Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Varanasi

• PlaceVishwanath Gali, Varanasi City, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
• Presiding deityShiva

Traveller Note: Mobile phones, cameras, electronic items and leather goods are not permitted in the temple; obtain Sugam Darshan and aarti tickets only through the official channels of the temple trust.

Scriptural and Historical Significance

• Puranic Reference: The Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita) and the Kashi Khand of the Skanda Purana call Kashi Shiva's beloved city, the "Avimukta Kshetra" (the region never forsaken); it is believed that even at the pralaya (cosmic dissolution) Shiva holds this city safe upon His trident, and that He grants the Taraka Mantra to those who leave their bodies here.
• Invasions and Reconstruction: In 1194 CE the army of Qutbuddin Aibak destroyed the temple; the temple later rebuilt was damaged again. In 1585 CE Pt. Narayan Bhatt rebuilt it with the support of Raja Todar Mal; in 1669 CE it was demolished on the orders of Aurangzeb and the Gyanvapi Mosque was built on the site.
• Present Temple: The present temple was built in 1780 CE by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. Around 1835 CE Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab donated gold for gilding the shikhara and domes.
• Kashi Vishwanath Dham: The "Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham" corridor, connecting the temple directly to the Ganga bank (Lalita Ghat), was dedicated to the public on 13 December 2021.

Key Features, Architecture, Rituals and Aarti

• Style: A Nagara-style temple whose two shikharas and dome are gold-plated, for which reason it is also called the "Golden Temple".
• Garbhagriha: A linga of black stone, approx. two feet high, is installed on a silver altar; the complex contains small shrines of Avimukteshwar, Dandapani, Vishnu, Vinayaka, Shanishwar and others.
• Gyanvapi Well: Located between the temple and the mosque, this well is held to be extremely sacred in tradition.
• Aartis: Five aartis daily — Mangala Aarti (approx. 3:00 AM), Bhog Aarti (approx. 11:15 AM), Saptarishi Aarti (approx. 7:00 PM; it is believed to be performed on behalf of the Saptarishis, the seven sages), Shringar/Bhog Aarti (approx. 9:00 PM) and Shayan Aarti (approx. 10:30 PM).

Best Time to Visit, Timings and Festivals

• Best Season: October to March; the illumination of the ghats with lamps on Dev Deepawali (Kartik Purnima) is a sight to behold.
• Daily Darshan: Approx. 3:00 AM (Mangala Aarti) to 11:00 PM; general darshan pauses temporarily during the aartis (Timings are subject to change; please confirm with the temple trust before travelling.)
• Major Festivals: Mahashivratri, Shravan month (Kanwar pilgrims and the special Monday shringar), Rangbhari Ekadashi (the Gauna festival on Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi), Annakut and Dev Deepawali.

How to Reach

• By Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Babatpur — approx. 25 km.
• By Rail: Varanasi Junction (Cantt) approx. 5 km; Banaras Station (formerly Manduadih) approx. 6 km; Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction approx. 17 km.
• By Road: By national highway from Prayagraj (approx. 125 km), Lucknow and Patna; beyond Godowlia Chowk, proceed on foot or by e-rickshaw to the entrance of the Dham.

Nearby Spiritual and Other Places

• Dashashwamedh Ghat: Evening Ganga Aarti — approx. 0.5 km.
• Annapurna Temple and Vishalakshi Temple (Shaktipeeth): Near the temple complex — approx. 0.2–0.5 km.
• Manikarnika Ghat: Approx. 0.5 km.
• Kaal Bhairav Temple: The Kotwal (guardian) of Kashi — approx. 2 km.
• Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple: Associated with Goswami Tulsidas — approx. 5 km.
• Sarnath: Site of the Buddha's first sermon — approx. 10 km.

Photos

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Sources 1

• Major Temples, Tirthas & Dhams of India (Avyani project reference, EN + HI editions, Sep 2026)

Where a tradition is told differently from region to region or from one sampradaya to another, the tellings are given side by side.

Darshan timings, portal dates, registration rules and distances are approximate and change from time to time; please confirm with the official notices of the temple trust or administration before travelling.