In a significant move to manage the overwhelming influx of devotees, the administration of the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has announced a temporary suspension of all VIP and special access facilities. This decision, aimed at ensuring orderly darshan for all, comes ahead of the anticipated heavy rush during the New Year period and other high-footfall occasions.
What Led to the Suspension?
The temple trust took this decisive step on December 24, 2025, citing the practical impossibility of managing special protocols amidst the massive crowds. Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, the CEO of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, explicitly stated that providing any form of privileged access or special facilities for darshan would not be feasible during this time. Consequently, the ban encompasses two key services:
- VIP Darshan: This facility, which offered priority entry and shorter queues for pre-booked tickets, is now paused.
- Sparsh Darshan: This intimate ritual, which allows devotees to physically touch the sacred Shivalinga, has also been temporarily halted.
For now, the temple is permitting only the regular darshan for the general public and the Sugam Darshan, a paid, assisted entry option.
Current Ticket Prices and Available Rituals
With the special access suspended, understanding the available options and their costs becomes crucial for pilgrims. According to the official temple website, shrikashivishwanath.org, here are the current facilities and their pricing:
The Sugam Darshan ticket is priced at Rs 300. This service is designed for devotees with time constraints, offering assisted entry to the sanctum sanctorum with a guide, thereby minimizing waiting time in queues. A Shastri accompanies the devotee directly for darshan.
Several ritualistic offerings (pujas) remain available for booking, with their respective prices:
- Mangla Aarti: Rs 500
- Mid-day Bhog Aarti: Rs 300
- Saptarishi Aarti: Rs 300
- Shringaar Aarti: Rs 300
- Rudrabhishek: Ranging from Rs 450 to Rs 2,600 (cost varies based on the number of priests and ceremony type)
Other rituals like Sanyasi Bhojan (meal offerings), Milk Abhishek, and Akhand deep & Satyanarayan Katha are also listed on the portal.
How to Plan Your Visit
Devotees planning a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple during this period are advised to rely on the official online channels for a smooth experience. All bookings must be made through the temple's official website to avoid any misinformation or fraud.
The process for online ticket booking is straightforward:
- Visit the official portal: shrikashivishwanath.org.
- Navigate to the 'Ticket Booking' or 'Puja Booking' section.
- Select your preferred date, type of darshan or puja, and the number of persons.
- Complete the payment online and securely save the generated e-ticket or QR code for entry.
For those requiring accommodation, the temple trust manages two guesthouses near the temple premises: the Southern Grand Guest House and the Ganga Darshan Guest House. Room bookings start from Rs 800 per night and can be made via dedicated links on the temple's official website.
This temporary suspension underscores the temple administration's commitment to equitable access and crowd safety during peak seasons. Devotees are encouraged to plan accordingly, keep updated via official announcements, and embrace the spirit of patience and collective participation in this sacred space.
