Darshan in Kashi, made simple.
The independent guide to Shri Kashi Vishwanath and Varanasi — for international travellers and pilgrims from South & West India. Honest timings, clear rules, and help when you need it.
Free trip planning English-speaking help Official links, no ticket touts
Beware of scammers on the ghats. Touts and self-styled “guides” or “priests” roam the Ganga ghats and temple lanes, offering VIP darshan, pujas, boat rides or “donations for cremation wood”. Never pay anyone in advance, and never pay for a service before you have actually received it. Book temple services only through the official trust.
Why Kashi
The oldest living city, and the abode of Shiva.
Hindus have come to Kashi for thousands of years — to see Vishwanath, the Lord of the Universe, to bathe in the Ganga, and, for many, to end life’s journey here. You don’t need to know the rituals to feel it. You just need a little help with the logistics.
- 12
- Jyotirlingas — Kashi Vishwanath is one of the most revered
- 84+
- ghats along roughly 6.5 km of the Ganga
- 5
- daily aartis inside the temple, from 3 AM to 11 PM
- ~25 km
- from Varanasi airport (VNS) to the temple
Made for you
Coming from far away? We wrote this for you.
Most Varanasi guides assume you live next door and speak Hindi. Ours start from where you are.
From abroad
First time in India? Start here.
e-Visa, flights into Varanasi, cash and UPI, SIM cards, what to wear, how temple entry works for foreign nationals, and the scams to sidestep on the ghats.
From South India
Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi.
Direct flights and the long-distance trains that matter, South Indian mutts and choultries near Kedar and Hanuman Ghat, idli-dosa near the river, and how to fit Prayagraj and Bodh Gaya in.
From West India
Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat.
Fastest flights and overnight trains from Maharashtra and Gujarat, Gujarati and Marwari dharamshalas, pure-veg Jain-friendly food, and pairing Kashi with Ayodhya.
Don’t miss
Six moments that make a Kashi yatra.
01
Mangala Aarti
The first aarti of the day, before dawn, inside the sanctum. Book tickets well in advance on the official site.
02
Sunrise boat ride
Drift from Assi to Manikarnika as the ghats wake up — bathers, chanting, the first light on the water.
03
Walk the ghats
Eighty-four ghats, each with its own story — from Assi in the south to Manikarnika and beyond.
04
Evening Ganga Aarti
Synchronised lamps, conches and bells at Dashashwamedh. Watch from the steps or from a boat.
05
The people of Kashi
Sadhus, boatmen, priests and pilgrims — the city is its people. Always ask before you photograph.
06
Night on the river
Row past the lit-up ghats after the aarti, when the city goes quiet and golden.
How darshan works
Three ways to see Baba Vishwanath.
Every option ends at the same sanctum. What changes is how long you queue and whether you attend an aarti.
General darshan
FreeJoin the queue at any open gate. Waits range from 30 minutes on quiet mornings to several hours on Mondays and festivals.
Sugam darshan
About ₹250 · official siteA faster, separate queue with an escort, a free locker and laddu prasad. Book online on the temple trust website for your time slot.
Aarti tickets
Paid · limitedAttend Mangala, Bhog, Saptarishi, Shringar or Shayan aarti inside the temple. Mangala sells out first.
Kashi, as it is
Dawn mist, evening fire, and everything in between.
Photographs · Abhishek Dixit & others
