Kashi Vishwanath Temple Timings 2026: Aarti Schedule, Sugam Darshan and Mangala Aarti Booking, Rules and Gates
Last verified: September 2026. Ticket prices are set by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust and were revised in early 2026; sources still disagree on some figures, and festival-day rates are higher. Confirm on shrikashivishwanath.org before you book.
Kashi Vishwanath is the Jyotirlinga at the centre of the oldest living city in India, and since the corridor opened in December 2021 it has been one of the most visited temples in the country — over a lakh pilgrims on ordinary days, several lakh on Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri. The free queue can run two to eight hours. The trust runs a ticketed system that avoids that, but the options are confusingly named and the prices keep moving. This guide sets them out as they stand, with the timings, the gates, and what to combine with a visit.
Temple Timings
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Temple opens | 2:30 – 3:00 AM |
| Mangala Aarti (ticketed) | 3:00 – 4:00 AM |
| General darshan | 4:00 – 11:00 AM |
| Bhog Aarti (ticketed); darshan paused | 11:15 AM – 12:20 PM |
| General darshan resumes | 12:30 – 7:00 PM |
| Saptarishi / Sandhya Aarti (ticketed); darshan paused | 7:00 – 8:15 PM |
| General darshan | 8:15 – 9:00 PM |
| Shringar Aarti (ticketed) | 9:00 – 10:15 PM |
| Shayan Aarti; temple closes | 10:30 – 11:00 PM |
Darshan is suspended during each aarti; paid Sugam Darshan slots run only in the general darshan windows. On Shravan Mondays and Mahashivratri the temple stays open around the clock with a modified aarti schedule announced by the trust.
Darshan and Aarti Options
| Option | Cost (2026) | What you get | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|
| General darshan | Free | Regular queue; 1–3 hours weekdays, 3–8 hours weekends, Mondays and festivals | Walk in via Gate 4 (Godowlia side) or the Ganga Dwar |
| Sugam Darshan (the “VIP” line) | ₹250 on regular days; some listings show ₹300 — check the portal | Dedicated queue, 30–60 minutes; same darshan, no touching | shrikashivishwanath.org → Online Services → Ticket Booking |
| Sparsh Darshan | ₹300 on ordinary days, higher on festivals | Touch the linga; limited daily slots; suspended during peak periods | Online, book 2–15 days ahead |
| Mangala Aarti | ₹500 per person (raised from ₹250 in January 2026; quota now about 500 a day) | Seated inside for the 3 AM aarti — the calmest hour in Kashi | Online, sells out days ahead; weeks ahead for festivals |
| Bhog, Saptarishi, Shringar, Shayan Aarti | Around ₹300 each | Seated attendance at the respective aarti | Online |
| Rudrabhishek | From about ₹450 (one priest) upwards | Performed on your behalf or in your presence | Online or trust office |
Only shrikashivishwanath.org and the official “Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham” app are authorised. Dozens of sites use “Kashi Vishwanath booking” in their names; agents resell the same tickets at a markup or sell nothing.
How to Book Online
- Go to shrikashivishwanath.org or install the official app. Register with mobile number and email; verify by OTP.
- Online Services → Ticket Booking. Choose the type (Sugam Darshan, Sparsh, or an aarti), date and slot.
- Enter each person’s name, age and ID number. Aadhaar for Indian nationals; passport for others.
- Pay online and download the e-ticket. Carry a printed copy — the gate scanners have refused phone screens in the past, and the helpdesk near Gate 2 can print if you forgot.
- Report 30–45 minutes before the slot at the gate printed on the ticket. Mangala Aarti holders report 2:00–2:30 AM.
Rules Inside
- No mobile phones, cameras, bags, belts, leather, pens or electronics. Free lockers at each gate; leave everything at the hotel if you can, because locker queues are their own wait.
- Dress modestly. For Mangala Aarti and Sparsh Darshan, traditional wear (dhoti or saree) is required.
- Footwear at the shoe stands outside the gates.
- Milk, bilva leaves and flowers for offering are sold inside the corridor.
- Security is airport-style with multiple checks. Budget 20–30 minutes from gate to sanctum even on a paid ticket.
- Non-Hindus are allowed into the temple complex.
The Corridor and the Gates
The Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor links the temple directly to the Ganga at Lalita Ghat. Entry to the corridor is free and it is worth walking through at dusk when it is lit. The gates that matter:
- Ganga Dwar (Gate 1) — from Lalita Ghat and the river side; the scenic approach.
- Gate 2 (Saraswati Phatak) — helpdesk and ticket printing.
- Gate 4 (Godowlia / Vishwanath Gali) — the traditional entry through the lanes; general queue starts here.
Around the Temple
- Dashashwamedh Ghat — five minutes’ walk; the Ganga Aarti at about 6:30 PM (7 PM in summer). Arrive by 6 for a spot on the steps or book a boat.
- Annapurna Temple — beside the corridor; darshan 4 AM–11 AM and 4–11 PM.
- Kaal Bhairav Temple — the city’s guardian deity, 2 km; 5 AM–1:30 PM, 4:30–9:30 PM. Many pilgrims consider the Kashi visit incomplete without it.
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple — 5 km, Tuesdays and Saturdays busy.
- Manikarnika Ghat — the cremation ghat, ten minutes’ walk along the river.
- Sarnath — 10 km; the deer park where the Buddha first taught; half a day.
How to Reach Varanasi
- Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Babatpur, 25 km from the temple, 1–1.5 hours by taxi. Flights from every major Indian city.
- Rail: Varanasi Junction (Cantt), 4 km; Banaras (Manduadih), 5 km; Kashi station on the Vande Bharat route from Delhi. Autos and e-rickshaws to Godowlia, then a 10-minute walk — vehicles are barred from the lanes.
- Road: Lucknow 300 km, Prayagraj 120 km, Patna 250 km. Buses from all three.
Where to Stay
Godowlia and the ghats (Dashashwamedh, Assi) are walkable to the temple; guest houses and heritage havelis, noisy but atmospheric. Cantt and the Sigra area have larger hotels and are 15–25 minutes away by auto. The trust’s own guest houses are bookable on the portal.
Best Time to Visit
October to March. Summer is 40°C+; monsoon floods the lower ghats. Peak crowds: Shravan (July–August, every Monday), Mahashivratri (February/March), Dev Deepawali (Kartik Purnima, November — the ghats lit with a million lamps; hotels booked months ahead), Rangbhari Ekadashi (March). For a calm Mangala Aarti, a Tuesday to Thursday in winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Kashi Vishwanath temple timings?
Open about 3 AM to 11 PM, with darshan paused during the five aartis and a break from about 11 AM to 12:30 PM.
How much is Sugam Darshan?
₹250 on regular days at the trust portal; some listings show ₹300 and festival days cost more. Check the portal for your date.
How much is Mangala Aarti?
₹500 per person since January 2026, for the 3 AM aarti. About 500 tickets a day.
Is there a dress code?
Modest dress for general darshan; dhoti or saree for Mangala Aarti and Sparsh Darshan.
Can I take my phone inside?
No. Free lockers at every gate.
Can non-Hindus enter?
Yes.
Which is the official booking site?
shrikashivishwanath.org and the official Kashi Vishwanath Dham app only.
Verified against the trust’s portal and recent pilgrim reports, September 2026. Spotted a change? Email info@themandiryatra.com.
Editor at The Mandir Yatra. Covers the Himalayan and northern yatras (Kedarnath, Vaishno Devi, Govardhan, Narmada Parikrama) and the southern and eastern temples (Tirupati, Kanyakumari, Srikalahasti, Draksharamam, Jagannath Puri, Kamakhya). Every guide is checked against the temple trust’s official schedule before publishing and carries a last-verified date.
