Quick answer: The ten temples at the heart of a Kashi yatra are Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna, Vishalakshi, Kaal Bhairav, Kedareshwar, Sankat Mochan, Durga Kund, Tulsi Manas, the New Vishwanath Mandir at BHU, and the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Kashi Vishwanath is open from about 3 am to 11 pm, with free general darshan and a Sugam Darshan listed at Rs 300 in 2026. Plan two days; three if you add Sarnath.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Kashi is believed to rest on Shiva’s trident, and a yatri who dies here is said to receive moksha. For most families, though, the yatra is about the living city: the bells of Vishwanath before dawn, the boats on the Ganga, the narrow galis where every corner holds a shrine. Since the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor opened in December 2021, the main temple is reached by a wide path from the river, but the older temples still sit in the lanes around it. This guide lists the ten temples you should not miss, with what each means, timings, rules, and distance from Varanasi Junction, and a one to three day plan.
Which are the most important temples in Varanasi?
Varanasi’s temples fall into two groups. The Vishwanath cluster near the river (Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna, Vishalakshi, Dashashwamedh and Kedar Ghat) is best covered on foot. The southern cluster (Sankat Mochan, Durga Kund, Tulsi Manas and BHU) is 3 to 4 km south, a short auto ride. Kaal Bhairav is just north of the old city.
1. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
Deity: Lord Shiva as Vishwanath, lord of the universe, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Timings: per the temple trust, the temple opens around 3 am for Mangla Aarti; general darshan runs roughly 4 to 11 am, 12:20 to 7 pm and 8:30 to 9 pm, pausing for the Bhog, Saptarishi and Shringar aartis, and closes after the Shayan Aarti around 11 pm. Tickets: general darshan is free; Sugam Darshan was listed at Rs 300 per person in 2026 on the trust’s site or app. Rules: no phones, smartwatches, cameras or even pens inside. From station: about 5 to 6 km. Our Kashi Vishwanath darshan guide explains gates, aartis and booking.
2. Annapurna Devi Mandir
Deity: Maa Annapurna, the goddess of food, who tradition says fed Shiva himself when he came to Kashi as a mendicant. Devotees believe no one in Kashi goes to bed hungry because of her grace. Around Dhanteras and Annakoot the temple shows a golden idol for a few days each year, drawing very long queues. Timings: about 4 am to 11:30 am and 7 to 11 pm, varying by season. From station: about 5.5 km, adjacent to the Vishwanath complex.
3. Vishalakshi Mandir
Deity: Maa Vishalakshi, the wide-eyed goddess, revered as a Shakti Peeth where devotees believe Sati’s earring (or eyes, in some texts) fell. Many families do Vishwanath and Vishalakshi together, as Shiva and Shakti. Timings: about 5 am to 11 am and 4 to 10 pm. From station: about 6 km, near Mir Ghat.
4. Kaal Bhairav Mandir
Deity: Kaal Bhairav, the kotwal (guardian) of Kashi. Tradition says one should seek his permission to stay in Kashi, and many families come here first or last. Devotees receive a black thread tied by the priests for protection. Sundays and Tuesdays are busiest. Timings: about 5 am to 1:30 pm and 4:30 to 9:30 pm. From station: about 4 to 5 km, in Bhaironath, north of the Chowk.
5. Kedareshwar Mandir
Deity: Shiva as Kedareshwar, believed to be the Kedarnath of Kashi. Devotees hold that darshan here carries the punya of Kedarnath. Worship follows South Indian traditions, and the temple is cared for by a community of priests from the south. Timings: morning and evening, with a midday closure. From station: about 6 km, on Kedar Ghat; most easily visited by boat or on a ghat walk.
6. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir
Deity: Hanuman as Sankat Mochan, the remover of troubles, in a temple traditionally associated with Goswami Tulsidas. Tuesdays and Saturdays draw large crowds, and besan laddoo is the customary prasad. The annual Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh in April brings India’s leading classical musicians. Timings: early morning to night, with a short break in the afternoon. From station: about 6 to 7 km, near BHU.
7. Durga Kund Mandir
Deity: Maa Durga. The red, North Indian-style temple, beside a large tank, was built in the 18th century by Rani Bhabani of Natore. Navratri is its biggest time. Timings: about 5 am to 10 pm, with an afternoon break. From station: about 6 km.
8. Tulsi Manas Mandir
Significance: a white marble temple built in 1964 at the place where tradition holds Tulsidas composed parts of the Ramcharitmanas. Its walls are inscribed with verses from the epic, and an upper floor has animated scenes from the Ramayana that children enjoy. Timings: about 5:30 am to 12 noon and 3:30 to 9 pm. From station: about 6 km, next to Durga Kund.
9. New Vishwanath Mandir (Birla Mandir), BHU
Deity: Lord Shiva, with shrines to other deities. Built by the Birla family on the campus of Banaras Hindu University and completed in the 1960s, it has one of the tallest temple shikharas in India and is open to devotees of every background. Spacious and calm, it is ideal for seniors. Timings: about 4 am to 12 noon and 1 to 9 pm. From station: about 8 to 9 km.
10. Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Ganga aarti
Significance: the ghat where Brahma is believed to have performed ten ashwamedha yagyas. The evening Ganga aarti, with rows of priests swinging large lamps, is the most famous ritual in Varanasi. Timings: daily at sunset, roughly 6 to 7 pm in winter and 7 to 8 pm in summer, lasting about 45 minutes. A quieter morning programme is held at Assi Ghat before sunrise. From station: about 5 to 6 km. During monsoon floods the aarti is moved to higher ground or rooftops.
Varanasi temples at a glance
| Temple | Deity | Approx. timings | From Varanasi Jn | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kashi Vishwanath | Shiva (Jyotirlinga) | 3 am to 11 pm (darshan windows) | 5 to 6 km | 4 to 6 am or early afternoon |
| Annapurna | Annapurna Devi | 4 to 11:30 am; 7 to 11 pm | 5.5 km | With Vishwanath |
| Vishalakshi | Shakti Peeth | 5 to 11 am; 4 to 10 pm | 6 km | Morning |
| Kaal Bhairav | Bhairav | 5 am to 1:30 pm; 4:30 to 9:30 pm | 4 to 5 km | Weekday morning |
| Kedareshwar | Shiva | Morning and evening | 6 km | On a ghat walk or boat |
| Sankat Mochan | Hanuman | Early morning to night | 6 to 7 km | Not Tuesday or Saturday evening |
| Durga Kund | Durga | 5 am to 10 pm | 6 km | Morning |
| Tulsi Manas | Shri Ram | 5:30 am to 12; 3:30 to 9 pm | 6 km | Afternoon |
| New Vishwanath, BHU | Shiva | 4 am to 12; 1 to 9 pm | 8 to 9 km | Any time |
| Dashashwamedh aarti | Maa Ganga | Sunset daily | 5 to 6 km | Reach 1 hour early |
Timings other than Kashi Vishwanath’s are from recent reports and temple boards and change with season and festivals.
How to plan 1 to 3 days of darshan in Kashi
One day
- Before dawn: Kashi Vishwanath (general darshan from 4 am or Sugam Darshan), then Annapurna and Vishalakshi.
- Morning: Kaal Bhairav.
- Afternoon: Sankat Mochan, Durga Kund, Tulsi Manas and BHU.
- Evening: Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh, ideally from a boat.
Two days
Add a sunrise boat ride from Assi to Manikarnika, Kedareshwar on Kedar Ghat, and a slower second darshan at Vishwanath. Two days suits seniors best.
Three days
Add Sarnath (about 10 km), or go on to Prayagraj and Ayodhya. Our guide on how many days you need for Varanasi gives full plans.
Dress code and rules
- Modest Indian clothing everywhere. Men may need a dhoti and women a saree for sparsh darshan or rituals inside the Vishwanath sanctum when allowed; check the trust’s current rule.
- At Kashi Vishwanath, leave phones, watches, pens and bags at the hotel or in the free lockers.
- Agree boat fares before boarding and insist on life jackets.
- Touts offering “VIP darshan” in the lanes are best ignored; book Sugam Darshan only on the official site.
- Galis are narrow, slippery and shared with cattle. Wear shoes that grip well.
When is the best time to visit Varanasi temples?
October to March is the best season. Dev Deepawali, on Kartik Purnima in November, lights every ghat with lakhs of diyas; see our Dev Deepawali guide. Mahashivratri and every Monday of Shravan (July to August) are Vishwanath’s most crowded days, and online bookings are sometimes suspended. April to June is very hot, and in the monsoon the river rises over the lower ghats.
How to reach Varanasi
- Train: Varanasi Junction (BSB) and Banaras (BSBS) have direct trains from Delhi (including Vande Bharat, about 8 hours), Mumbai, Kolkata and most major cities.
- Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri airport at Babatpur is about 25 km from the city centre, roughly an hour by road.
- Road: Prayagraj is about 120 km and Ayodhya about 200 km.
How we can help
Our Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga yatra (2 nights, 3 days) covers the main temples, Ganga aarti and a boat ride. Short on time? The one-day Kashi Mandir Darshan Circuit and the Varanasi Ghat Darshan and Boat Ride fit a single day. For a longer sankalp, the Kashi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya Yatra links three tirthas. See all Kashi and Ayodhya yatras, or use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What are the Kashi Vishwanath darshan timings?
According to the temple trust, the temple opens around 3 am for Mangla Aarti. Free general darshan runs roughly 4 to 11 am, 12:20 to 7 pm and 8:30 to 9 pm, pausing for the day’s aartis. The temple closes after the Shayan Aarti around 11 pm. Festival days have special schedules.
How many days are enough for Varanasi temples?
Two days is ideal for most families: one for the Vishwanath cluster and the evening Ganga aarti, and one for the southern temples, a sunrise boat ride and a second, calmer darshan. One day is possible with an early start. Add a third day for Sarnath, or more for Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
Can I carry my phone to Kashi Vishwanath?
No. The temple trust does not allow phones, smartwatches, cameras, earphones or even pens inside. Free lockers are available near the gates, but the queues for them can be long. The simplest plan is to leave everything at the hotel and carry only your ID, printed booking and a little cash.
What time is the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat?
The aarti starts around sunset every day, roughly 6 to 7 pm in winter and 7 to 8 pm in summer, and lasts about 45 minutes. Reach about an hour early to sit on the steps, or book a boat to watch from the river. During monsoon floods it moves to higher ground.
Why should I visit Kaal Bhairav in Varanasi?
Kaal Bhairav is revered as the kotwal, or guardian, of Kashi. Tradition says a yatri should seek his blessing to stay in the city, and that a Kashi yatra is incomplete without his darshan. Priests tie a protective black thread on devotees. Weekday mornings are calmest; avoid Sunday and Tuesday crowds.
Is Sugam Darshan at Kashi Vishwanath worth it?
For senior citizens, small children, or anyone with a train or flight the same day, yes. In 2026 the temple trust listed Sugam Darshan at Rs 300 per person, booked on its official website or app, with a temple Shastri guiding you past the general queue. Book only on official channels; avoid agents in the lanes.
Which Varanasi temple is a Shakti Peeth?
Vishalakshi Mandir near Mir Ghat is revered as a Shakti Peeth, where devotees believe Sati’s earring fell. Many families pair Vishalakshi with Kashi Vishwanath, honouring Shakti and Shiva together. It is a short walk from the Vishwanath complex through the lanes, and quieter in the late morning.
What is the best month to visit Varanasi?
October to March, when the weather is pleasant. November’s Dev Deepawali is extraordinary but very crowded; book boats and hotels months ahead. Avoid Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri if you want quiet darshan. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon floods the lower ghats.