What is general darshan at Kashi Vishwanath?
General darshan is the free, standard way to see the Jyotirlinga. You join the queue after depositing your belongings and passing security. According to the official schedule it runs from about 4 AM after Mangala Aarti until the evening, pausing during the aartis.
On this page
When general darshan is open
On the published schedule, general darshan runs in three windows between the aartis:
| Ritual or window | Published time |
|---|---|
| Temple opens | 2:30 AM |
| Mangala AartiThe official schedule states that ticket holders are permitted during this aarti. | 3:00 – 4:00 AM |
| Morning darshanThe rituals page lists general darshan from 4 to 11 AM, followed by preparations for the midday aarti. | 4:00 AM – late morning |
| Midday Bhog AartiThe rituals page lists 11:30 AM to 12 noon; the official booking page describes the aarti as held between 11:15 AM and 12:20 PM. Allow for the wider window. | About 11:30 AM – 12:00 noon |
| Afternoon darshan | 12:00 noon – 7:00 PM |
| Sapta Rishi Aarti | 7:00 – 8:30 PM |
| Evening darshan | Until 9:00 PM |
| Shringar / Bhog AartiThe rituals page gives a start time only; the aarti usually runs for about an hour. | From 9:00 PM |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30 PM |
| Temple closes | 11:00 PM |
How the queue works
General darshan uses a managed queue that leads through security, the courtyards and into the sanctum. Since the Kashi Vishwanath Dham opened, there is much more space for queuing than in the old lanes, but crowds on peak days still stretch far outside.
- Before the queue: lockers, footwear stand, security check.
- In the sanctum: staff keep the line moving. You will have a brief darshan; it is normal to be asked to move on quickly.
- Offerings: make them as staff direct. On crowded days offerings may not reach the linga directly.
How long it takes
There is no official figure. As a rough guide from visitor experience: on quiet weekday mornings the whole process may take under an hour; on Mondays and holiday weekends expect several hours; on Mahashivratri and Sawan Mondays, much longer. See our queue and crowd guide.
General darshan or Sugam Darshan?
| General darshan | Sugam Darshan | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid (price on the official portal) |
| Booking | Not needed | Online, on the official portal |
| Queue | Standard queue | Separate, faster entry |
| Best for | Most visitors | Limited time, elders, peak days |
Read the Sugam Darshan guide to decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is general darshan free?
Yes. No ticket is needed for general darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Can I do general darshan at night?
Yes — the published schedule has darshan in the evening until about 9 PM. After that the Shringar and Shayan aartis are held and the temple closes at about 11 PM.
Is the queue shorter in the afternoon?
Sometimes, on weekdays, but it is unpredictable. Summer afternoons are also very hot. Early mornings are generally the best bet.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Rituals and daily schedule (opens in a new tab)
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — Official temple source, checked September 2026
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — official web portal (opens in a new tab)
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — Official temple 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
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