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Kashi Vishwanath Sugam Darshan 2026 Price Booking and Timings

MandirMay Darshan Desk03 Aug 2026 • 1 min read

03 Aug 2026 • 1 min read

MandirMay Darshan Desk

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Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor in Varanasi with devotees walking towards the golden spire — The Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor connects the Ganga ghats directly to the temple.

Quick answer

Sugam Darshan at Kashi Vishwanath costs ₹300 per person on the temple trust's own portal as of 3 August 2026. General darshan is free. Mangala Aarti is ₹500, the other three ticketed aartis are ₹300 each, and Rudrabhishek with one Shastri is ₹450. Book only at shrikashivishwanath.org — maximum 5 persons per booking, photo ID mandatory. Shravan 2026 runs 29 July to 29 August, and booking is closed on 10, 17 and 24 August 2026.

Shravan 2026 is running right now — read this before you book

The temple trust has opened ticket booking for Shravan 29 July to 29 August 2026. But booking is not available on 10 August, 17 August and 24 August 2026 — the Shravan Mondays, when crowd flow is handled through the general queue only. If your travel dates fall on those three days, plan for a general-queue darshan and start before 4 AM, or shift your temple day by 24 hours. Always check live availability on the portal before locking flights.

Most Kashi guides you will find online still quote ₹250 for Sugam Darshan. That was the older rate. We opened the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust booking portal on 3 August 2026 and copied every figure below straight from it, so you are planning with the number you will actually be charged.

This page covers the full trip, not just the ticket: what Sugam Darshan really includes, all five aarti rates, Rudrabhishek including the video-conference option for families abroad, honest boat ride rates at Dashashwamedh, airport and station distances, the dress code that turns people away at the gate, and a two-day plan for Kashi.

Kashi Vishwanath ticket prices 2026 (official)

Official temple trust ratesSource: shrikashivishwanath.org · checked 3 Aug 2026

Official Kashi Vishwanath darshan, aarti and puja rates for 2026
Service	Rate	Notes
General darshan	Free	No ticket. Queue can run 2–5 hours on Mondays, weekends and festival days.
Sugam DarshanAlso called VIP darshan	₹300	Per person. Dedicated queue, Shastri escort, free locker, Mewa Laddu prasadam.
Mangala Aarti	₹500	Pre-dawn, the first aarti of the day. Books out earliest.
Mid Day Bhog Aarti	₹300	Around 11:15 AM to 12:20 PM.
Sapt Rishi Aarti	₹300	Evening. Seven Shastris of seven different gotras, a 750-year-old tradition.
Shringaar / Bhog Aarti	₹300	Night aarti before the Lord is adorned.
Rudrabhishek (1 Shastri)	₹450	In person, at the temple.
Rudrabhishek (1 Shastri) — video conference	₹700	For devotees who cannot travel. Performed on your sankalp.
Rudrabhishek (5 Shastri) — video conference	₹2,100	The fuller remote option, popular with families abroad.
Akhand Deep	₹700	Offering towards the continuously burning lamp.
Satyanarayan Katha	₹500	Booked at the temple.
Sanyasi Bhojan (daily)	₹3,000	Feeding sanyasis in the Lord's name.
Sanyasi Bhojan (Monday)	₹4,500	Monday is Shiva's day, so this is the most sought-after slot.
Every Purnima Shringaar	₹3,700	Full-moon adornment seva.
Dainik Ratri Kalin Shringar (9 PM)	₹5,000	Nightly shringar participation.

Temple rates are set by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust and can change without notice, especially around Shravan and Mahashivratri. Reconfirm on the portal on the day you book.

What Sugam Darshan actually gets you

This is where most pages are vague, so here it is plainly. Sugam Darshan is the temple's own paid fast-track scheme. It does not give you a different or holier darshan — the sanctum is the same, the Jyotirlinga is the same. What you are buying is time and order.

A separate queue

You bypass the general public line and enter through a dedicated route, typically finishing darshan in 30–45 minutes instead of hours.

A Shastri escort

A temple-designated Shastri walks you in. His dakshina is already inside the ticket price, so nothing extra is payable to him.

Free locker

Phones, watches and bags cannot go in. Locker use is included, which saves the scramble outside the gate.

Mewa Laddu prasadam

Prasadam is handed over at the end of the darshan as part of the ticket.

Two limits worth knowing before you open the booking form: maximum five persons per booking, with children entered separately, and every devotee must carry the original photo ID used at booking. Differently-abled devotees are not charged for Sugam Darshan.

How to book Sugam Darshan online

Go directly to shrikashivishwanath.org by typing it in. Do not click search ads — several lookalike sites imitate the portal.
Register or log in with a mobile number and email. OTP login is available.
Open Online Services → Ticket Booking, then pick Sugam Darshan from the pooja list.
Select your date and check availability. Shravan and festival dates open and fill fast.
Enter each devotee's name and ID exactly as on the document you will carry.
Pay online, then download and save the e-ticket. Carry a printout as backup — network inside the old city lanes is patchy.
Reach the designated gate at least 30 minutes before your slot.

The three things that go wrong

Fake booking sites. The trust says only its own portal is authorised. Wrong gate. The corridor has several entries and a Sugam ticket is checked at a specific one — confirm it for your slot, don't follow the crowd. Unofficial "guides". Anyone in the lane claiming the online system is down, or offering a shortcut for cash, is not from the temple. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, so a mistake at booking costs you the slot.

Kashi Vishwanath temple timings and the five aartis

The temple runs on a long day. Gates open in the small hours for Mangala Aarti and close after the Lord is put to rest. Darshan pauses in the middle of the day during Bhog Aarti.

Daily aarti scheduleIndicative — shifts during Shravan & festivals

Aarti	Time	What it is
Mangala Aarti	≈3:00–4:00 AM	Brahma muhurta. The most sought-after ticket of the day.
Mid Day Bhog Aarti	≈11:15 AM–12:20 PM	Bhog is offered. General darshan pauses in this window.
Sapt Rishi Aarti	≈7:00–8:15 PM	Seven Shastris, seven gotras. The most visually striking.
Shringaar / Bhog Aarti	≈9:00–10:15 PM	The Lord is adorned for the night.
Shayan Aarti	≈10:30–11:00 PM	Closing ritual. Quietest, smallest crowd.

Aarti windows move during Shravan, Nag Panchami, Mahashivratri, Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali. Confirm your slot on the portal for the exact date.

Dress code and what you cannot carry in

More people are turned back at the gate for this than for anything else, and after a 4 AM start that hurts.

Not allowed inside: mobile phones, smartwatches, cameras, power banks, bags. Free lockers sit near the entry gates.
Leather: belts and wallets have to be deposited along with footwear.
Men: kurta-pyjama, dhoti, or full trousers with a shirt. Avoid shorts.
Women: saree, salwar-kameez or a modest suit. Shoulders and legs covered.
Carry only: your e-ticket, original photo ID and a little cash.

Ganga Aarti and boat rides at Dashashwamedh: real rates

The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is the other half of a Kashi trip, and the water is the best seat in the house. It is also where visitors get quoted double. Here is the honest range so you can negotiate from a number instead of a guess.

Boat rate reality checkIndicative market rates, Varanasi 2026

Option	Fair range	Notes
Shared seat, evening aarti	from ₹250 / person	Benches fill roughly 40 minutes before the aarti begins.
Private rowboat, evening aarti	₹1,500 +	Front positioning in the arc costs a premium.
Sunrise private rowboat	₹2,200 approx	The same boat is around ₹1,500 at midday. Sunrise carries a surcharge.
Standard hourly, 2–4 seats	₹200–₹300 / hour	Off-peak daytime rate.

Agree the price, the duration and the number of people before you step on the boat.
Board early for the aarti — 40 to 45 minutes ahead if you want the central view.
Assi Ghat is better for sunrise and the Subah-e-Banaras aarti; Dashashwamedh is the evening ceremony.
Most boatmen accept UPI now, but carry some cash for patchy network on the river.
Take a thin cushion. Wooden planks over an hour are not kind.

Getting to Kashi Vishwanath

By air

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS), Babatpur — about 25 km from the temple, typically 45–70 minutes by road.

By train

Varanasi Junction (BSB), Banaras (BSBS) and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU) all connect widely across India.

Last mile

Vehicles cannot reach the temple gates. Expect a walk through the old lanes from the nearest drop point — factor 10–20 minutes.

From the river

The corridor runs from Lalita Ghat to the temple, so you can arrive by boat and walk straight up.

Two days in Kashi: a plan that works

Day 1 — the temple and the river

3:00 AM: Mangala Aarti if you booked it, otherwise reach the gate by 4:00 AM for a short general queue.
7:00 AM: Sunrise boat from Assi Ghat, past the 84 ghats.
9:00 AM: Kachori-sabzi and chai at the ghat. Rest at the hotel.
4:00 PM: Kaal Bhairav and Annapurna Devi — Kashi yatra is considered incomplete without Kaal Bhairav.
6:00 PM: Board for the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh, from the water.
8:00 PM: Sapt Rishi Aarti if you hold a ticket.

Day 2 — Sarnath and the quieter Kashi

6:00 AM: Sugam Darshan slot — mornings are calmer than evenings.
9:30 AM: Sarnath: Dhamek Stupa and the museum, about 10 km from the city.
1:00 PM: Lunch, then Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple.
4:00 PM: Ramnagar Fort across the river, or the Vishalakshi Shakti Peetha near the corridor.
7:00 PM: Assi Ghat for a slower, less crowded evening aarti.

Where MandirMay fits in

Straight answer: the darshan ticket itself comes from the temple trust, and it should. We do not sell Sugam Darshan passes and no honest operator does. What MandirMay handles is everything the temple portal does not.

Airport pickup and drop — Babatpur to your hotel, with a driver who knows which lane to stop at.
Boat ride arranged at a fixed, told-in-advance rate — no negotiation on the ghat at 6 PM.
Local sightseeing — Sarnath, Kaal Bhairav, Sankat Mochan, Ramnagar Fort, with a vehicle held for you.
Booking assistance — we help you pick the right slot, the right gate and the right aarti for your dates, and tell you honestly when a date is closed.
Stay near the corridor — hotels and guest houses within walking distance of the gates.
Puja beyond the temple — Rudrabhishek and other rituals with verified pandits, in Kashi or at your home city.

Rates for transfers, boat and sightseeing depend on your dates, group size and vehicle. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we will send the full quote and what is included, in writing, before you pay anything.

Planning a Kashi trip in the next few weeks?

Check your darshan date, transfers, boat and sightseeing in one place on MandirMay.

Book Kashi Vishwanath on MandirMay

or send your dates on WhatsApp

Temples to fold into the same trip

Kaal Bhairav

The Kotwal of Kashi. Tradition holds that darshan of Kashi is incomplete without seeking his permission.

Annapurna Devi

Adjacent to the corridor. The goddess who feeds Kashi, and Shiva's own alms-giver.

Vishalakshi

One of the Shakti Peethas, a short walk from the temple complex.

Sankat Mochan

Founded by Tulsidas. Tuesdays and Saturdays are busiest.

Sarnath

Where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Dhamek Stupa and the museum, about 10 km out.

Ramnagar Fort

Across the Ganga, best in late afternoon light.

Frequently asked questions

What is the price of Sugam Darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 2026?

Sugam Darshan at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple costs ₹300 per person, as listed on the temple trust's own booking portal on 3 August 2026. Many guides still quote ₹250, which is an older rate. Book only at shrikashivishwanath.org. General darshan remains completely free, and differently-abled devotees are not charged for Sugam Darshan.

What does the Sugam Darshan ticket include?

The Sugam Darshan ticket includes queue-less entry through a dedicated line, a Shastri who escorts you to the sanctum, free locker use for your belongings, and Mewa Laddu prasadam at the end. The Shastri's dakshina is already covered by the ticket, so no extra payment is required inside.

Is Sugam Darshan booking open during Shravan 2026?

Yes. Shravan 2026 runs from 29 July to 29 August 2026 and bookings are open, but the temple trust has closed booking for three dates: 10 August, 17 August and 24 August 2026. These are the Shravan Mondays, when the temple manages crowds through the general queue only. Check availability on the portal before you fix travel dates.

What are Kashi Vishwanath Temple timings?

The temple opens around 2:30 AM for Mangala Aarti preparation and closes after Shayan Aarti at about 11:00 PM. Darshan pauses in the middle of the day for Bhog Aarti, roughly 11:15 AM to 12:20 PM. Timings shift during Shravan, Mahashivratri and other festivals, so confirm on the official portal for your date.

How much do the Kashi Vishwanath aarti tickets cost?

On the temple portal, Mangala Aarti costs ₹500 per person, Mid Day Bhog Aarti ₹300, Sapt Rishi Aarti ₹300 and Shringaar Bhog Aarti ₹300. Mangala Aarti is the pre-dawn aarti and sells out earliest, so book several days ahead and 4 to 6 weeks ahead during Shravan.

How much does Rudrabhishek cost at Kashi Vishwanath?

Rudrabhishek with one Shastri costs ₹450 on the official portal. Two remote options also exist for devotees who cannot travel: Rudrabhishek with one Shastri over video conference at ₹700, and with five Shastris over video conference at ₹2,100.

Can I book Kashi Vishwanath darshan on a website other than the official portal?

No. The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust states that shrikashivishwanath.org is the only authorised booking site, and several lookalike sites run ads that mimic it. Book your darshan and aarti tickets there or on the official temple app. Travel operators can help you plan around the booking, but the ticket itself must come from the trust.

How many people can I book on one Sugam Darshan ticket?

The official booking form allows a maximum of five persons per booking, with children counted separately. Larger groups need to be split across multiple bookings, and every devotee must carry the original photo ID used at the time of booking.

What is not allowed inside Kashi Vishwanath Temple?

Mobile phones, smartwatches, cameras, power banks and bags are not allowed inside the temple. Free lockers are available near the entry gates. Footwear and leather items such as belts and wallets have to be deposited before entry. Modest covered clothing is expected: kurta-pyjama, dhoti or trousers for men, and saree or salwar-kameez for women.

How far is Varanasi airport from Kashi Vishwanath Temple?

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Babatpur is roughly 25 km from the temple, usually 45 to 70 minutes by road depending on traffic in the old city lanes. The nearest railway stations are Varanasi Junction, Banaras station and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.

How much does a boat ride cost at Dashashwamedh Ghat?

A shared seat for the evening Ganga Aarti generally starts around ₹250 per person, while a private rowboat for a small family is usually ₹1,500 or more. Sunrise and aarti slots carry a surcharge and a boat that costs ₹1,500 at midday can be quoted ₹2,200 at 5:30 AM. Fix your rate before boarding, not after.

What is the best time to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple?

October to March gives the most comfortable weather for walking the ghats and the corridor. Shravan, Mahashivratri and Dev Deepawali are the most auspicious but also the most crowded. On any ordinary day, a weekday early morning is far quieter than a Monday or a weekend.