Walk through an old lane early in the morning and you may hear temple bells before you see the shrine. Turn another corner and you may find a tiny Shiva lingam beneath an ancient banyan tree, a Hanuman shrine beside a busy market, or a centuries-old temple squeezed between homes and shops. Along the ghats, in narrow galis, inside university grounds, and around quiet neighbourhoods, temples are woven deeply into the character of Kashi.
For a first-time visitor, this can also make temple sightseeing confusing: Which temples should you visit first? Is Kashi Vishwanath enough, or are there other important shrines that form part of the spiritual experience of Varanasi? Which temples can be combined in one route? And which places are worth visiting even if you are interested more in history, culture, and architecture than pilgrimage? This guide brings the essential temples of Varanasi together in one structured resource.
Why Are the Temples of Varanasi So Important?
The spiritual identity of Varanasi is closely connected with Lord Shiva. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva, stands at the heart of the city's pilgrimage tradition and is revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. But the religious landscape of Kashi extends far beyond a single shrine.
There are temples dedicated to Shiva in his many cosmic forms, to Goddess Durga and other manifestations of Shakti, to Hanuman, Vishnu, Ganesha, and Bhairava. There are also ancient pilgrimage routes connecting groups of shrines, sacred wells, kunds, and ghats.
This is what makes temple exploration in Varanasi fundamentally different from visiting a conventional heritage city: You are not simply moving from monument to monument—you are entering a living religious landscape. At some temples, people arrive before sunrise for darshan. At others, neighbourhood families stop briefly on their way to work. Understanding this living character makes the experience far more meaningful.
1. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple – The Spiritual Heart of Varanasi
For most pilgrims, the natural starting point is Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is among the most revered pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. The present structure is associated with Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, who rebuilt it in the 18th century. The temple's golden spires, plated with gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1835, later became one of its most recognisable features.
The temple sits in the dense old-city environment close to the Ganga. The 2021 development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has created a spacious, direct connection between the temple complex and the riverfront at Lalita Ghat, while preserving the sacred sanctity of the core sanctum.
Security & Timing
Security is rigorous: mobile phones, cameras, smartwatches, and leather belts are prohibited. Utilize the free biometric electronic lockers at Gate 4 (Chhatta Dwar).
Sugam & Aarti Passes
Book Mangala Aarti (3 AM) or ₹300 Sugam Darshan passes in advance on the official portal (shrikashivishwanath.org) to minimize queue times.
2. Maa Annapurna Temple – A Sacred Stop Near Kashi Vishwanath
Located just steps away from Kashi Vishwanath inside the old city, Maa Annapurna Temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, the deity of food, nourishment, and sustenance. According to belief, Lord Shiva himself begged for alms from Goddess Annapurna to feed the residents of Kashi.
Its location makes it seamless to combine with Kashi Vishwanath. Travellers interested in the traditional spiritual circuit should avoid rushing directly out of the area after Vishwanath darshan. Spend time walking through the surrounding lanes, where Annapurna Mandir provides free daily Annakoot prasad to visiting pilgrims.
3. Kaal Bhairav Temple – The Traditional Guardian of Kashi
If Kashi Vishwanath represents the spiritual soul of Shiva worship, Kaal Bhairav Temple represents the fierce, protective authority of Kashi's religious tradition. Revered as the Kotwal (Chief Police Officer / Guardian Deity) of Kashi, tradition dictates that every pilgrim must seek Kaal Bhairav's permission before entering or leaving the holy city.
Situated in Visheshwarganj near Maidagin, the temple has an intense local character. Priests bestow black protective sacred threads (Kashi Dhaga) and peacock-feather blessings upon devotees. Visiting Kaal Bhairav provides a raw, authentic window into the centuries-old devotional routines of local Banarasis.
4. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple – Faith, Music & Local Devotion
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is one of the most beloved shrines in southern Varanasi. Located near Banaras Hindu University and the Assi area, it was established by Goswami Tulsidas, author of the Ramcharitmanas. "Sankat Mochan" translates to the Reliever of Troubles.
The temple is renowned for its peaceful, open courtyard and troops of resident monkeys. It becomes extraordinarily vibrant on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Sankat Mochan is also deeply tied to the city's classical music legacy through the annual Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, where India's greatest classical maestros perform all night as an offering to the deity.
5. Durga Kund Temple – The Red Temple of Varanasi
With its striking ochre-red multi-tiered shikhara and adjoining sacred water tank, Durga Temple at Durga Kund is visually distinct from other shrines in Varanasi. Built in the 18th century by a Bengali Maharani, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga in her fierce Chandika form.
The temple draws immense gatherings during Navratri. Even during ordinary months, its proximity to Tulsi Manas Mandir and Sankat Mochan makes it an essential anchor for any southern Varanasi temple circuit.
6. Tulsi Manas Mandir – Where Devotion Meets Literature
A short walk from Durga Kund stands Tulsi Manas Mandir, constructed in 1964 out of pristine white marble. The temple stands on the historic ground where Goswami Tulsidas lived and composed the Ramcharitmanas. The entire text of the epic Ramayana is engraved into the marble walls, accompanied by charming moving mechanical dioramas illustrating scenes from Lord Rama's life. Its spacious, peaceful gardens make it especially comfortable for families and senior citizens.
7. New Vishwanath Temple (Birla Temple) at BHU
Inside the sprawling, green campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) stands the New Vishwanath Temple (VT). Envisioned by Bharat Ratna Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and financed by the Birla family, this modern marvel features a 77-meter-tall marble tower—making it one of the tallest temple spires in the world.
The contrast with the ancient Kashi Vishwanath is striking: while the old temple is packed inside historic galis, Birla Temple sits within serene lawns, welcoming people of all castes, creeds, and backgrounds without restrictions.
8. Vishalakshi Temple – Sacred Shakti Peeth Near Manikarnika
Tucked in the lanes near Manikarnika Ghat lies Maa Vishalakshi Temple, dedicated to the "Wide-Eyed Goddess". Revered as one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas (where Sati's earrings or third eye are said to have fallen), it is a vital stop for Shakta pilgrims. Approaching this temple through the historic galis offers a deep spiritual perspective on the relationship between life, divine feminine energy, and liberation at the cremation riverfront.
9. Adi Keshav Temple – Beyond the Usual Tourist Circuit
Located in northern Varanasi at the confluence of the Varuna and Ganga rivers near Rajghat, Adi Keshav Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Legend holds that Vishnu first stepped into Kashi here before Lord Shiva's arrival. The quiet, elevated river bluffs offer breathtaking views and an escape from the central crowds.
10. Sankatha Devi Temple & Bharat Mata Temple
• Sankatha Devi Temple: Perched above Sankatha Ghat, this 18th-century shrine honors the goddess who averts perils (Sankat). It is deeply cherished by local neighbourhood residents.
• Bharat Mata Temple: Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936, this unique shrine houses no idols of deities; instead, it features an immense, mathematically precise relief map of undivided India carved out of Makrana marble.
Best Temple Routes in Varanasi (Geographic Circuits)
To avoid backtracking through heavy city traffic, group your temple visits into logical geographic routes:
Old Kashi Sacred Core
Route: Kaal Bhairav ➔ Kashi Vishwanath ➔ Annapurna Mandir ➔ Vishalakshi Mandir ➔ Manikarnika Ghat ➔ Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Best on foot; wear slip-on footwear and carry minimal baggage.
South Varanasi Circuit
Route: Durga Kund Temple ➔ Tulsi Manas Mandir ➔ Sankat Mochan Hanuman ➔ New Vishwanath (BHU) ➔ Assi Ghat.
Comfortable by auto-rickshaw or taxi; excellent for families with elders.
Essential Temple Etiquette in Varanasi
- Dress Respectfully: Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is appropriate across all shrines. For Sparsh Darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, an unstitched Dhoti-Kurta (Men) or Saree (Women) is mandatory.
- Footwear Protocol: Remove shoes at designated temple trust shoe stands. Keep small change (₹5–₹10) handy.
- Electronics & Photography: Photography is strictly prohibited inside the sanctum of most major temples. Leave phones in secure lockers.
- Respect Worshippers: For thousands around you, this pilgrimage is the culmination of a lifetime of devotion. Maintain decorum in queue lines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Temples in Varanasi
Which is the most famous temple in Varanasi?+
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is the most famous and sacred temple in Varanasi. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it houses one of the twelve divine Jyotirlingas.
Which temples should I visit on my first trip to Varanasi?+
A classic first-timer circuit includes: Kashi Vishwanath, Kaal Bhairav, Annapurna Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Durga Kund, Tulsi Manas Mandir, and New Vishwanath Temple (BHU).
Can I visit the main Varanasi temples in one day?+
While you can cover 3–4 temples in a hurried day, covering both the crowded Old City core and the southern BHU circuit comfortably requires at least two full days.
Which temples are located near Kashi Vishwanath?+
Maa Annapurna Temple, Dhundhiraj Ganesha, and Vishalakshi Temple (near Manikarnika) are all situated within walking distance of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.
Are mobile phones allowed inside temples?+
Security rules vary. At Kashi Vishwanath, mobile phones, smartwatches, and cameras are strictly banned. Free electronic lockers are provided at Gate 4 (Chhatta Dwar). At BHU and Tulsi Manas, phones are permitted in bags.