List of Top Famous Temple in Varanasi (Banaras) to Visit

Introduction

Located at the banks of Eastern bank of River Ganges the city is locally known as Kashi or Banaras and is one of the ancient cities in the world and is believed to be a city of divine. This is because Varanasi is also known as Kashi meaning the city of Lord Shiva and the pilgrimage tourism is one of the most important sectors of tourism where millions of both domestic and International tourists visit every year. The place has quite a religious touch with the number of offerings, steps or Ghats for the spiritual believers and temples.

Temples are not only places of pilgrimage but also hold centuries of historical and architectural significance and are iconic examples of Varanasi. Visiting these temples gives the visitor an understanding of the religious history as well as spirituality of the location. Below is a list of ten most popular and main temples of Varanasi that tourists greatly attract: In order to get the feeling of spirituality of this city, here are Varanasi temples list as follows:

1. Shree Kashi Vishwanath temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the largest temples of Kashi which is also one of the most famous religious establishments of the city, as it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on the right apart of the sacred river Ganga is one among the twelve Jyotirlingams. It is an indispensable room for every Hindu worshiper. Some of these literary features include the golden lightning, peak, and crowns, which have a religious as well as a historical aspect of the temple site.

It is often believed by the ones who visits Kashi Vishwanath temple and has a bath in Ganges one will get moksha which means freedom to be reborn alive. It has been a ritual center for thousands of years and has pledged incredible power to all the worshippers of Lord Shiva.

Aarti Timing of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Darshan Timing at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Opening & Closing Time – Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

History, importance and stories-

Shree Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is a famous temple in Varanasi for spiritual tourism and pilgrimage and is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlinga. This was constructed in 1780 by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The structure of the temple has survived multiple reconstructions due to invasions and therefore can be a symbol of the Indian faith.

Location- Vishwanath Gali, Godowlia, Varanasi

Timing- 3AM to 11PM

2. Kaal Bhairav temple

Kaal Bhairav temple in Varanasi India is also located in Varanasi dedicated to Kaal Bhairav who is also known as the angry form of Lord Shiva. Kaal Bhairav is referred to as the ‘Kotwal of Varanasi’ and is believed to be the protector deity of the city. This temple in its calm presence attracts a lot of visitors who are convinced that Kaal Bhairav guards them against any ill fate. The god is portrayed with a Trishul and a human head in his hands, and this implies that he is a warrior who conquers all forms of fear. A trip to the Kaal Bhairav Temple is an exploration of the ancient tradition of Varanasi’s culture.

Aarti Timing of Kal Bhairav Temple,

Opening & Closing Timing of Kal Bhairav Temple

History, importance and stories-

The Kaal Bhairav Temple is a temple dedicated to Kaal Bhairav, a form of Lord Shiva that is a very significant god as per the Hindu mythology. Also referred to as the guardian of the city, Kaal Bhairav is locally seen as a god who defends against wickedness. It is guided that the temple has its roots in pre-historic period, as people come and pray for safety.

Location- Vishweshwar Ganj, Varanasi

Timing- 5AM to 1:300PM and 4:30PM to 9:30PM

3. Durga Kund temple

The Durga Temple is also famous as Monkey Temple because of the number of monkeys found there and devoted to Goddess Durga and one of the main temples in Varanasi. This temple is considered to be constructed in the 18^th century by a Bengali Maharani situated near Durga Kund. North Indian temple architecture particularly the Nagara style and the towering shikhara are evident in its design. People come here to worship Goddess Durga the deity of power and protection. In the colourful Navratri festival celebration, the temple is the most active place where a great number of people go for worship.

Durga Temple Varanasi Timings

History, importance and stories-

The temple of Durga Kund is of 18th century construction and is dedicated to goddess Durga, has been constructed by a Bengali Maharani. The temple situated along the road is particularly noteworthy due to the red coloured structure and the rectangular shaped ‘kund’ beside it; it is said that the deity herself came to incarnate in this temple. During the Navratri festival, the divine feminine power is worshiped.

Location- Durga Kund, Varanasi

Timing- 5AM to 12PM and 4PM to 9PM

4. Maa Annapurna temple

Annapurna Devi Mandir signifies food and Nourishment that is why, the worship of Goddess Annapurna is performed. Situated opposite to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, it is stated that, one who pays a visit to this temple; he will not face hunger at any point in his life. The Goddess Annapurna fed Lord Shiva when he came as an unknown man to beg for food signifying the need for food. The structure is simple yet beautiful and it has been a source of pride to the devotees of the region. Devotees deliver food to the needy people; people go on feeding the poor as in the ancient days.

Annapurna Mandir VaranasiTiming

History, importance and stories-

The temple Varanasi Uttar Pradesh of Maa Annapurna is important because this goddess feeds everyone. It is positioned at a distance of a few kilometers from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and going there assures that one will never go hungry in his or her life. Annapurna had fed lord Shiva to signifying that she provided him food to eat.

Location- Vishwanth Gali, Varanasi

Timing- 4AM to 11:30PM and 12PM to 8PM

5. Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple

Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple is devoted to Lord Hanuman and is known as one of the most important temples in Varanasi. Local people and devotees come here to get blessings of Lord Hanuman who is believed to end all the hurdles and gives strength. The temple was founded by the holy saint Goswami Tulsidas who wrote the Ramcharitmanas here, and it is fully crowded especially on Tuesday and Saturday as both are dedicated to Hanuman. The calm and quiet temple atmosphere, as well as the religious vibe is an amazing experience for the devotees.

Sankat Mochan Temple Opening & Closing Time

History, importance and stories-

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is located in Varanasi and is as old as the 16th century; this temple was founded by Tulsidas, the poet-saint. The temple remains filled with people in search of power to handle their troubles. It is a busy, especially for the Tuesday and Saturday, where one can hear the devotional songs and prayers.

Location- Sankat Mochan, Lanka, Varanasi

Timing- 5AM to 10PM

6. Nepali Hindu temple

Another religious temple is the Nepali Mandir, which is also called the Kathwala Temple; it is located at Lalita Ghat, and this temple is in the Indo-Nepal style. Located in the western part of Kathmandu, which was constructed by the King of Nepal, the temple is for Lord Shiva and has wooden carving like the Pashupatinath temple. It has a different structure from other temples in Varanasi, whereby terracotta and woods are used. Nepali Mandir is not only a temple but also a house of many historic and cultural bonds between India Nepal.

History, importance and stories-

There is Nepali Hindu Temple / Kathwala Temple constructed by the King of Nepal this temple is also similar to Kathmandu’s Pashupatinath Temple. It is 19th-century building located on the Lalita Ghat. Being located in a region that has shared its culture and history between both India and Nepal the building has a unique architectural design and a calm and peaceful environment.

Location- Lalita Ghat, Varanasi

Timing- 4AM to 11PM and 1PM to 9PM

7. Tulsi Manas Mandir

Tulsi Manas Temple is close to the Durga Temple, and it is a temple of Lord Rama. It is indeed highly revered culturally as it is built at the place where it is said that Tulsidas wrote the famous Ramcharitmanas. This Ram temple was constructed in 1964 and has verses along with scenes from Ramcharitmanas written on the walls of the temple; therefore, it is a library and devotional space. The temple is dedicated to Tulsidas and his literary creations and people including the devotees and scholars visit this place. Part of its appeal is the silence and solitude of the place, making it one of the must-visit places for those who are in Varanasi.

Tulsi manas mandir Varanasi Timing

History, importance and stories-

Tulsi Manas Mandir was built in 1964 AD to indicate the place where Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas. This temple is an important one for Lord Rama and the walls of the temple contain verses from the Ramayana. It has become a symbol of Tulsidas himself and the essence Culture through the followers.

Location- Durgakund, Varanasi

Timing- 5:30AM to 12PM and 3:30PM to 9PM

8. Mrityunjay Mahadev temple

The Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple is considered to be one of the holiest places in the country and it is worshiped temple that has powers to heal the suffering souls. It is considered that the prayer to the deity here can help protect from death at a young age and severe diseases if the Mritunjaya chants are pronounced. The well, which is within the temple, is considered to be holy. The prime attraction at Vanarasi is the Mrityunjay Mahadev temple which is more particularly significant for those who visit this city to overcome diseases and get a long life as this city is also famous for spiritual curing.

History, importance and stories-

The Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is believed to have miraculous power in treating diseases. People recite the Mrityunjay mantra here in the belief that it helps to guard against death during improper time or critical disease. It is a common knowledge that the well in the temple was attributed to healing powers hence many people came forward seeking divine power for their health challenges and the desire for longer life.

Location- Daranagr, Varanasi

Timing- 4AM to 10PM

9. New Vishwanth temple or Birla temple

Another temple of New Vishwanath Temple known as Birla Temple Built is located at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus. This new temple, constructed by Birla family, is a part of a complex having the same style as that of Kashi Vishwanath Temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Apart from being an important pilgrim center, its white marble building and a vast area attract a large number of religious visitors. The New Vishwanath Temple which is known as the Birla Temple is for meditation and essence of Varanasi.

Opening & Closing Timing Of Birla Temple BHU

Aarti Timing Of Birla Temple BHU

History, importance and stories-

This new temple is in BHU campus and was constructed by Birla family in 1966. It is a recently constructed temple to Lord Shiva which has a similarity with the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is made of white marble and has been designed to offer a calm environment for worshipping with an art architecture reflecting the city of Varanasi in the modern era.

Location- BHU campus, Varanasi

Timing- 4AM to 12PM and 1PM to 9PM

10. Bharat Mata Temple

It is the only temple that exists in India wherein the temple is not dedicated to a deity but, to the Mother India. Sinduri Temple is situated inside the campus of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth and was also blessed by the presence of Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. It includes a large carved out topographical model of the nation in marble known as the relief map of India. This is a very proud example of nationalism where the temple inspires people to feel that India is their motherland and the people of India are its children. Compared to Varanasi, tourists who visit here are interested in exploring the cultural and geographical significance of the nation.

History, importance and stories-

This temple was made by Mohandas Karmachand Gandhi in 1936. It is situated within the geographical premises of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth and it contains a marble relief geographical map of India. The temple represents the nation and its people where an individual can embrace his regional background and feel proud of the country.

Location-Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth campus, Varanasi

Timing– 9:30AM to 8PM

Conclusion

Historically known as Banaras or Kashi, Varanasi is believed to be a city of Lord Shiva and is regarded as a city of spirituality and devotion. The Varanasi temple name refers to Kashi Vishwanath temple out of Varanasi all temple lists. The temples of Varanasi are not just religious institutions; they stand as the core of a city that has been spiritual since time immemorial. Each of them represents an important landmark of the city that can attract pilgrims from different parts of the world.

The visit of these temples offers appreciation to Varanasi’s ancient heritage. Whether in search of the ultimate spiritual experience, a cultural adventure, or the natural wonders, the temples of Varanasi are the temples that offer the divine adventure for a lifetime.