How can I plan a spiritual trip to Varanasi?
Build your days around the sacred hours: Mangala Aarti or dawn on the Ganga, quiet temple visits in the morning, rest and reading in the afternoon, and evening aarti. Include Sarnath for its Buddhist heritage and leave unplanned time on the ghats for reflection.
The itinerary
A suggested plan by our editors, not an official schedule. Times are approximate; check current temple timings and conditions on the day.
Day 1 — Awakening
2:30 AM
Booked in advance on the official portal.
Sunrise
Ask the boatman for a quiet row.
Afternoon
Rest and reading
Try Diana Eck's Banaras: City of Light.
Sunset
From a quieter spot along the ghats.
Day 2 — The temples of Kashi
Morning
Midday
Many devotees recite the Hanuman Chalisa here.
Evening
Booked on the official portal.
Day 3 — Sarnath and reflection
Etiquette for reflective visits
Sit quietly on the upper steps of the ghats rather than the busiest areas; many ashrams and maths hold satsangs and classes — ask locally.
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
- 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
- Why Kashi Is SacredWhy Hindus regard Kashi as sacred: Shiva's city, the promise of liberation (moksha), the Ganga, the Kashi Khanda's sacred geography and how belief shapes the city.
- AartiThe five daily aartis at Kashi Vishwanath — Mangala, Bhog, Sapta Rishi, Shringar and Shayan: published timings, meaning, booking and how to attend.
- Pooja GuideAn explanatory guide to Shiva worship for Kashi pilgrims: bel leaves, Om Namah Shivaya, abhishek, the meaning of offerings and simple personal worship.
- Mangala AartiMangala Aarti at Kashi Vishwanath: the pre-dawn aarti that awakens the deity. Published timing, meaning, official booking, arrival time and documents.
- What Is a Jyotirlinga?What 'Jyotirlinga' means, the Shiva Purana story of the infinite pillar of light, how Jyotirlingas differ from other Shiva lingas, and why pilgrims visit all twelve.
- Bhog AartiThe midday Bhog Aarti at Kashi Vishwanath: the food offering to the deity. Published timing window, meaning, official booking and practical tips.