Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

There is an old saying in Varanasi: Kashi is not on the earth, it rests on Shiva’s trident. For devotees, the city and its temple are one, and Kashi Vishwanath, “Lord of the Universe”, is its heart. Standing before the small silver-framed Jyotirlinga, after walking through the lanes that pilgrims have walked for thousands of years, is one of the most moving experiences a Hindu can have.

Why Kashi Vishwanath is so sacred

Kashi Vishwanath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the shrines where Shiva is believed to have revealed himself as an endless column of light. Varanasi itself, also called Kashi and Banaras, is counted among the seven holy cities (Sapta Puri) and is believed to be one of the oldest living cities in the world.

Tradition holds that those who leave their body in Kashi are granted moksha, and that Shiva himself whispers the Taraka mantra into their ear. That is why, for centuries, elders have come to Kashi to spend their last years close to Vishwanath and the Ganga.

History of the temple

The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over its long history. The structure you see today was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, the queen who restored many great temples across India. In the 1830s Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab donated about a tonne of gold to plate the temple’s two domes, which is why people often call it the Golden Temple of Varanasi.

In December 2021 the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor was opened. It cleared the crowded approach and created a wide, stone-paved path from the temple straight down to the Lalita Ghat on the Ganga, so pilgrims can take a dip in the river and walk up for darshan the way devotees did long ago.

Darshan and aarti

Five aartis are performed every day:

1. Mangala Aarti: before dawn, around 3 AM
2. Bhog Aarti: around midday
3. Sandhya (Saptarishi) Aarti: in the evening
4. Shringar Aarti: at night
5. Shayan Aarti: before the temple closes

Tickets for the aartis and for Sugam Darshan (a shorter queue) can be booked on the temple trust’s official website. General darshan is free.

Tips for elderly visitors

• Go early. The hour after Mangala Aarti is usually the calmest time of the day.
• Carry very little. Phones, bags and leather items are not allowed inside; use the free lockers near the gates.
• Ask for help. Wheelchairs and battery vehicles are available within the corridor for those who find walking difficult. Just ask at the entry desk.
• Avoid peak days such as Mondays in Sawan and Maha Shivratri if crowds worry you.
• Rest at the ghats. After darshan, sit a while at the ghats or take a boat to watch the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Read our detailed guide: Visiting Kashi Vishwanath with elderly parents.

Other temples to visit in Varanasi

While in Kashi, many pilgrims also visit the Kaal Bhairav Temple (the “kotwal” or guardian of Kashi, traditionally visited first), Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Annapurna Devi Temple next to Vishwanath, Durga Kund and the Tulsi Manas Mandir.