Ganga Dwar, Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Photo: Ashvin Kaitabhya / Abhishek Pandey, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Varanasi
हर हर महादेव - ॐ नमः शिवाय
Darshan timings, Sugam Darshan booking, five aartis and live darshan.
Kashi (Varanasi) is the oldest living city in the world and the holiest in Sanatan Dharma. The Shiva Purana says: "Kashyam maranam muktih" - death in Kashi gives liberation, because Lord Shiva himself whispers the Taraka mantra in the ear of every soul that departs here. The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and stands on the western bank of the holy Ganga. This guide (Page 1 of 2) gives you darshan timings, booking steps, five aartis and live darshan from home.
Quick facts: Temple opens 2:30 AM (Mangal Aarti ticket holders) and general darshan runs 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. Mangal Aarti is 3:00-4:00 AM. Sugam Darshan (queue-free): book at shrikashivishwanath.org. Helpline: +91 6393 131 608 (all hours) | 7080292930 (9 AM - 6 PM).
At a Glance
काशी विश्वनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंग, वाराणसी
Everything you need before you visit
| Temple | Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple |
| Deity | Lord Shiva as Vishwanath - Lord of the Universe |
| Jyotirlinga | Yes - one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva |
| Location | CK 37/40,41,42 Bansphatak, Varanasi - 221 001, Uttar Pradesh |
| Temple Open | 2:30 AM to 11:00 PM daily (general darshan from 4:00 AM) |
| Mangal Aarti | 3:00 AM - 4:00 AM (entry from 2:30 AM) - ticket required |
| Bhog Aarti | 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Saptarshi Aarti | 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM |
| Shringar / Bhog Aarti | 9:00 PM |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30 PM (temple closes 11:00 PM) |
| Sugam Darshan | Queue-free darshan available all day - book online |
| Entry Fee | General darshan free. Sugam Darshan ticket required |
| Helpline | +91 6393 131 608 | 7080292930 (9 AM - 6 PM) |
| +91 6393 131 608 | |
| Official Website | shrikashivishwanath.org |
Pooja, Prasad & Trust
What the Scriptures Say
शास्त्रों में काशी और ज्योतिर्लिंग
Why Kashi Vishwanath is the most sacred Shiva temple in Sanatan Dharma
The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is not just a great temple - it is the spot where the Lord himself appeared as an endless column of light. Here is what the scriptures say.
उज्जयिन्यां महाकालम्... वाराणस्यां तु विश्वेशं... Saurāṣṭre Somanāthaṁ ca Śrīśaile Mallikārjunam, Ujjayinyāṁ Mahākālam... Vārāṇasyāṁ tu Viśveśaṁ... The verse listing all 12 Jyotirlingas names Vishweshwara at Varanasi (Kashi) in the sacred sequence. Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram (Shiva Purana, Koti Rudra Samhita) - the names and places of the 12 Jyotirlingas
Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda devotes an entire section to the glory of Kashi. It describes Kashi as Avimukta - the place Lord Shiva never leaves - where Shiva is eternally present. The Lingam here is revered as swayambhu (self-manifested), not made by human hands.
Shiva Purana describes how Lord Shiva appeared as an endless pillar of light (Jyotirlinga) when Brahma and Vishnu disputed who was supreme. Neither could find the beginning or end of this pillar. The Kashi Vishwanath is among these twelve pillars of divine light.
Darshan Timings and How to Book
दर्शन समय और बुकिंग
General darshan 4 AM to 11 PM. Five aartis daily. Sugam Darshan: queue-free.
Source: Official Trust website shrikashivishwanath.org (Rituals page). All aarti times are IST. Timings may change during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan month.
| Time | Crowd | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Low | Most peaceful. Best for seniors. Cooler air, shorter queues |
| 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Medium | Morning pilgrimage crowd. Carry water |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Restricted | Bhog Aarti - darshan paused during this time |
| 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Medium | Afternoon. Daytime heat in summer - carry water |
| 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM | High | Evening crowds build. Very busy on Mondays and Saturdays |
| 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM | High | Saptarshi Aarti. Very popular. Book a ticket to be seated |
| 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM | Low | Quieter time. Shringar Aarti at 9:00 PM, Shayan Aarti at 10:30 PM |
| Aarti | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mangal Aarti | 3:00 - 4:00 AM | Entry from 2:30 AM. First and most auspicious aarti. Ticket required. Book online or at Tatkal counter (opens 11 AM daily for next day) |
| Bhog Aarti | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Midday food offering. Darshan paused during this period |
| Saptarshi Aarti | 7:00 - 8:30 PM | Seven-priest aarti. Most spectacular. Very popular - arrive early |
| Shringar / Bhog Aarti | 9:00 PM | Evening shringar (adornment) of Baba Vishwanath |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30 PM | Closing aarti of the night. Temple closes at 11:00 PM |
Sugam Darshan - How to Book (Queue-Free)
Sugam Darshan is a special queue-free service where a Shastri (learned priest) escorts you directly into the sanctum without waiting. It is especially designed for senior citizens, families with children and devotees with limited time. Includes free locker and Mewa Laddu Prasadam.
- Visit shrikashivishwanath.org and click Sugam Darshan
- Select your date and time slot
- Register your name and ID - download the e-pass
- Carry the e-pass (phone or printed) and a valid ID to Gate No. 1 (Dhundi Raj Ganesh)
Important: Children below 12 years can enter free. Same-day Sugam Darshan bookings must be done at the helpdesk counter in person - not by phone. Entry is subject to Temple Administration approval. Sugam Darshan does not apply for Sparsh Darshan (touching the Lingam). Mangal Aarti general booking opens at 11 AM daily for 30 days ahead; Tatkal booking opens at 11 AM for next day only.
Live Darshan Online
घर बैठे दर्शन
Free live darshan from the sanctum sanctorum - worldwide, all five aartis
The Trust broadcasts live darshan from directly inside the sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha). All five aartis can be watched live. This service is free for all devotees worldwide with no registration required. Also available through the official temple app.
If the video above does not load, use the links below to open the official Trust channels directly.
VR Darshan (3D): The Trust offers a Virtual Reality darshan experience where you can see inside the garbha griha in 3D, as if you are standing there. You can watch all five aartis in this immersive format. Book VR Darshan here.
Shri Kashi Prasadam: Cannot visit? Order Prasad to your home at shrikashiprasadam.com.
Facilities at the Temple
सुविधाएं
For senior citizens, women, children and all devotees
- Sugam Darshan: queue-free, escorted by Shastri
- Wheelchair available at main gate
- Sugam Darshan free for differently-abled (with certificate)
- Wide accessible paths in the Corridor
- Shaded sitting zones throughout
- Medical room near all main gates
- Drinking water stations
- Dedicated women entry queues
- Women security staff at all gates
- Clean washrooms inside the complex
- Cloak room for bags and valuables
- Children below 12: entry free
- Wide Corridor paths suitable for strollers
- Keep children close in the narrow galis near temple
- Free lockers for mobiles, bags, cameras and shoes
- Sugam Darshan includes free locker
- Clean washrooms throughout
- Mewa Laddu Prasadam with Sugam Darshan
- Heritage Walk with Mangal Aarti (govt tourism)
- Kashi Darshan Bus Seva (govt tourism)
Tip for senior citizens: Book Sugam Darshan in advance at shrikashivishwanath.org. This eliminates all queue waiting and a Shastri walks with you into the sanctum. Arrive at Gate No.1 (Dhundi Raj Ganesh). The 4 AM to 8 AM window is the quietest, coolest and most peaceful time for all devotees.
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Varanasi - Complete Guide
- Page 1 (this page): At a Glance, Scriptures, Darshan Timings, Five Aartis, Live Darshan, Facilities
- Page 2: How to Reach, Places to Visit, Hotels, Traffic, FAQ
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Har Har Mahadev. Om Namah Shivaya. Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Varanasi.