Kashi Vishwanath Temple: The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide for A Smooth Journey

March 14, 2023

The All-Inclusive Visitor’s Guide to Explore the Kashi Vishwanath Temple

By this time, most Indians and even foreigners recognize the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is one of the most prestigious religious locations, not only in the city but also in the country. Its importance is not limited to religion, however. It is also one of the most popular tourist places in Varanasi.

But we have already looked at the temple’s history and story. So today, we have brought you a detailed guide to help you tour the temple. If you are a first-time visitor, you can look for tips from the locals to ensure you have a positive experience.

How to Reach the Kashi Vishwanath Temple?

Reaching Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the easy part, as you have countless options. If you are staying in one of the Varanasi hotels close by, you can walk to the temple. However, there are many ways to reach the temple for the ease of tourists.

Remember that Gates 1 & 4 are the most crucial entry points. Gate No. 4 connects the corridor to the main Godowlia road. Whereas, Gate No.1 is placed in the Vishwanath Gali where the prior entry used to be.

If you are accessing the temple via the Ghat, you can enter directly through the Ganga Dwar that connects it. The gate is the official one connecting the riverside to the temple. Without further ado, here are some ways to reach the Kashi Vishwanath Temple:

On Foot- Reaching on foot within a 2-kilometer radius is perhaps the fastest way to reach places in Varanasi. Because most streets, especially the ones near the temple, are jam-packed with vehicles.
Car/ Taxi/ Other Vehicle- You can rent a bike, car, or bicycle to use to reach the site. It would be slightly more expensive, but ideal if you seek comfort. You could get a taxi, but the process gets tedious in the city. Since the flow of cars is already low, people have trouble finding taxis at various times.
Public Transport- The second-best option would be to go on public transport in the city. Rickshaws and autos are always available in most spots, and you can get a ride for 5-50 rupees for most locations. The city has also recently introduced buses for the same purpose, which you can also opt for.
Boat- If you wish to access the temple through the Ghats, you can do so after a boat ride. You can take a boat to the nearby Lalita Ghat. Then, you can enter through the Ganga Dwar situated at the Ghat. It is pretty hard to miss as it is an enormous structure. The rates for boat rides start from 50 rupees and go up for more private boats and rides.

The Official Kashi Vishwanath Temple Website

Varanasi is an ancient city, after all, so you would expect that you would not have any digital guidance to anything. After all, half the streets don’t show up in google maps and you have to manually do most things.

But the recent renovation project of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple not only focused on the architecture. But it also helped create a functional and helpful website for online bookings by visitors.

Now you can book your stay, poojas, and seats in other events at the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. You can book standard aartis, Sugam Darhan, Rudrabhishek, and many other events online.

Here is the link to the official website to follow for the bookings- https://www.shrikashivishwanath.org/

Can You Book Your Pooja in The Temple?

If you want to book a place in the Aarti programs, you can it by visiting the official website or the official app. You can follow the following steps to book your aarti through the Kashi Vishwanath Temple official website-

On the website, you can look for the aarti bookings session in the top bar. Then you can select the aarti you wish to attend from the options.
To proceed with the bookings, you must register yourself with your email ID and details.
After that, you can choose a date and number of people to attend the aarti.
The site will show you how many seats are available for a particular date.
If seats are available, click on book now and make the payment through your preferred mode.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings

Kashi vishwanath temple timings such as the Pooja timings and the darshan timings in the temple are set. So you must keep them in mind to avoid finding the temple closed off for the time being. They happen at scheduled periods, so it is ideal to keep the timings in mind if you wish to attend the Pooja.

The darshan timings in the temple are as follows:

Mornings- 4 am to 11:15 am
Afternoons- 12:20 pm to 7:15 pm
Evenings- 8:30 pm to 9 pm

However, the aartis and poojas in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple are plenty. Here are the five listed aartis and the respective timings for them:

Mangla Aarti – 3 am to 4 pm
Mid Day Bhog Aarti – 11:15 am to 12:20 pm
Sapta Rishi Aarti – 07:15 am to 08:15 pm
Shringar/Bhog Aarti – 9 pm to 10:15 pm
Shayan Aarti – 10:30pm to 11pm

Other events and poojas are listed on the website, but they have dynamic timings. You can find the slots when you are booking them on their official website itself.

What to Eat Around the Temple Premises?

When visiting the temple- you might get hungry after walking around a lot. But not to worry, as you will be merely a walk away from Vishwanath Gali. And you already know that you can find some of the best street food in Varanasi here.

You may get the prasad in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, but it might not be filling enough. You can get the most delicious chaat, golgappas, baati chokha, etc. Drinks like lassi, thandai, and chhach are also available, especially in summer. You can also find great restaurants if you would prefer dining in rather than a snack.

You can visit popular spots like the Vishwanath Chaat Bhandar for yummy golgappas. Blue Lassi offers classic and flavored lassis to cool you down on a hot summer day. There are a lot of unnamed spots to have street food, so you can check them out.

Other Places to Explore Near Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi is placed in one of the most populated areas in the city. So, you will never have a lack of places to explore or things to do. Regardless, here are some of the most popular activities you can do aside from exploring the temple-

Take a Boat Ride at The Dashashwamedh Ghat

Boating is a no-brainer when you’re in the city of lord Shiva. If you walk out of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, you can follow the way to the Dashashwamedh ghat. There you can catch a boat to witness the evening aarti or enjoy the musical events in Varanasi.

Venture into the Kachori Gali Varanasi

The Kachori Gali is very close to the temple vicinity. It offers many classic street food options throughout the day. So, you can visit it once you’re done with the mandir darshan and pooja for a hearty meal.

Shop in Godowlia

Godowlia is a popular market in Varanasi due to its unbelievable prices and various sold goods. You can find authentic chikankari clothing and traditional wear native to Varanasi in the shops here.

Conclusion

The tour of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham is not limited to the mandir darshan. Instead, you can also do many activities in the vicinity. If you know your way around the area, you can enjoy many unique experiences.
The food and activities are enjoyable in this area, as it is one of the busiest areas. But some tips and tricks above will make your search for these easier. So, we hope that our article has been of help to you in exploring the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to get to Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
The best ways to get to the temple would be either on foot or using public transport. Varanasi is infamous for its narrow yet packed streets, so big vehicles would be a bad idea.

Can you book aarti places in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
Yes, now you can make an online booking on the official website and app of the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir. The bookings will yield you passes, which you can use on the day of the aarti.

Is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple far from the city center?
It depends on what you would consider the city center to be, as some think it is the Godowlia area. While some others believe it to be Lahurabir. But regardless of the area, the temple is a 30–50-minute ride away from the most popular spots.