Live Streaming from Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple, Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi

On the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi (Kashi) stands the Kashi Vishwanath temple, dedicated to Shiva as Vishwanatha—Lord of the Universe. It is counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas and is one of Hinduism's most sacred pilgrimage destinations.

Sthala Mahatmyam

Kashi is traditionally described as Avimukta Kshetra, the place Shiva never abandons. Sacred literature holds that the city rests under Shiva's special protection and that death in Kashi can lead to liberation, with Shiva believed to impart the liberating Taraka mantra to the departing soul. Tradition intimately connects Vishwanath darshan with the sacred Ganga. Hence Kashi represents not merely a temple but the Hindu spiritual ideal of the journey from mortality towards moksha.

Getting there

Fly to Varanasi (VNS) from a major international Indian gateway, or take a train to Varanasi Junction/Banaras station. Continue by verified taxi to the Godowlia or other authorised approach; the final old-city section is often pedestrian and can be crowded. Leave substantial time for traffic and walking. The corridor also has access from the Ganga side, subject to operating arrangements.

Darshan, booking and time on site

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The official portal offers Sugam Darshan and puja bookings. It also publishes a foreign-tourist ticket process at its head-office helpdesk: contact it before planning on that facility, and take the original passport and visa/OCI proof as relevant. Ordinary queue access is separate from paid services. Confirm the current gate and reporting time; festivals can alter both.

Allow at least half a day for the shrine and local transfers, and considerably longer on festival days. Check the official temple source just before setting out; queues, hours, clothing requirements and security rules may change without much notice. A room reservation is not a darshan entitlement.

Dos and don’ts

Electronic gadgets, including phones and smartwatches, are barred inside; lockers are limited. The FAQ also excludes pens, bags and luggage. Leave belongings at your hotel when possible, remove shoes as instructed, and follow security staff. Do not hand your passport or cash to an unofficial guide in the lanes.

Do: carry only essential ID and small cash; arrive before any ticket reporting time; follow staff and posted signs; use official counters and ask for receipts; keep your hotel address in writing.

Don’t: push in queues, photograph where prohibited, pay brokers for “VIP” access, leave valuables unattended, litter or assume that a visitor of another faith has the same access rules at every temple.

Before leaving your country

- Check passport validity and the visa or e-visa rules that apply to your nationality on India’s official visa portal. Keep your entry documents accessible. An OCI holder should carry the OCI document and linked passport.

- Book flights, a hotel and onward transport with time for delays. Temple bookings are separate from travel bookings. Keep an offline copy of confirmations and the original ID used for any temple reservation.

- Indian currency is the rupee (INR). Carry some small-denomination cash; a foreign card or overseas UPI account may not work at every counter. Obtain a local data connection or roaming and save offline maps.

- Wear comfortable clothing that covers shoulders and knees; carry a light scarf, socks for hot stone floors, drinking water and any regular medication. Store shoes and belongings only at staffed or clearly marked facilities.

Contacts and emergency plan

Temple control room: +91 73070 15442 / 15443; helpdesk: +91 70802 92930 / 63931 31608.

Across India, dial 112 for emergency assistance. Save your own embassy/consulate emergency contact, insurer and hotel number. Indian local and toll-free numbers may not connect from abroad; call once in India or use the official website. Numbers and schedules can change: verify them before publication and again before departure.

Source and update note

Travel routes are planning guidance, not a promise of a particular flight, train, road opening or journey time. Checked 29 September 2026.