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Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple)
Religious Site

Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple)

India
4.7
(15,000 reviews)
73
Tours Available
Free (for general darshan)
Adult Entry
1-2 hours
Recommended Duration
October-March
Best Time

Overview

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, is one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Shiva temples in Hindu religion.

Temple Pilgrimage Site

Location

Address

Lahora Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Neighborhood: Old Varanasi

Coordinates

25.319600, 83.012800

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM
tuesday 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM
wednesday 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM
thursday 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM
friday 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM
saturday 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM
sunday 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Admission

Adults
Free (for general darshan)
Children
Free

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

October-March

Best Time of Day

Early morning

fewer crowds and peaceful atmosphere

Duration Recommendations

Minimum
30 minutes
Recommended
1-2 hours
Full Experience
half day (includes nearby attractions and ghats)

Seasonal Highlights

spring

warm

  • • Holi festival celebrations

summer

hot

  • • Special aarti during hot days

autumn

cool

  • • Diwali celebrations

winter

cool

  • • Winter aarti with special lamps

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

  • Respect religious customs
  • Dress modestly
  • Remove shoes before entering

What to Bring

essential

ID Water Camera

recommended

Modest clothing Comfortable shoes Offerings for puja (if participating)

seasonal

Winter: Warm clothes Summer: Hat, sunscreen, water bottle

not allowed

Leather items Large bags Non-vegetarian food

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: Low

  • • Can be crowded, be aware of pickpockets
  • • Hot in summer, stay hydrated

Medical facilities: Available nearby

Payment Information

Accepted

Cash, Cards

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR)

Typical Costs

entry Free (for general darshan)
special darshan 500-2000 INR
aarti ticket 200-500 INR
prasad 50-200 INR

Dress Code

Modest clothing, Traditional Indian attire (for both men and women), Must remove shoes before entering, carry a bag to hold them, Shorts, sleeveless tops, revealing clothing

Booking Tips

  • • Not required, but online aarti tickets can be booked 1-2 weeks in advance
  • • Official website or authorized aarti ticket sellers
  • • Varies by seller, typically 24-48 hours for aarti tickets
  • • Available for aarti tickets

Amenities

Restrooms
Gift shop
Atm
Wifi
Lockers
Wheelchair rental
Stroller rental
On site restaurant
Cafe
Picnic areas
Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Size: 20 MB

Features: Temple information, Aarti timings, Nearby attractions, Facilities

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: Courtyards, Near the main entrance

Charging Stations: Designated areas in the courtyard

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport

Distance: 25 km

Travel Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Taxi
500-800 INR 45 min - 1 hour
Public transport
50-100 INR 1.5 - 2 hours

From City Center

Distance: 2-3 km

Rickshaw/auto
50-100 INR 15-20 min
Bus
10-20 INR 20-30 min
Walking
Free 30-45 min

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: Kashi Vishwanath is one of the most sacred temples in Hinduism, and it holds immense spiritual and cultural significance for the people of Varanasi.

Historical Significance: The temple has been a center of faith and worship for centuries, with a rich history of being destroyed and rebuilt multiple times.

Insider Tips

  • The best time to visit is early in the morning for a peaceful experience and to witness the morning aarti
  • The temple can get extremely crowded during festivals and special events, so plan your visit accordingly
  • Local street food near the temple is a must-try, but be cautious with your choices and opt for popular stalls

Local Recommendations

  • • Try local Varanasi street food nearby
  • • Visit the nearby ghats for a complete experience
  • • Take a boat ride on the Ganges at sunset

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello Namaste
thank_you Dhanyavaad
where_is Kahan hai
how_much Kitna hai
beautiful Sundar
ticket Ticket or Prasad ticket for aarti

Guide Languages: English, Hindi, Local dialects

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Main entrance and courtyard

Best Time: Early morning or late afternoon

Tips: Capture the golden dome and the surrounding area

Result: Iconic shots of the temple's architecture

#KashiVishwanath #GoldenTemple #Varanasi

Ganga ghats near the temple

Best Time: Sunset

Tips: Combine the temple and the Ganges in the same frame

Result: Breathtaking views of the temple and the river

#Ganges #VaranasiGhats #SpiritualIndia

Photography Rules

allowed areas Outside the temple, courtyards
prohibited areas Inside the main sanctum, during aarti
flash photography Not allowed during aarti, permitted in other areas
commercial photography Requires special permission
drone policy Prohibited without special permission
tripod policy Allowed in designated areas
selfie sticks Allowed, but be mindful of other devotees

Nearby Attractions

Dashashwamedh Ghat

Distance: 500m

Walking: 7 min

Type: Ghat (Riverfront)

Manikarnika Ghat

Distance: 600m

Walking: 8 min

Type: Ghat (Riverfront)

Banaras Hindu University

Distance: 2.5 km

Walking: 35 min

Type: Educational institution

Sarnath

Distance: 10 km

Walking: Not walkable

Type: Historical and religious site

Reviews

4.7

Based on 15,000 reviews

Recent Visitor Tips

  • " Arrive early in the morning for a peaceful experience"
  • "Participate in the aarti ceremony for a memorable experience"
  • "Explore the nearby ghats and streets for a complete Varanasi experience"

Contact Information

+91 542 231 0940

Social Media

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Quick Info

Available Tours

73

Rating

4.7 / 5.0

Reviews

15,000

Adult Entry

Free (for general darshan)

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