How do you do a Kashi pilgrimage?
A common pattern is: bathe in or offer water at the Ganga, take darshan of Kashi Vishwanath, then Annapurna Devi and Kal Bhairav, and attend the evening Ganga Aarti. Many pilgrims add a dawn boat ride, other temples such as Sankat Mochan, and family rites such as shraddha. Two to three days allows an unhurried visit.
On this page
The core of a Kashi pilgrimage
Families and communities have their own customs, but many pilgrims follow a pattern like this:
- Ganga snan — a ritual bath at the Ganga, or at least touching and sprinkling its water. Dashashwamedh and other ghats are popular. See the Ganga.
- Kashi Vishwanath darshan — the heart of the pilgrimage. See the darshan guide.
- Annapurna Devi — the goddess of nourishment, beside Vishwanath.
- Kal Bhairav — the guardian of Kashi. Many seek his darshan at the beginning or end of the stay.
- Ganga Aarti — the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
The temple route
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Start early. Deposit phone and bags in the official lockers before joining the queue.
Short walk in the temple lanes
Annapurna Devi TempleA few minutes' walk in the lanes beside Vishwanath; traditionally visited together.
Roughly 2 km — e-rickshaw or 25–30 min walk
Kal Bhairav TempleThe guardian of Kashi. Take an e-rickshaw or walk through Maidagin.
Roughly 2–3 km — e-rickshaw to Godowlia, then walk
Dashashwamedh GhatArrive well before sunset to find a place for the evening aarti.
On the ghat itself
Ganga AartiWatch from the steps or from a boat on the river.
Distances and times are rough estimates for planning. Lanes close to the temple are pedestrian-only and crowd levels vary widely.
Other important shrines
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman
- Durga Temple
- Vishalakshi, Kashi's Shakti Peetha, near Manikarnika
- Tilbhandeshwar and Kedareshwar at Kedar Ghat
See the full list of temples near Kashi Vishwanath.
Family rites
Many families come to Kashi for rites for their ancestors (shraddha, pind daan) or to immerse ashes (asthi visarjan) in the Ganga. These are performed by family priests (pandas) at the ghats and at sites such as Pishach Mochan Kund. Agree the rites and fees clearly in advance.
How long to stay
| Stay | What you can do |
|---|---|
| 1 day | Vishwanath, Annapurna, Kal Bhairav, Ganga Aarti |
| 2 days | Add a dawn boat ride and the southern temples |
| 3 days | Add Sarnath and a slower pace |
See the suggested 1-day, 2-day and 3-day itineraries, or use the pilgrimage planner.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Should I visit Kal Bhairav first?
It is a popular custom to seek Kal Bhairav's darshan at the start or end of a Kashi pilgrimage. Practices vary; there is no single rule.
How many days are needed for a Kashi pilgrimage?
One day covers the main temples and the Ganga Aarti; two to three days allow an unhurried visit.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- 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
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — official web portal (opens in a new tab)
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust — Official temple source, checked September 2026
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism — Varanasi (opens in a new tab)
Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh — Government 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
- Temple GuideEverything about Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi: Jyotirlinga significance, history, the golden spire, the Dham corridor, darshan, timings, rules and nearby temples.
- Nearby TemplesThe temples to visit with Kashi Vishwanath: Annapurna Devi, Kal Bhairav, Sankat Mochan, Durga Temple, Kashi Karvat, Tilbhandeshwar, the Nepali Temple and more.
- Kashi Pilgrimage ItineraryA two-day Kashi pilgrimage itinerary following the traditional sequence: Ganga snan, Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna, Kal Bhairav, Vishalakshi and the key shrines of Kashi.
- Pilgrimage ChecklistA printable, downloadable Kashi pilgrimage checklist: what to prepare before leaving home, what to check before entering the temple, and what to do after darshan.
- Kashi YatraKashi Yatra explained: the Panchakroshi Parikrama around Kashi's sacred boundary, its five halts, other pilgrim circuits and what 'going to Kashi' means.
- 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.