The living heart of Kashi

Kashi Vishwanath

A timeless shrine to Shiva, where the ancient lanes of Varanasi open toward the Ganga.

Vishwanath Gali · Varanasi

A shrine through the centuries

Where Shiva is worshipped as Vishwanath, Lord of the Universe.

Set in the old city near the Ganga, Kashi Vishwanath is one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage sites and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas associated with Lord Shiva. Pilgrims come for darshan, prayer and a connection to the sacred city of Kashi.

Kashi · the city beside the Ganga

History & renewal

A place rebuilt.
A faith uninterrupted.

The temple’s history reflects centuries of devotion and change. The present temple was built in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar. In 1839, Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated gold to cover two of its domes.

Today, the shrine remains woven into everyday life in Varanasi. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor creates a more open connection between the temple precinct and the riverfront, while the surrounding lanes retain the close, bustling character of the old city.

Temple history from the official portal

Beyond the darshan

A few things to know

Small details that make the visit richer.

One of twelve Jyotirlingas

Devotees revere Kashi Vishwanath as one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

Rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar

The present temple was built by the Maratha queen, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar.

Temple and river, joined

The corridor links the temple precinct with the Ganga, bringing the river into the pilgrimage experience.

Gold offered by Ranjit Singh

Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated gold for two temple domes, a lasting royal offering.

The rhythm of worship

A day shaped
by prayer.

Daily rituals mark the hours, from the stillness before dawn to the final prayer of night.

Timings can change on special days. Please confirm the current schedule with the temple before your visit.

Check official ritual schedule

3:00–4:00 am

Mangala Aarti

Early morning worship

11:15 am–12:20 pm

Bhog Aarti

Midday offering

7:00–8:30 pm

Sandhya / Sapta Rishi Aarti

Evening worship

9:00–10:15 pm

Shringar-Bhog Aarti

Adornment and offering

10:30–11:00 pm

Shayan Aarti

Night prayer

A moment of devotion

Listen to a Shiva sloka

Pause, breathe, and listen before your visit.

Add your AAC audio at public/audio/kashi-vishwanath-sloka.aac

Before you go

Make space for the moment.

Entry arrangements, security checks and rules for personal belongings can change. Check the official temple guidance before setting out, especially on festival days.

Read visitor notes

At the meeting of city and river, prayer becomes part of the day.

Plan your Kashi visit