Every year, around 65 million people visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
This sacred Hindu site is seen as a must-visit location and if you're one of the 6.5 crore intending to go this year, this article will help you with flights, temple facts and the best time to visit Kashi.
A brief history of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Before you visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, it's good to know a bit about its history and significance.
The revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple is found in Varanasi, one of Hinduism’s holy cities. This temple has been an integral part of practising the Shaiva philosophy for a long time. It's famous for its gold-plated domes and spires and its Nandi Bull statue.
Destroyed and rebuilt a number of times, the present structure stands near the original temple site. Hindus from around the world try to visit the temple at least once in their lifetime – the belief being that the temple darshan and a dip in the Ganges will lead a devotee to Moksha.
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Quick facts about Kashi Vishwanath
Best time to visit Kashi
The best time to visit Kashi Vishwanath for a temple darshan is in the winter months, between October and March.
The weather in Varanasi, though cold in December and January, suits travellers since most sightseeing is outdoors.
If you're not looking to attend one of the aartis, then the best time to visit the temple is at 7 AM so you can avoid the long queues
Kasi Viswanathar temple timings
The temple opens at 2.30am. There are five aartis that are conducted in Kashi Vishwanath Temple daily:
Mangala aarti: 3am – 4am
Bhoga aarti: 11.15am – 12.20pm
Sandhya aarti: 7pm – 8.15pm
Shringara aarti: 9pm – 10.15pm
Shayana aarti: 10.30pm – 11pm
Things to do in Varanasi
Looking to extend your stay in Varanasi? Here are five suggestions for things to do aside from visiting the temple:
Visit the Dashashwamedh Ghat which is known for its fabulous Ganga Aarti
See the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath
Explore the 1750’s Ramnagar Fort on the eastern banks of River Ganga
Check out the Sarnath Museum for its archaeological artefacts dating from the 3rd century BCE
Go to the Gyanvapi Mosque which shares a wall with the Kashi temple
Dress code for Kashi Vishwanath
There is no particular attire specified for a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, but there is a general dress code that is enforced.
Visitors to the temple must cover their arms and legs as a sign of respect. Indian traditional dresses are not compulsory and western clothes are allowed.
Security procedures
There are police checkpoints at a number of places as you enter the temple and security procedures are enforced strictly with frequent frisking.
Visitors are not allowed to carry mobile phones, cameras, belts with metal buckles, shoes, cigarettes and lighters into the temple premises. Lockers can be hired at a nominal charge.
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Reaching Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Being a major pilgrim and tourist destination, Varanasi is very well connected to the rest of the country by road, rail and air.
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 25 kilometres from the city centre. Several airlines fly into this airport, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet.
Varanasi also has three railway stations: Varanasi Junction, Mughal Sarai Junction and Manduadih Railway Station.
