At Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped across five distinct daily aartis from pre-dawn to late night. Attending an aarti allows devotees to sit inside or directly in front of the inner sanctum (Garbhagriha) to witness ancient Vedic chants, conch shells, and ceremonial offerings that have continued uninterrupted for centuries. Below is the complete, verified timetable and booking protocol.
Official Daily Aarti Schedule & Ticket Charges
| Aarti Name | Aarti Time | Devotee Reporting Time | Ticket Cost (Per Person) | Entry Gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangala Aarti | 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM | 2:15 AM sharp | ₹500 (₹1000 during Shravan/Maha Shivratri) | Gate 4 (Chhatta Dwar) |
| Madhyahna Bhog Aarti | 11:15 AM – 12:20 PM | 10:45 AM | ₹300 | Gate 4 |
| Saptarishi Aarti | 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM | 6:15 PM | ₹300 | Gate 4 |
| Ratri Shringar Aarti | 9:00 PM – 10:15 PM | 8:30 PM | ₹300 | Gate 4 |
| Shayan Aarti | 10:30 PM – 11:00 PM | 10:15 PM | Free (Devotees present in premises) | Any open gate |
Deep Dive: The Significance of Each Aarti
1. Mangala Aarti (3:00 AM – 4:00 AM)
The first and most spiritually potent ritual of the day. The temple doors open at 3:00 AM while the city of Kashi is completely asleep. Seven head priests awaken the Shivalinga with stotras, followed by Panchamrit Snan (bathing the linga in fresh milk, curd, honey, sugar, and sacred Ganga jal). The linga is then adorned with fresh bilva leaves, sandalwood paste, and fragrant flowers before the grand camphor aarti.
Booking Note: Because sanctum capacity is limited to roughly 120 devotees, Mangala Aarti tickets sell out within minutes of being released online 30 days in advance.
2. Bhog Aarti (11:15 AM – 12:20 PM)
Represents the midday meal offered to the Lord. A lavish thali of pure vegetarian sattvic delicacies cooked in temple kitchens is presented behind closed curtains. During this time, general darshan is paused. When the doors reopen, the noon incense and deepak aarti is performed.
3. Saptarishi Aarti (7:00 PM – 8:15 PM)
Named after the seven celestial sages (Saptarishis) who first worshipped Lord Shiva in Varanasi. Seven different Brahmin families representing the lineage of these sages conduct this aarti simultaneously. Each priest stands at an ordained angle, ringing brass hand-bells in mesmerizing rhythmic sync. The acoustic resonance inside the sanctum during Saptarishi Aarti is considered an unforgettable meditative experience.
4. Shringar / Bhog Aarti (9:00 PM – 10:15 PM)
The evening adornment ritual. The Shivalinga is covered in an ornate silver or gold crown (Mukut) and draped with elaborate garlands of mogra and marigold flowers. Classical Shiva bhajans and damru rhythms accompany the waving of large brass flame torches.
5. Shayan Aarti (10:30 PM – 11:00 PM)
The final ritual putting Lord Shiva to rest. A soft bed is prepared, soft lullabies (Shayan geet) are chanted, and the sanctum doors are formally locked until the next morning's Mangala awakening.
Mandatory Dress Code for Aarti Pass Holders
If you hold a ticket for Mangala Aarti or Saptarishi Aarti, you are seated directly in the inner sanctum / courtyard:
• Men: Unstitched traditional Dhoti with a Kurta or Angavastram (No jeans, trousers, shorts, or western clothes).
• Women: Traditional Saree or modest Salwar Kameez with Dupatta.
Devotees wearing western outfits will be stopped by security at Gate 4 and denied sanctum seating even with a paid ticket!
How to Book Aarti Tickets Online: Step-by-Step
- Visit the official temple portal: shrikashivishwanath.org.
- Click on "Online Services" ➔ "Aarti Booking".
- Select the Aarti type (e.g., Mangala Aarti or Saptarishi Aarti) and your desired pilgrimage date.
- Fill in each devotee's full name, age, gender, and valid Government ID number (Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID).
- Pay online using UPI, Debit/Credit Card, or Net Banking.
- Download and print the generated PDF confirmation slip with barcode. (Digital copy on mobile phone is accepted at the Gate 4 scanner counter).
Offline / On-the-Spot Aarti Tickets
If online tickets are sold out, a small daily quota of 20 to 30 tickets is released at the Helpdesk Counter near Gate 4 (Chhatta Dwar) at 7:00 AM for the next day's aartis. To secure an offline ticket, pilgrims queue up as early as 5:30 AM with their physical Aadhaar cards.