Why pilgrims come here
The Kashi Vishwanath temple, now approached through the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor from the ghats, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is an unforgettable spectacle.
A dawn boat ride along the ghats, from Assi to Manikarnika, shows the city at its most timeless. Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, is about 10 km away.
Darshan & aarti tips
- Kashi Vishwanath is open from early morning to night; queues are long on Mondays, in Shravan and on Mahashivratri. Check current timings.
- The Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is held every evening; arrive early for a good spot, or watch from a boat.
- The old city's lanes are narrow; cars drop you at the nearest point and you continue on foot.
Timings change. Temple timings vary with seasons and festivals. Always confirm the day's darshan and aarti schedule with the temple's official sources before you travel. We'll plan your departure around it.
Also visit
- Dashashwamedh GhatThe evening Ganga aarti.
- SarnathWhere the Buddha gave his first sermon.
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman TempleA much-loved Hanuman temple.
- PrayagrajTriveni Sangam, about 120 km away.
- AyodhyaAbout 200 km away.
Suggested yatra plan from Rajkot
- Days 1–3Rajkot to Varanasi by road with halts, or combined with Ayodhya.
- Day 4Dawn boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath darshan, evening Ganga aarti.
- Day 5Sarnath, then Prayagraj or start the return.
This is a long journey from Rajkot. Many families fly or take a train for the long leg; others prefer one car and driver throughout. We plan daily driving limits and overnight halts so the yatra stays comfortable. Interstate permits and tolls are listed in the quote.
Travelling with elders
Most of our pilgrimage journeys include parents or grandparents, so we plan for their comfort first.
- Rest and meal stops planned for elders
- Drop points close to temple entrances where allowed
- Plans built around darshan and aarti timings
- Patient drivers who help with luggage