About Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Shaivites and is among the twelve Jyotirlinga, shrines which are said to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva.
The temple has a long and rich history and has been demolished and rebuilt several times by different rulers. The current structure was built by the Maratha ruler Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780. The temple is also known as the Golden Temple because of its gold-plated dome and spire. The temple attracts millions of devotees throughout the year, especially during festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Shravan Maas, and Dev Deepawali.
If you are planning a trip to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, you might be wondering how to reach, when to go, what to do, and how much to pay. Don’t worry, I have got you covered. Everything you need to know before you visit this sacred and spectacular destination.
How to Reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
There are different ways to reach Kashi Vishwanath Temple, depending on your mode of transportation and your starting point. Here are some of the common options:
- By Road: You can take a state-run or private bus to Varanasi from nearby cities like Lucknow, Allahabad, Patna, etc. Once you reach Varanasi, you can hire a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or cycle-rickshaw to Vishwanath Gali, which is the main entrance to the temple. You can also walk from the nearby ghats or railway station.
- By Train: You can take a train to Varanasi Junction or Varanasi City railway station from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. From there, you can take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or cycle-rickshaw to Vishwanath Gali. You can also walk from the railway station.
- By Air: You can take a flight to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. From there, you can take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or cycle-rickshaw to Vishwanath Gali. You can also walk from the airport.
When to Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
Visit the temple anytime between 3:00 AM and 11:00 PM on any day of the week. If you want to witness the amazing aarti ceremonies, you should go in the early morning or evening hours. The temple is also very crowded during festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Shravan Maas, and Dev Deepawali when millions of devotees come to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. You can find more information about the temple timings and festivals on its official website.
What to Do at Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
There are many things you can do at Kashi Vishwanath Temple besides offering prayers and seeking blessings from Lord Shiva. Here are some of them:
- Admire the exquisite carvings, sculptures, and paintings that adorn the temple walls and pillars.
- Participate in the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening, where you can see hundreds of lamps floating on the river and hear chants and songs praising Shiva and Ganga (the goddess of the river).
- Visit other nearby attractions like Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat (the cremation ground), Gyanvapi Mosque (built by Aurangzeb on the site of the original temple), and Annapurna Temple (dedicated to the goddess of food).
- Shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, religious items, and sweets at Vishwanath Gali, which is a narrow lane full of shops leading to the temple.
- Taste some delicious street food like kachori-sabzi (fried bread with spicy potato curry), chaat (savory snacks), lassi (yogurt drink), and paan (betel leaf with areca nut).
How Much to Pay at Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
The entry fee for Kashi Vishwanath Temple is free for all visitors. you may have to pay a nominal amount for special darshan or puja services. You may also have to pay for parking, transportation, accommodation, and food. Here are some approximate costs for your reference:
- Parking: Rs. 20-50 per hour
- Taxi: Rs. 200-500 per trip
- Auto-rickshaw: Rs. 50-100 per trip
- Cycle-rickshaw: Rs. 20-50 per trip
- Accommodation: Rs. 500-5000 per night
- Food: Rs. 50-500 per meal
Kashi Vishwanath Special Darshan
Kashi Vishwanath Special Darshan is a new service that lets you have a hassle-free darshan of Lord Shiva in the temple. You can book this service online or offline and enjoy the benefits of Shastri Assistance, free locker, and Mewaladdu Prasadam.
if you want to witness the special aartis (ritual worship) performed in the temple, you will have to pay a different fee. The aartis are as follows:
- Mangala Aarti – 3:00 AM to 4:00 AM
- Bhog Aarti – 11:15 AM to 12:20 PM
- Sapta Rishi Aarti – 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
- Shrungar Aarti – 9:00 PM to 10:15 PM
- Shayana Aarti -10:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Varanasi Near Temples
Varanasi is a city of temples, where you can find many sacred and ancient shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities. Some of the most famous temples in Varanasi are:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
This is the most revered temple in Varanasi, as it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas or temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has a gold-plated dome and spire, and a self-manifested Shivalinga that is worshipped as Vishwanath or Vishweshwara, meaning Lord of the Universe.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple:
This temple is situated by the River Assi and was built in the 1900s by the freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. It is dedicated to Lord Rama and Hanuman and is famous for being a place of worship for Aghoris and Tantriks.
Durga Mandir:
This temple is one of the oldest temples in the city and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is also known as the Monkey Temple, as it is home to many monkeys. The temple has a red color and a multi-tiered spire.
Nepali Temple:
This temple is a 19th-century shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and was established by the King of Nepal. It is a replica of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu and has stone, terracotta, and wood carving architecture.
Tulsi Manas Mandir:
This temple is located close to Varanasi’s Durga temple at Durgakund and is dedicated to Lord Rama. It was built in 1964 by the Howrah Surekha family and has white marble walls with verses from Ramcharitmanas inscribed on them.
These are some of the must-visit temples in Varanasi, but there are many more that you can explore and admire. Varanasi is a place where you can experience the spiritual and cultural richness of Hinduism.
So what are you waiting for? Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple today and discover its beauty and glory for yourself. You can book your tickets online or contact the temple authorities for more details.
