR-coded e-ticket — carry on phone or print
⚠️ Fraud Alert: Official Sugam Darshan costs ₹250 ONLY at shrikashivishwanath.org. Never book through WhatsApp agents or third-party sites. Anyone offering “quick darshan” for cash outside is a fraudster.
Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor — Complete Guide
The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor was inaugurated on December 13, 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — one of the most significant temple redevelopments in modern India.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Area | 5 lakh square feet spiritual complex |
| Connection | Temple directly connected to Ganga riverfront |
| Entry | Completely FREE |
| Facilities | Wide walkways, waiting halls, prasad counters, medical aid |
| Capacity | 45,000+ pilgrims per day comfortably |
| Impact | Daily footfall increased from ~10,000 to 1–1.5 lakh after opening |
How to enter via Corridor: Reach any Varanasi ghat → walk along the ghats to the Corridor entrance → enter the 5-lakh sq ft complex → proceed to the temple. No vehicle beyond designated parking near Godowlia.
Sparsh Darshan — Touch the Jyotirlinga
Sparsh Darshan allows devotees to physically touch the Shivlinga inside the Garbhagriha (sanctum). This is an extremely rare privilege.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | ~₹300 (with additional puja services) |
| Availability | Limited slots — book well in advance |
| Booking | shrikashivishwanath.org |
| Best for | Devotees who want direct contact with the Jyotirlinga |
Best Time to Visit Kashi Vishwanath
| When | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday mornings (Mon–Thu, 6–9 AM) | Moderate | Best for peaceful darshan |
| Weekday afternoons (1–3 PM) | Light | Quietest slot of the day |
| Mondays | Very Heavy | Shiva’s sacred day — book Sugam Darshan |
| Shravan Month (July–Aug) | Extremely Heavy | Book 4–6 weeks in advance |
| Maha Shivaratri | 10,000+ queues | Avoid general darshan — Sugam only |
| Friday–Sunday evenings | Heavy | Tourist surge — avoid if possible |
| November–February | Moderate | Most comfortable weather |
Kashi Vishwanath + Ganga Aarti — One Day Plan
Most pilgrims combine the Jyotirlinga darshan with the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti — just a 5-minute walk away.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Kashi Vishwanath darshan (Sugam or General) |
| 7:30 AM | Boat ride on the Ganga — sunrise view of ghats |
| 10:00 AM | Explore Vishwanath Gali and nearby temples |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch at a Varanasi traditional restaurant |
| 2:00 PM | Visit Sarnath (10 km — Buddha’s first sermon site) |
| 6:30 PM | Dashashwamedh Ghat Ganga Aarti — arrive by 6:00 PM for a good spot |
| 9:00 PM | Return to hotel |
Nearby Sacred Sites
| Site | Distance | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Dashashwamedh Ghat | 5 min walk | Most famous Ganga Aarti every evening |
| Manikarnika Ghat | 10 min walk | Sacred cremation ghat — moksha ghat |
| Annapurna Temple | 2 min walk | Inside the temple complex |
| Kaal Bhairav Temple | 1 km | Lord Shiva as Bhairava — city’s guardian |
| Sankat Mochan Hanuman | 3 km | Tulsidas’s famous Hanuman temple |
| Sarnath | 10 km | Buddhist pilgrimage — Buddha’s first sermon |
| New Vishwanath Temple (BHU) | 5 km | Large modern Vishwanath temple in BHU campus |
How to Reach Varanasi 2026
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight | Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) — 26 km from temple. Expanded 2024. |
| Train | Varanasi Junction (BSB) or Varanasi Cantt (BCY) — well connected to Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad |
| Bus | From Lucknow (320 km), Allahabad/Prayagraj (130 km), Ayodhya (200 km) |
| Car | Prayagraj 130 km (2.5 hrs) |
From Station to Temple: Auto ₹150–₹200 | Taxi ₹300–₹400 | No vehicles beyond Godowlia — 10-min walk through lanes.
Temple Rules & Dress Code
- ✅ Traditional attire recommended — kurta, dhoti, saree or salwar kameez
- ❌ No mobile phones or cameras inside the temple
- ❌ No leather items — belts, bags, wallets, shoes
- ❌ No shorts or sleeveless tops
- ✅ ID proof mandatory for Sugam Darshan — name must match booking
- ✅ Cloak room available at temple entry — deposit bags and phones
- ✅ Footwear deposited outside — shoe racks available
FAQ
Kashi Vishwanath temple ke darshan timings 2026 mein kya hain?
Temple opens at 2:30 AM and closes at 11:00 PM. General darshan runs throughout the day with a break from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Five Aartis daily: Mangala (3 AM), Bhog (11:15 AM), Sandhya (7 PM), Shringaar (9 PM), Shayan (10:30 PM).
Kashi Vishwanath Sugam Darshan price 2026 kya hai?
Sugam Darshan (VIP) costs ₹250 per person in 2026. Differently-abled devotees enter free. Book only at shrikashivishwanath.org — no other site is authorised.
Kashi Vishwanath Corridor kya hai aur kaise enter karein?
The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor is a 5-lakh sq ft complex connecting the temple directly to the Ganga river, inaugurated December 13, 2021. Entry is completely FREE. Walk from any ghat along the riverfront to reach the Corridor entrance.
Kashi Vishwanath mein Sparsh Darshan kaise book karein?
Sparsh Darshan (touching the Shivlinga) is available at approximately ₹300 with additional puja services. Book at shrikashivishwanath.org — limited slots, book 2–3 days in advance. Festival periods: book 4–6 weeks ahead.
Shravan mein Kashi Vishwanath jaana chahiye ya nahi?
Shravan month (July–August) is the holiest time to visit — but crowds are extreme, especially on Mondays. Always book Sugam Darshan 4–6 weeks in advance for Shravan visits. Arrive before 5 AM for any chance of a shorter queue.
Kashi Vishwanath ke paas Ganga Aarti kahan hoti hai?
The famous Ganga Aarti takes place at Dashashwamedh Ghat — just a 5-minute walk from the temple. It starts at approximately 6:30 PM daily. Arrive by 6:00 PM to get a good viewing spot on the ghats or a boat.
Lord Vishwanath — the Lord of the Universe — has blessed pilgrims in Kashi for over 3,000 years. Book your Sugam Darshan at shrikashivishwanath.org before you travel — and combine it with the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh for a complete Kashi experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏
Also Read:
- Kedarnath Darshan Timings 2026
- Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan Timings 2026
- Tirupati Balaji Darshan Timings 2026
- Purnima Dates 2026