Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the holiest sites in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is the sacred abode of Lord Shiva and one of the twelve jyotirlingas. Situated along the holy River Ganga’s westerly bank, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the oldest Indian shrines. This temple has been reconstructed many times making it not only a prominent pilgrimage site but also one of the most famous historical landmarks. King Vikramaditya built the original temple, but over the years it was demolished continuously by various invaders and reconstructed by Hindu rulers.
The River Ganga flows beside the Kashi Vishwanath temple enhancing its spiritual value by manifolds. In Hindu mythology, it plays an important role and has been mentioned in scriptures such as Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, the Vedas, and the Upanishads. If you’re planning to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple then we have curated a guide that will help you in having a smooth darshan and an enlightening experience.
The opening time of Kashi Vishwanath Temple is around 2:30 AM and it closes at 11 PM. Pilgrims can view Lord Shiva after 9 PM only from outside the sanctum. During this time various rituals are performed inside the temple. Sapta Rishi Aarti is held from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM and Mangala Aarti is conducted from 3 AM to 4 AM.
The Darshan Timings are as Follows:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple has traditional architecture exuding the perfect blend of Islamic and Hindu styles, reflecting the culture and history of Varanasi. The temple spans about 5 5-acre area and comprises three distinct parts: the Mandapa (assembly hall), the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), and the Sabha Griha (congregation hall). It has two main entrances: the first one starts from the Vishwanath Gali and through a narrow lane it leads you to the temple. The other entrance starts from the Manikarnika Ghat which is situated on the river bank. It also has an exit gate, which is known to be the Kaal Bhairav Darwaza, which has an opening to the Jnana Vapi well.
The temple’s innermost part is the Garbhagriha where Lord Shiva’s deity has been enshrined in the linga form. The linga has been composed of black stone and is 90 cm in circumference and 60 cm tall. On a silver platform, the linga is placed and is completely covered with a canopy. The linga looks beautiful with various unique ornaments, such as jewels, flowers, and garlands. A silver fence surrounds the Garbhagriha with four doors. All the doors are guarded by a Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vehicle. From the south door, you can enter the Garbhagriha and touch the linga. However, a strict dress code needs to be followed by all the devotees. They are required to wear only unstitched clothes, like a sari or a dhoti.
The middle part of the temple is called Mandapa, where you can comfortably sit and watch the ceremonies and rituals performed at the Garbhagriha. The Mandapa also has Lord Ganesha’s small shrine.
Maha Rudrabhishek: While performing this ritual, recitations of Samveda, Rigveda, Atharva, and Yajurveda Veda are done at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in front of the deities.
Rudrabhishek: Rudrabhishek is dedicated to Shiva, who is worshiped as Rudra or Fire. The pooja is performed to purify the atmosphere and wipe out sins. It also removes ill occurrences related to planets. The Pradosham days and Mondays of the month are considered to be the best time for performing this pooja.
Shravan Somvar Pooja: Shravan (July – August) Mondays are considered to be very auspicious for worshiping Shiva. During the Shravan month, devotees observe Somvar Vrat and perform poojas to bring prosperity to their homes. Bilva leaves, water, honey, white flowers, and milk are used for the pooja. You will have to pay Rs. 6251 for the Seva.
Mangla Aarti: Mangla Aarti is the first aarti that is performed in the morning during the “Brahma muhurta” hour. The cost for Mangal Aarti is around Rs 500.
Sandhya Aarti: This is the third aarti of the day that is usually performed between 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM in the evening. From the Mandapa you can witness the aarti and touch the linga. For the aarti, the fee is Rs. 180 per person.
Sapt Rishi Aarti: This ancient ritual dates back around 750 years. The seven Pandit/ Shastri/Purohit who belong to a different Gotra perform the Aarti simultaneously.
Train: The Mughal Sarai Junction or Varanasi Junction is the nearest railway station to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Several trains run from these stations connecting the city to major parts of the country like Howrah, Jammu, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Guwahati.
Air: Babatpur is the nearest airport to the city situated at a distance of around 22 km from Varanasi. Air India operates direct flights and private airlines operate flights from cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Lucknow, and Bhubaneswar.
Road: On the NH2 highway that links Kolkata to New Delhi, Varanasi is situated. You will get several buses from places such as Kanpur, Allahabad, Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Patna, Nagpur, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur and Gaya.
November to February is the best time to visit Varanasi. Since in winter the climate is pleasant throughout the day and the temperature is low you can visit the temple without worrying about scorching heat. Summers in Varanasi are very dry with very high temperatures making outdoor excursions very problematic. In monsoons, the weather is pleasant with heavier and mild rainfalls but winter is ideal to travel to Varanasi to have a surreal experience.
You will find both high-end and budget-friendly hotels near Kashi Vishwanath Temple depending on your budget and personal preference. There are many private hotels near the temple with spacious, clean rooms, high-speed internet, and good-quality food. Most hotels also offer railway and airport pickup and drop and express check-out and check-in.
Q-1: What are the Kashi Vishwanath Temple’s entry fees?
You do not need to pay any fees to enter Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Q-2: Can you carry gadgets and mobile into the Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
No, you’re not allowed to carry gadgets and mobile into the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. You can store them in lockers that are available inside the temple. You do not need to pay any fees for the locker facility.
Q-3: Is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple online darshan facility available?
Yes, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple online darshan facility is available. For online darshan, you can visit the official website shrikashivishwanath.org. For all devotees, this service is free.
Q-4: What is the opening time of Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
The opening time of Kashi Vishwanath Temple is around 2:30 AM and it closes at 11 PM. Pilgrims can view Lord Shiva after 9 PM only from outside the sanctum.
Q-5: What festivals are celebrated at Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
At Kashi Vishwanath Temple various festivals are celebrated including Mahashivratri, Makar Sankranti, Dev Deepawli, and Shravan Maas.
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