Which temples should I visit in Varanasi?
The essential ten: Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna Devi, Kal Bhairav, Vishalakshi, Sankat Mochan Hanuman, the Durga Temple, the Shri Vishwanath Temple at BHU, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Kedareshwar at Kedar Ghat, and the Nepali Temple at Lalita Ghat. Add Bharat Mata Mandir and Tilbhandeshwar if you have time.
On this page
The ten
| # | Temple | Why visit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kashi Vishwanath | The Jyotirlinga and heart of Kashi |
| 2 | Annapurna Devi | The provider of Kashi, beside Vishwanath |
| 3 | Kal Bhairav | The guardian of the city |
| 4 | Vishalakshi | Kashi's Shakti Peetha, near the river |
| 5 | Sankat Mochan Hanuman | The Tulsidas tradition |
| 6 | Durga Temple | 18th-century temple and tank |
| 7 | Shri Vishwanath Temple, BHU | A spacious 20th-century temple |
| 8 | Tulsi Manas Mandir | The Ramcharitmanas inscribed on its walls |
| 9 | Kedareshwar, Kedar Ghat | Kashi's Kedarnath |
| 10 | Nepali Temple | Carved wooden Nepali architecture |
The BHU Vishwanath temple
The Shri Vishwanath Temple on the Banaras Hindu University campus — often called the New Vishwanath Temple or Birla Mandir — was built in the mid-20th century with support from the Birla family, as envisioned by the university's founder, Madan Mohan Malaviya. Its tall spire and open grounds make it a calm complement to the old city's crowded shrines.
Vishalakshi
Tulsi Manas Mandir
A modern marble temple near the Durga Temple, dedicated to Rama, with verses of Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas on its walls.
More to see
Bharat Mata Mandir, Tilbhandeshwar and Kashi Karvat.
Temple timings vary; check locally.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism — Varanasi (opens in a new tab)
Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh — Government source, checked September 2026
- Banaras Hindu University (opens in a new tab)
Banaras Hindu University — Scholarly source, checked September 2026
- Banaras: City of Light — Diana L. Eck (Knopf, 1982; Columbia University Press reprint) (opens in a new tab)
Columbia University Press — Scholarly source, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
Related guides
- Nearby TemplesThe temples to visit with Kashi Vishwanath: Annapurna Devi, Kal Bhairav, Sankat Mochan, Durga Temple, Kashi Karvat, Tilbhandeshwar, the Nepali Temple and more.
- One-Day Temple RouteA practical one-day route linking Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna Devi and Kal Bhairav, ending at Dashashwamedh for the Ganga Aarti — with distances, timing and tips.
- 2-Day ItineraryA two-day Varanasi itinerary: Kashi Vishwanath and the old-city temples on day one; a sunrise boat, Assi, Sankat Mochan, Durga Kund and BHU on day two.
- Annapurna DeviAnnapurna Devi Temple beside Kashi Vishwanath: the goddess who feeds Kashi, the temple's history, the Annakut festival, and the statue returned from Canada in 2021.
- Kal BhairavKal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi: why Bhairava is called the kotwal of Kashi, the tradition behind the temple, how to visit with Kashi Vishwanath, and practical tips.
- Kashi KarvatKashi Karvat, the small temple near Kashi Vishwanath where the Shiva linga lies far below street level: its unusual traditions, how darshan works and what to know.