🕉 Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Varanasi
Sacred Aarti Schedule
at Kashi Vishwanath
Five daily aartis that have echoed through this sacred city for millennia — timings, rituals, and everything you need to plan your darshan.
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The Living Ritual
A Temple That Has Never Gone Dark
For centuries without pause, the bells and chants of Kashi Vishwanath have marked the hours of every single day. This is not a scheduled performance — it is an unbroken conversation between the city and its presiding deity, Vishweshvara: the Lord of the Universe.
Each aarti has its own mood, its own intention, and its own devoted crowd. Whether you arrive before dawn with the most ardent devotees, or join the grandeur of the evening Sandhya Aarti as lamps illuminate the gold-sheathed shikhara, you are participating in something ancient and alive.
Daily Aarti Schedule
All Five Aartis — Timings & Details
The five daily rituals follow the natural cycle of the day — from deep silence before dawn to the quiet close of night. Timings below are approximate and verified for 2026.
Kashi Vishwanath Aarti Timetable
Updated 2026 schedule · Timings may vary ±15 min on festival days
The most sacred aarti of the day. Shiva is awakened with chants, abhishek, and the waving of lamps. The temple is dense with incense and the air hums with the Shiva Sahasranama. Devotees who attend Mangala Aarti are believed to receive the blessing of a full day’s pilgrimage.
🌙 Arrive by 2:00 AM — queues form well before gates openThe offering of bhog (sacred food) to the Lord. This mid-morning ritual involves presenting naivedya before the deity. The aarti is brief and devotional — a moment of nourishment shared between the divine and the devout.
🍚 Temple briefly closed for the offering — plan your queue earlyAlso called the Saptarishi Aarti — the grandest ritual of the day. Seven priests perform a synchronized aarti with large multi-tiered lamps while conches and bells fill the entire complex. The golden spires glow in the lamplight. First-time visitors should not miss this.
🌆 Arrive by 6:15 PM for a good spot — extremely crowdedThe adornment aarti, where the deity is beautifully decorated with flowers, jewels, and fine garments for the night. Quieter and more intimate than the Sandhya Aarti — a favourite among regular devotees who return again and again for the personal quality of this ritual.
💐 Calmer than Sandhya — ideal if large crowds feel overwhelmingThe closing ritual — bidding the Lord to sleep. The lamps are dimmed, the chanting becomes slower and softer, and the atmosphere turns to sacred stillness. After this, the inner sanctum is sealed until Mangala Aarti begins again before dawn.
🌛 Last entry — gates close shortly after this aarti endsTimings may shift during Mahashivratri, Sawan, Nag Panchami, and Kartik Purnima. Always confirm via the official Kashi Vishwanath Temple portal before visiting.
Ritual Context
What Each Aarti Signifies
The five aartis are not merely ceremonial. Together they map the arc of a divine day — awakening, nourishment, twilight glory, adornment, and rest — mirroring the rhythms of human life and the cosmic cycles of creation.
Attending even one of these rituals connects you to a devotional tradition that has continued in this city, without a single day’s interruption, for longer than most civilizations have existed.
Mangala — Auspicious Awakening
The Lord is roused from sleep with lamps, flowers, and the Shiva Panchakshara mantra. Beginning the day in Shiva’s presence is considered the highest act of devotion.
Bhog — Sacred Nourishment
Food offerings — sweets, fruits, milk preparations — are consecrated before the Lord. Prasad from the Bhog Aarti is believed to carry healing properties.
Saptarishi — The Grand Twilight
Named for the seven ancient sages who worshipped Shiva. Seven priests move in unison with large panchapradip lamps — a spectacle unlike anything else in Varanasi.
Shringar — Divine Adornment
The deity is dressed in the finest ornaments and garlands. This personal, tender ritual reflects the devotee’s intimate relationship with the Lord.
Shayana — The Holy Rest
As the temple prepares for sleep, so does the Lord. The cycle closes here, only to begin again before the world wakes — as it has every day for centuries.
Practical Guidance
Tips for Attending Kashi Vishwanath Aarti
A little preparation turns a chaotic temple visit into a genuinely moving spiritual experience.
Arrive 45–60 Minutes Early
For any aarti, plan to arrive well before the listed start time. Queues for the inner sanctum stretch back hundreds of metres during peak seasons and weekends.
No Mobile Phones Inside
Cameras and mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside the temple. Leave them at the free cloak room near the main gate to avoid confiscation.
Remove Footwear at the Gate
All footwear must be removed before entering. Paid shoe stands are available nearby. Wear footwear that slips on and off quickly.
Dress Modestly
Shoulders and knees should be covered. Carrying a dupatta or stole is advisable for both men and women visiting for the first time.
Book VIP Darshan Online
The temple trust offers priority darshan passes through its official portal. Booking in advance is strongly recommended during festivals or busy weekends.
Reach via Godaulia Crossing
Vehicles cannot enter Vishwanath Gali. Auto-rickshaws drop you at Godaulia; from there it is a 10–15 minute walk through the ancient lanes of Kashi.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mangala Aarti begins at approximately 2:30 AM and concludes by 3:30 AM. This is the earliest and most spiritually significant aarti of the day. Plan to arrive at the temple entrance no later than 2:00 AM to secure entry.
Five aartis are performed every single day: Mangala Aarti (2:30 AM), Bhog Aarti (11:15 AM), Sandhya/Saptarishi Aarti (7:00 PM), Shringar Aarti (9:00 PM), and Shayana Aarti (10:30 PM). This schedule has been maintained continuously for generations.
For first-time visitors, the Sandhya Aarti (Saptarishi Aarti) at 7:00 PM is the most visually spectacular. For the spiritually devoted, the Mangala Aarti at 2:30 AM is considered the most sacred. The Shringar Aarti at 9:00 PM offers a quieter, more intimate experience.
General darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple is free. VIP darshan passes with priority entry can be purchased through the official Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust portal at shrikashivishwanath.org. Special puja participation may involve a nominal offering fee.
Yes. The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust offers online booking for priority darshan slots and VIP passes. Booking in advance is strongly recommended during Mahashivratri, Sawan, and other major festivals when the temple sees very large crowds.
Yes. Timings are adjusted during Sawan (Shravan) month, Mahashivratri, Nag Panchami, and Kartik Purnima — aartis may start earlier and additional rituals are added. Winter months may also see a 15–30 minute shift in evening timings. Always verify on the official temple portal before visiting.
No. Mobile phones and cameras are strictly prohibited inside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex. Cloak rooms near the main gate store them safely and free of charge. Security checks are thorough and devices found inside may be confiscated.
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