Varanasi is also commonly known as Kashi and Banaras or Benares is a city located besides of the River Ganga in the state of Uttar Pradesh – India regarded as sacred by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Varanasi is one of the oldest populated cities in the world.

Baranasi is a holy city in Hinduism, being one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for Hindus. More than 1,000,000 pilgrims visit the Varanasi city every year. It has the temple of Lord Kashi Vishwanath (Lord Shiva), Varanasi city is also one the Shakti Peethas and one of the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in India. According to myths, Lord Shiva on one occasion in fact lived in Varanasi (Kashi)

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

It is in the heart of this city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world.

The Temple opens daily at 2.30a.m. in Mangala Aarati 3 to 4 a.m. ticket holders are permitted to join. From 4 to 11 a.m. general Darshan is allowed. 11.30 to 12 a.m. mid day Bhog Aarati is done. Again 12 noon to 7 p.m. devotees are free to have darshan. From 7 to 8.30 p.m. evening Sapta Rishi Aarati is done after which darshan is again possible uptill 9 p.m. when Shringar/Bhog Aarati starts. After 9 p.m. Darshan from out side only is possible. Shayana Aarti starts at 10.30p.m.The Temple closes at 11p.m.

ARTI-DARSHAN