- Home
- Jyotirlinga Tours
It is a widely known fact that Lord Shiva had manifested himself in the form of a Shiva Linga during the night of Aridra Nakshatra.
Read More - Spiritual Tours
- Travel Guide
- Contact us
- Enquiry Now
It is a widely known fact that Lord Shiva had manifested himself in the form of a Shiva Linga during the night of Aridra Nakshatra.
Read MoreThe holy city of Varanasi has always been the 'Moksha Dwar' for pilgrims who visit the city with the hope of getting salvation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. For travelers seeking a spiritual journey, a Varanasi Temple Tour Package offers a convenient way to explore the city's sacred heritage.
The city is well known for its Kashi Vishwanath temple - a Lord Shiva Jyotirlingam. Also, the Ghats of Varanasi, the Banarasi Paan, and the famous Banarasi silk are some of the other items that make Varanasi occupy a distinct place in the country's map.
Varanasi - also called Kashi and Banaras - is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) of Hinduism. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, inaugurated in December 2021, now gives pilgrims a direct open-air walkway from the Jyotirlinga to the Ganga - a transformation that has increased daily footfall to approximately 45,000 pilgrims.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is open 365 days a year. The temple opens at 2:30 AM and the last entry is at 11:00 PM. General Darshan is completely free. Here are the 2026 Darshan details:
| Session | Timing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Opens | 2:30 AM | First entry of the day |
| Mangala Aarti | 3:00 AM | First aarti of the day |
| General Darshan | 3:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Peak crowd: 7-10 AM |
| Temple Closed | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Closed during Bhog Aarti rituals |
| Bhog Aarti | 11:15 AM | During closure period |
| Afternoon Darshan | 12:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Lighter crowds on weekday afternoons |
| Sapta Rishi / Sandhya Aarti | 7:00 PM | Most sought-after aarti of the evening |
| Shringaar Aarti | 9:00 PM | Temple closes at 11 PM after Shayan Aarti |
Sugam Darshan is the VIP darshan facility offered by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust. It provides a dedicated, faster queue for pilgrims - particularly useful during Shravan month, Mahashivratri, and peak festival seasons.
Ticket price: ₹250 per person (as of 2026). Subject to revision during major festivals.
Book at: shrikashivishwanath.org - online booking opens 15 days in advance. Carry printout or digital e-pass.
Not available during: Aarti timings (Mangala, Bhog, Sandhya, Shringaar, Shayan). Plan arrival before or after Aarti for Sugam Darshan.
Also available: Sparsh Darshan (touch darshan) and Live Darshan passes - book via shrikashivishwanath.org.
Note: General Darshan (free entry) remains the most common mode of darshan. Sugam Darshan does not grant exclusive access to the sanctum - it simply provides a dedicated, shorter queue.
The Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the most spiritually charged rituals you will witness anywhere in India. Performed every evening at sunset by a team of priests in unison, the Aarti involves large brass lamps, conch shells, flower offerings, and Vedic chants - all on the steps of the most sacred ghat in Varanasi.
Timing: Every evening at sunset. In winter (Oct-Feb) approximately 6:00-6:30 PM; in summer (Mar-May) approximately 6:45-7:15 PM.
Boat ride: Taking a boat on the Ganga during the aarti gives the best unobstructed view - one of the highlights of any Varanasi temple tour.
Arrive early: Reach Dasaswamedh Ghat at least 30-45 minutes before the aarti. The Ghat fills up fast, especially on weekends and during festivals.
Morning Aarti: A smaller, quieter Aarti is also performed at Dasaswamedh Ghat at dawn - worth attending if you are an early riser.
Sarnath, approximately 10 km from Varanasi city centre, is one of the four most sacred sites of Buddhism. It was here that Siddhartha Gautama - after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya - delivered his first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to five disciples, setting the Wheel of Dharma in motion. This event is called Dhamma Chakka Pavattana - the First Turning of the Wheel of Law.
Dhamekh Stupa (5th century CE): The dominant structure at Sarnath, marking the exact spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon. 128 feet high, built by Emperor Ashoka and later expanded in the Gupta period.
Chaukhandi Stupa: A terraced octagonal tower marking the spot where the Buddha first met his five disciples after enlightenment.
Sarnath Archaeological Museum: Houses the Lion Capital of Ashoka - the original stone sculpture that became India's national emblem. Also contains the famous Sarnath Buddha (Gupta period, 5th century CE).
Buddhist temples: Several countries maintain Buddhist temples at Sarnath - including Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Tibetan, and Sri Lankan temples - each with a distinct architectural style.
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar: A modern Buddhist temple built in 1931 by the Mahabodhi Society, with murals depicting the life of the Buddha.
Entry: Archaeological site fee: ₹40 (Indian nationals), ₹600 (foreign nationals). Museum entry: ₹25. Timings: Sunrise to sunset (site); Museum 10 AM-5 PM, closed Fridays.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva as the 'Lord of the Universe', the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is the most sacred temple in Varanasi and the 7th of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The present temple was rebuilt in 1780 by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore after the earlier temple was demolished. The gold plating on the Shikhara was done by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab in 1839. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (2021) connects the temple complex directly to the Ganga Ghats.
Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Sankat Mochan Temple is one of the most beloved and visited temples in Varanasi. 'Sankat Mochan' means the 'reliever of troubles' - devotees pray here for help in times of difficulty and distress. The temple was founded by the saint-poet Tulsidas, author of the Ramcharitmanas. The temple is particularly crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Located close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Annapurna Temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapurna - the deity of food and nourishment. The golden idol of Goddess Annapurna with a golden ladle is displayed only during Annakut festival (Diwali period). The temple holds a unique significance - Varanasi is believed to be sustained by Goddess Annapurna's grace.
Manas Mandir on Tulsi Ghat is a temple that depicts scenes from the Ramcharitmanas - the devotional epic composed by Goswami Tulsidas. The walls of the temple are inscribed with verses from the Ramcharitmanas, making it a unique literary and religious monument.
A unique temple in India dedicated not to a deity but to Mother India (Bharat Mata). The temple houses a relief map of undivided India carved from marble. It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. Located in Mahmoorganj area near BHU.
The most famous and busiest ghat in Varanasi - literally meaning 'the ghat where ten horses were sacrificed'. This is the main site of the evening Ganga Aarti. According to tradition, Lord Brahma performed a yajna (fire sacrifice) here with ten horses. The ghat is alive from pre-dawn to late night - boats line up from early morning and devotees from across India come to take a holy dip in the Ganga.
The southernmost major ghat in Varanasi, located at the confluence of the Assi river and the Ganga. A morning Ganga Aarti is also performed at Assi Ghat. This ghat is particularly popular for boat rides and sunrise photography. Many Varanasi heritage walks begin here.
Manikarnika is Varanasi's primary cremation ghat and one of the most sacred sites in all of Hinduism. Hindu tradition holds that dying and being cremated at Manikarnika provides moksha - liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. The sacred fire here is said to have burned continuously for thousands of years. Approach with quiet respect - this is an active cremation site.
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi (VNS) receives flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai. IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air operate on these routes. The airport is approximately 26 km from Varanasi city centre.
Varanasi Junction (BSB) and Mughal Sarai Junction / Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU, 18 km from Varanasi) are the main railheads. Major trains: Kashi Express, Vibhuti Express, Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express (approx. 8 hrs from Delhi), and Mahanagari Express.
Varanasi is approximately 800 km from Delhi (13-14 hrs by road via NH-19), 600 km from Kolkata, and 280 km from Prayagraj (3-4 hrs). The UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) and private buses connect Varanasi to Prayagraj, Lucknow, and other UP cities.
October - March (Best): The most comfortable season for a Varanasi temple tour. Mornings on the Ghats are cool and misty. Dev Deepawali (Kartik Purnima, November) is the most spectacular festival - when 84 Ghats are lit with lakhs of Diyas at once.
Mahashivratri (February/March): The most important festival at Kashi Vishwanath temple. Massive crowds - book hotel and Sugam Darshan 2-3 months in advance.
Shravan month (July-August): Every Monday sees huge crowds at Kashi Vishwanath. Spiritually the most significant time for Shiva devotees. Heavy rains possible.
April - June (Summer): Hot and humid. Manageable but not ideal for outdoor ghat activities during midday.
Dev Deepawali (November): One of the most visually spectacular events in India. The entire Ganga Ghat line is illuminated with over one million Diyas. Book hotels and boats 3-4 months in advance for this date.
While there is no rigid dress code, it is recommended to dress modestly.
At Grishneshwar-style temples, men may be required to remove upper cloth before entering - carry a separate angavastram (upper cloth) for this.
No age limit restrictions at any temple on this tour.
10+ Places You’ll See
Varanasi Temple Tour Package 2026
3 Days / 2 Nights
Daily Breakfast
Private AC Vehicle
Varanasi
Varanasi
Varanasi → Sarnath → Varanasi
Upon your arrival at the nearest railway station/airport you'll be greeted by our tour representative who then escorts you to hotel. Check into hotel and later proceed to witness the spell-bounding Ganga Aarti at the Dasaswamedh Ghat. You could also take a boat ride on the Ganges while visualizing the Ganga Aarti. Back to hotel for dinner and night stay.
Early morning, we embark on a mystical boat ride on River Ganges. It is indeed an out-of-the-world experience as you sail past the Ghats and catch glimpses of people taking their holy dip, offering Surya Namaskar, chanting mantras and so on. Later on we proceed to visit the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple followed by other temples such as Sankat Mochan temple, Annapurna temple, Manas Mandir, Bharat Mata Mandir, BHU. Back to hotel for breakfast.
Later during the day we make an excursion to Sarnath - the historical place where Lord Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon. The places we visit at Sarnath include Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamekh Stupa, Buddha temples, and the archaeological museum.
We will be back to Varanasi by evening and later can make use of the evening for some shopping. Back to hotel for dinner and night stay.
Post breakfast you are transferred to railway station/airport where our representative sees you off and you depart for your onward journey back home.
Ans: The tour covers Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, Sankat Mochan Temple, Annapurna Temple, Manas Mandir, Bharat Mata Mandir, and a visit to BHU campus, followed by a Sarnath day excursion covering Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and the Sarnath Archaeological Museum.
Ans: The temple opens at 2:30 AM and closes at 11:00 PM. It is closed for darshan from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM daily. Five aartis are performed: Mangala Aarti (3 AM), Bhog Aarti (11:15 AM), Sapta Rishi/Sandhya Aarti (7 PM), Shringaar Aarti (9 PM), and Shayan Aarti (10:30 PM).
Ans: Book online at shrikashivishwanath.org. Ticket price: ₹250 per person (2026 rate). Online booking opens 15 days in advance. Carry a printout or digital e-pass. Sugam Darshan is not available during aarti timings.
Ans: The Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat takes place every evening at sunset - approximately 6:00-6:30 PM in winter (Oct-Feb) and 6:45-7:15 PM in summer (Mar-May). Arrive 30-45 minutes early for a good spot. A boat ride during the aarti gives the best view.
Ans: Varanasi is one of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) of Hinduism and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Hindu tradition holds that Kashi rests on the tip of Lord Shiva's trident and those who die here receive the Tarak Mantra from Lord Shiva himself - granting moksha. The Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga is considered the most sacred Shiva shrine in India.
Ans: Yes. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, inaugurated on 13 December 2021, is open to all pilgrims completely free of charge. It provides a 5-lakh-square-foot open complex with a direct walkway connecting the Jyotirlinga to the Ganga ghats. Around 45,000 pilgrims visit the complex daily.
Ans: October to March is the best window. Dev Deepawali (Kartik Purnima, November) is the most spectacular time. Mahashivratri (February/March) is the most auspicious for Shiva Darshan - but extremely crowded. Shravan month (July-August) is spiritually significant. Avoid May-June for outdoor Ghat activities during midday heat.
Ans: Sarnath is approximately 10 km from Varanasi city centre - about 25-30 minutes by road. Our tour covers Sarnath on Day 2 as a half-day excursion. Entry to the main archaeological site is ₹40 for Indian nationals and ₹600 for foreign nationals.
Ans: Dev Deepawali (Gods' Diwali) is celebrated on Kartik Purnima - the full moon day of the month of Kartik, 15 days after Diwali (usually November). All 84 Ghats of Varanasi are lit with over one million Diyas simultaneously. It is considered the most visually spectacular event in Varanasi. Book hotels 3-4 months in advance if you plan to attend.
Need help choosing your trip or booking?
We are here for you.
