One of Lord Shiva's twelve Jyotirlingas — Varanasi's holiest, most-visited temple.
Kashi Vishwanath is in Varanasi. Entry is Free for Indian visitors. It opens open about 2:30 am to 11:00 pm. Open all week. The best time is Early morning, for the calmest darshan.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Present temple | 1780, by Ahilyabai Holkar |
| Deity | Lord Shiva, as Vishwanath |
| Rank | One of 12 Jyotirlingas |
| Corridor | Links the temple to the Ganga |
| Location | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
Kashi Vishwanath is Varanasi's holiest temple. It honours Lord Shiva, the lord of the universe. It is one of Lord Shiva's twelve sacred Jyotirlingas.
The present temple was built in 1780. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore funded it. A grand corridor now links it to the Ganga.
Free darshan is open to all. A paid fast-track ticket is available. Phones and cameras are not allowed inside.
Sources: Shri Kashi Vishwanath — official · Kashi Vishwanath — Wikipedia · UP Tourism.
A golden-spired shrine at the heart of the old city.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deity | Lord Shiva, worshipped as Vishwanath |
| Built | 1780, by Ahilyabai Holkar |
| Corridor | Opened to connect temple and river |
| Spire | Plated in gold |
Key facts and figures — every data point links to its source.
| Detail | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Present temple | 1780, by Ahilyabai Holkar | Wikipedia |
| Earlier temple razed | 1669, by Aurangzeb | Wikipedia |
| Gold on the spire | about 1 tonne (1835) | Wikipedia |
| Spire height | 15.5 m | Wikipedia |
| Rank | one of 12 Jyotirlingas | Wikipedia |
| Corridor opened | 13 December 2021 | kashi.gov.in |
| Corridor cost | ₹355 crore | kashi.gov.in |
| Precinct grew to | about 5 lakh sq ft | kashi.gov.in |
| Temples restored | 40, in the project | kashi.gov.in |
| Rebuilt after | Aurangzeb's 1669 demolition | Wikipedia |
| Beside | the Gyanvapi site | Wikipedia |
| Devotees | huge daily crowds | Wikipedia |
Kashi Vishwanath is Varanasi's holiest temple. It honours Lord Shiva as Vishwanath. It is one of twelve Jyotirlingas.
The present shrine dates to 1780. Queen Ahilyabai Holkar built it. An earlier temple was razed in 1669.
The spire is plated in gold. About a tonne was donated. Ranjit Singh gave it in 1835.
The gold shikhara rises 15.5 metres. It glows over the old city. Pilgrims queue day and night.
A grand corridor opened in 2021. It links the temple to the Ganga. It cost about 355 crore rupees.
The precinct grew hugely. It reached about five lakh square feet. Forty old temples were restored.
Kashi is Lord Shiva's own city. This temple is its heart. It is a supreme Hindu shrine.
The shrine has risen many times. It was razed and rebuilt. Ahilyabai built the present one.
Its gold spire is a landmark. Ranjit Singh gilded it. It glows over the lanes.
Phones are barred inside. Security is strict. Dress modestly to enter.
A vast corridor now serves it. It links the temple to the river. It opened in 2021.
Pilgrims queue day and night. Festivals bring huge crowds. Go early for a calm darshan.
Varanasi is Lord Shiva's city. This temple is its core. Pilgrims call it Kashi.
The shrine has been rebuilt often. Rulers razed and restored it. Ahilyabai built today's temple.
Gold sheathes its spire. A Sikh king gave it. It shines above the lanes.
A vast corridor now leads down. It reaches the Ganga's edge. It opened in 2021.
No phones go inside. Security is strict. Dress modestly to enter.
Go before dawn for calm. Queues grow through the day. Festivals bring huge crowds.
Sources: Shri Kashi Vishwanath — official · Kashi Vishwanath — Wikipedia · UP Tourism.
Room by room, and detail by detail.
Sources: Shri Kashi Vishwanath — official · Kashi Vishwanath — Wikipedia · UP Tourism.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1669 | The earlier temple is razed. |
| 1780 | Ahilyabai builds the present temple. |
| 1835 | Ranjit Singh gilds the spire. |
| 2021 | The Vishwanath Corridor opens. |
Sources: Shri Kashi Vishwanath — official · Kashi Vishwanath — Wikipedia · UP Tourism.
Fees and timings change from time to time. Confirm on the official site before you go.
| Visitor | Ticket |
|---|---|
| General darshan | Free |
| Sugam (fast-track) darshan | ₹250 |
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open about 2:30 AM to 11:00 PM. Darshan pauses midday. |
| Weekly closing | Open all week. |
| Best time to visit | Early morning, for the calmest darshan. |
| How long to allow | Allow one to two hours, with queues. |
Sources: Shri Kashi Vishwanath — official · Kashi Vishwanath — Wikipedia · UP Tourism.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Location | In the old-city lanes, near the ghats |
| Nearest station | Varanasi Junction, about 5 km |
| Mode | Best for | Book / source |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air | Reaching Varanasi from afar | IndiGo |
| 🚆 Rail | Trains across India | IRCTC |
| 🚕 Taxi / app cab | Door-to-door comfort | Uber / Ola |
| 🛺 Auto-rickshaw | Short local hops | meter / app |
The temple sits in narrow lanes near Dashashwamedh Ghat. Walk the last stretch.
Plan around India's seasons. Early morning, for the calmest darshan.
| Season | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Oct–Mar | Cool, dry, pleasant | Best time to visit |
| ☀️ Apr–Jun | Hot on the plains | Go early; carry water |
| 🌧️ Jul–Sep | Warm, monsoon showers | Fewer crowds, green views |
Base yourself in Varanasi to visit with ease. It has stays for every budget. Book ahead in the cool season. Compare hotels on Booking.com. Find homes on Airbnb. See our Varanasi guide for the best areas.
Cameras and phones are not allowed.
Cover shoulders and legs.
Queues are shortest at dawn.
A good guide brings the history alive.
Shade can be limited here.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 🎫 Entry (Indian) | Free |
| 🎫 Entry (foreign) | ₹250 |
| 🧑🏫 Local guide | ₹300–800 for a tour |
| 📷 Camera / video | Often a small extra fee |
| 🚕 Transport | ₹100–500 by auto or cab |
Costs are indicative. Confirm official rates on site.
Pair Kashi Vishwanath with sights close by. Together they make a full, rewarding day. Start early to beat the crowds and heat.
General darshan is free. A fast-track ticket costs about ₹250.
It opens about 2:30 AM to 11 PM. With a midday pause.
No. Phones and cameras are not allowed inside.
It is one of Lord Shiva's twelve sacred Jyotirlingas.
Location: In the old-city lanes. Near the ghats; Nearest station: Varanasi Junction, about 5 km.
Early morning, for the calmest darshan.
Allow one to two hours, with queues.
Yes. One of Lord Shiva's twelve Jyotirlingas — Varanasi's holiest, most-visited temple.
You can also visit Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sarnath, Varanasi guide.
Stay in Varanasi. See our Varanasi guide.
Keep exploring around Varanasi.
