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Famous Temples in Varanasi

Top 7 Famous Temples in Varanasi You Can’t Miss

99Pandit Ji
Last Updated:November 18, 2025

Famous Temples in Varanasi: Varanasi, also called Kashi or Banaras, the city of Lord Shiva, is believed to achieve liberation. This is the spiritual capital of the country.

This is the place where Hinduism grew and has been cherished since the dawn of enlightenment. The followers here believe that the gods developed the city to stay.

Famous Temples in Varanasi

When civilization thrived, people developed multiple temples along with ghats of the River Ganges. Varanasi is the perfect combination of spirituality, culture, and history.

From iconic ghats to temples, forts, and museums, there’s no lack of incredible Varanasi visit places.

Recently, with the massive redevelopment of the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor, the city of Shiv and Shakti has achieved more attention as a ‘must-visit place for spiritual travel in India’.

Dive into the culture of Hinduism, history, and devotion. Banaras gives a divine presence where temple bells echo alongside the chants of Ganga Arti. Every street and ghat here looks like whispering stories of faith and eternity.

However, we have curated the list of the top 7 famous temples in Varanasi, which are quite popular in terms of spiritual elements, historic beauty, architectural factors, unique beliefs, and more.

Top 7 Famous Temples in Varanasi

Discover the top 7 popular temples of Varanasi, each a sanctuary of religiousness, from Kashi Vishwanath to Sarnath, and embrace divine blessings.

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is one of the most popular of all sites and a crown jewel among Hindu pilgrimage sites.

The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and one of the twelve jyotirlinga, makes it a spiritually powerful place.

Famous Temples in Varanasi

It has been devastated and redeveloped multiple times, with its current form dating back to 1780 under the reign of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar.

It has gold plating on the main dome, giving it the popular name Golden Temple. Thousands of devotees every year come to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings, and the energy is completely unmatched.

Currently developed corridor of Kashi Vishwanath links the temple directly with Ganga ghats, making it simpler for travelers to access the shrine after a holy dip.

There is a belief about the temple that if you see the golden spire, your wish will come true.

This is the most visited during important festivals like in the months of Shravan, Diwali, Mahashivratri, and Dev Diwali.

  • Timings: 3:00 AM – 11:00 PM (with special Mangala Aarti in early hours).
  • Entry Fee: Free, but special darshan tickets cost approx ₹300–₹500.
  • Best Time to Visit: Early morning during Mangala Aarti (3–4 AM) or evening Sandhya Aarti. Winter months (Oct–Feb) are advised to visit.
  • Travel Tip: May encounter trouble with long queues; a tour guide in Varanasi can guide you with temple entry, rituals, and narrate its deep history. Take minimal belongings, as strict security rules could be enforced.
  • Key highlights: Golden spire, Mangala aarti and bhog arpan, and historic Kashi corridor sightseeing
  • Location: Vishwanath Gali, near Dashashwamedh Ghat

2. Durga Kund Temple

Another must-visit place, Durga kund temple in Varanasi developed in the 18th century by Rani Bhabani, the queen of Bengal.

This is dedicated to Goddess Durga, a symbol of power and protection. Its bright red facade is popular, and the temple is developed in the style of North indian nagara architecture.

Famous Temples in Varanasi

The Durga temple is found next to a rectangular pond, which is known as Durga kund, that is believed to be auspicious.

During Navaratri or Durga Puja, the temple becomes a hub of devotion and festivity, drawing thousands of pilgrims and travelers. According to legend, the goddess appeared spontaneously as the guardian of Kashi.

The pond of dark water alongside the temple is said to have been linked to the river Ganga for many years.

The practice of lord vishnu sitting in the sea on the coiled up Shesh Naag is made every year in the kund.

  • Timings: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
  • Entry Fee: Free.
  • Best Time to Visit: Navratri festival (Sept–Oct) for grand celebrations.
  • Travel Tip: Advised to visit early in the morning for a calm darshan. A tour guide in Varanasi can explain to you the mythological stories connected with Goddess Durga here. Photography is prohibited inside the temple.
  • Key highlights: Iconic red temple by Durga Kund, incredible Nagara architecture, and quiet surroundings
  • Location: Durga Kund, Bhelupur, near BHU and Tulsi Manas

3. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is one of the most sacred temples in Varanasi and is dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

It was discovered by the saint poet Tulsidas, as the temple is considered to have been developed in the 16th century at the exact place where he had a dream of Hanuman.

Famous Temples in Varanasi

The name sankat mochan describes the meaning as a reliever of pain and sorrows. You will see multiple monkeys in this temple, and hence, it is called the monkey temple of Varanasi.

The lord is always adorned with marigold flowers and offered besan ladoo. Feeding the monkeys here is thought to be an auspicious practice among visitors.

The most suitable time to visit the temple is on Tuesday and Saturday, considered auspicious for Hanuman followers. It has a powerful and uplifting vibe, making it one of the auspicious places to visit in Kashi.

  • Timings: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
  • Entry Fee: Free.
  • Best Time to Visit: Tuesday, early mornings are considered to witness peak devotion.
  • Travel Tip: Be careful of monkeys around the temple—they may snatch food. A local guide can help you go through the busy temple areas.
  • Key highlights: Popular for Hanuman Chalisa chantings, Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, and vibrant devotional energy
  • Location: Durgakund Road, near Assi Ghat/BHU
  • Pro‑tip: Take prasad (laddus), tie threads for desires

4. Kaal Bhairav Temple

Kaal Bhairav temple, located in Varanasi, is dedicated to another incarnation of lord shiva, which is his most aggressive form. Developed in the 17th century, the temple is one of the city’s oldest.

This is honored to the city’s guardian, folklore keeps that anyone seeking to enter or depart Varanasi should attain Baba Kalbhairav’s permission.

Famous Temples in Varanasi

The deity is honored in the most horrific manner possible, with a garland made of human skulls around his neck and an angry face.

It is believed that the oil taken from the temple can cure a variety of illnesses, especially dog bites.

The legend says that no pilgrimage in Varanasi is complete without visiting the Kaal bhairav temple, as Bhairav Nath is the protector of the city.

Devotees offer black cloth, alcohol, or oil to the deity as a part of ritual – a unique offering that makes this temple apart from others.

It is believed that lord kaal bhairav protects the people from evil forces and blesses them with strength.

This is why it is one of the most important Varnasi visit places for spiritual attainers who desire to experience spirituality, the mystical culture of Hinduism.

  • Timings: 5:00 AM – 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
  • Entry Fee: Free.
  • Best Time to Visit: Early in the mornings or during the festival of Kaal Bhairav Ashtami (November–December).
  • Travel Tip: The temple can be found in a narrow lane; wear comfortable shoes. Get a tour expert with you to know the powerful legends of Kaal Bhairav.
  • Key highlights: Legend says that one should seek his permission before entering or leaving Kashi; extreme energy.
  • Location: Visheshwarganj Road, near the post office.
  • Pro‑tip: Offer liquor; photography often not allowed.

5. Annapurna Devi Temple

Annapurna Devi Mandir, where the deity or mother, who offers food and nourishment to all living souls in the body.

The temple was built by Peshwa Baji Rao of the Maratha region in 1729 in the Nagara architecture.

Famous Temples in Varanasi

As per the locals, donating grains and food items to the temple is considered a form of devotion and donation.

Among the other temples, it’s one of the very few temples that have more than one prime deity.

The deity designed with brass is seen every single day in the shrine, whereas the gold idol is only used on Annakut, a day celebrated before Diwali.

This is close to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The legend says, lord shiva once debated with Goddess Parvati about the significance of material things.

To prove herself, the Goddess appeared as Annapurna Devi and described that without food, spirituality cannot exist. Hence, becomes one of the significant temples.

Followers believe that honoring here assures prosperity and that no one ever leaves the temple hungry. Annakut is an important festival of this temple, which is very popular.

  • Timings: 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
  • Entry Fee: Free.
  • Best Time to Visit: It is advised to visit in October–November when the Annakut festival is celebrated.
  • Travel Tip: Don’t skip the prasad (offering), as it’s believed to be a blessing of the goddess.
  • Key highlights: Unique goddess of nourishment temple, gold idol glance on Annakut day
  • Location: Vishwanath Gali near Kashi Vishwanath
  • Pro‑tip: Visit after Kashi Vishwanath prasad, which usually attracts tourists.

6. Tulsi Manas Temple

The Tulsi Manas temple was made in 1964 to show the beauty of work performed by Tulsidas and was developed at the same place where poet Tulsidas wrote his popular Ramcharitmanas in the 16th century, using white marble.

The inner wall of the temple has many poems designed from the epic. Today, the temple is known as a cultural destination rather than a religious site.

Famous Temples in Varanasi

The temple is not only a temple but also a cultural landmark in Varanasi. Through the temple, lord ram’s story is accessible to the common people.

Whoever wants to discover the spiritual as well as literary heritage of the city can visit this famous place in Varanasi.

  • Timings: 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
  • Entry Fee: Free.
  • Best Time to Visit: Evenings, when devotional songs and bhajans are conducted.
  • Travel Tip: Bring a camera with you to capture the detailed inscriptions. A Varanasi tour guide can describe to you the meanings of the verses if you are new to Indian scriptures.
  • Key highlights: Engraved Ramcharitmanas walls, a serene museum of manuscripts, and a devotional atmosphere.
  • Location: Durga Kund Road, 250 m south of Durga Temple
  • Pro‑tip: Silent reading space inside; cultural worship.

7. Bharat Mata Temple

The only holy structure in the world that is devoted to a country. Mother India is the center epitome of devotion at Bharat Mata Mandir, where a huge marble map representing the landscape of undivided India is displayed with expressive characteristics.

Freedom fighter Babu Shiv Prasad developed the temple in 1939, inaugurated by Mahatam gandhi. This is a unique temple as it doesn’t have any idols of gods or goddesses.

Famous Temples in Varanasi

Rather, it has a giant marble relief map of India. Initiated by Mahatma Gandhi, it shows the unity and cultural aspects of India.

The people who are history lovers, students, and travelers who need to know the different cultures of Varanasi apart from spirituality.

It has fewer crowds and is perfect for spending time learning about India’s geography and freedom facts.

  • Timings: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
  • Entry Fee: Free.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mornings, when the place is quiet.
  • Travel Tip: Book a tour guide in Varanasi if you want to know the history behind its development and symbolism.
  • Key highlights: No worship of god and goddess, just a symbolic map; encourages unity across faiths
  • Location: Kashi Vidyapith Campus
  • Pro‑tip: Perfect spot for a cultural tour, the Banaras temple list goes beyond gods.

Conclusion

Immerse yourself in the holy land of Varanasi and its spiritual richness by visiting the renowned temples.

Each place holds a testament to centuries-old devotion and architectural brilliance. From sacred temples and holy ghats to forts, these 7 famous temples show the city’s timeless beauty.

The places give profound experiences, indicating the eternal connection between humanity and the divine.

Experience the rituals, adopt tranquility, and adhere to the deep cultural traditions of the ancient city.

Whether you’re a traveler, worshipper, or history lover, Varanasi gives an unforgettable experience.

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