Opening and Closing Time Temples in Varanasi

• Here’s an overview of the opening and closing times for some of the most popular temples in Varanasi, India. Varanasi is home to numerous sacred temples that follow their own timings, so it’s essential to know these in advance when planning your visit.

  1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

  Opening Time: 3:00 AM

  Closing Time: 11:00 PM

  Details: The temple opens early for the morning darshan and remains open throughout the day for visitors. The temple has a break during midday, after which it opens again for evening aarti. The temple can be very crowded, especially during festivals like Mahashivaratri and Kashi Vishwanath Dham Darshan.

  2. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

  Opening Time: 4:00 AM

  Closing Time: 9:00 PM

  Details: The temple remains open early in the morning for devotees, allowing them to perform morning prayers. Evening aartis are an important feature at the temple.

  3. Durga Temple (Monkey Temple)

  Opening Time: 5:00 AM

  Closing Time: 9:00 PM

  Details: The Durga Temple is famous for its Maroon-colored deity of Goddess Durga. It is also known as the Monkey Temple due to the number of monkeys around the temple area. The temple remains open throughout the day with breaks for prayers and rituals.

  4. Kaal Bhairav Temple

  Opening Time: 4:30 AM

  Closing Time: 11:00 PM

  Details: This temple dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, opens early and allows visitors to offer prayers throughout the day. It is especially significant for locals, who believe it plays an essential role in safeguarding Varanasi.

  5. Annapurna Temple

  Opening Time: 4:30 AM

  Closing Time: 9:00 PM

  Details: The Annapurna Temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, the goddess of food and nourishment. Visitors can come for morning darshan, as well as during the day for prayers and offerings.

  6. New Vishwanath Temple (BHU)

  Opening Time: 4:00 AM

  Closing Time: 11:00 PM

  Details: Located inside the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, this temple is open for morning and evening darshan. The temple follows similar timings to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, with breaks during the afternoon.

  7. Madhia Mahadevi Temple

  Opening Time: 5:00 AM

  Closing Time: 9:00 PM

  Details: This ancient temple is dedicated to Goddess Mahadevi, and remains open for worship and prayers in the early hours.

  8. Tulsi Manas Mandir

  Opening Time: 5:30 AM

  Closing Time: 10:00 PM

  Details: This temple dedicated to Lord Rama is associated with the Ramcharitmanas, written by Tulsidas. It remains open for prayers and darshan during the morning and evening.

  9. Bharat Mata Temple

  Opening Time: 7:00 AM

  Closing Time: 9:00 PM

  Details: The Bharat Mata Temple, dedicated to the Motherland of India, showcases a map of India carved in marble. It is open during the day for visitors to explore its unique significance.

  10. Chaukhandi Stupa

  Opening Time: 6:00 AM

  Closing Time: 6:00 PM

  Details: Although not a traditional temple, the Chaukhandi Stupa is a historical Buddhist monument. It is open for pilgrims and tourists from early morning until evening.

  General Tips:

  Morning Aarti: Many temples start early in the morning with an Aarti (prayer ceremony) at around 5:00-6:00 AM, so it’s a great time for peaceful darshan.

  Evening Aarti: Evening rituals and aartis are often conducted between 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, which is a popular time to visit.

  Festival Timings: During festivals such as Mahashivaratri, Dussehra, or Diwali, temples may have extended hours and special events.

  Crowds: The temples can be quite crowded, especially during weekends and holidays, so visiting early in the morning or late at night might give you a more serene experience.