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Kashi Vishwanath

Reaching the temple gates

Cars cannot drive up to the temple. Every route ends with a short walk through the old city or up from the river. Here is how to plan that last mile.

Nearest landmark
Godowlia Chowk
From Godowlia
~10 min walk
By river
Lalita Ghat
From airport
~25 km
Crowds and boats at Dashashwamedh Ghat by day
Photo · Abhishek Dixit

Beware of scammers on the ghats. Touts and self-styled “guides” or “priests” roam the Ganga ghats and temple lanes, offering VIP darshan, pujas, boat rides or “donations for cremation wood”. Never pay anyone in advance, and never pay for a service before you have actually received it. Book temple services only through the official trust.

The last mile

Map of old Kashi around Kashi Vishwanath (not to scale) The Ganga runs along the east. Ghats from south to north: Assi, Tulsi, Harishchandra, Kedar, Dashashwamedh, Lalita, Manikarnika, Panchganga and Raj Ghat. Kashi Vishwanath Dham sits behind Lalita and Manikarnika ghats, a ten minute walk from Godowlia crossing, where vehicles stop. GANGA ↑ flows north Dashashwamedh Rd to Varanasi Jn & airport → to Assi & BHU ↓ Kashi Vishwanath Dham & temple Annapurna Godowlia vehicles stop here Maidagin Kaal Bhairav barrier ~10 min walk Raj Ghat Panchganga Manikarnika Lalita Dashashwamedh Kedar Harishchandra Tulsi Assi Dashashwamedh · Ganga Aarti Lalita · river gate to the Dham Manikarnika · cremation ghat Assi · Subah-e-Banaras boat · Assi → Lalita ~40 min N
Schematic map, not to scale. Gate positions change; follow signs and staff on the day. Open in Google Maps

Walk from Godowlia

Vehicles are stopped around Godowlia Chowk and Maidagin. From Godowlia, walk along Dashashwamedh Road towards the temple gates — about 10 minutes, longer in crowds.

Come by boat

Hire a boat from Dashashwamedh, Assi or your hotel’s ghat to Lalita Ghat, then walk up through the Dham. Beautiful at dawn.

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E-rickshaw or cycle-rickshaw

From most hotels, an e-rickshaw can drop you at Godowlia or Maidagin. Agree on the fare before you start.

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With elderly travellers

Ask your driver to drop you as close as permitted, then use a cycle-rickshaw for the remaining stretch where allowed, and a wheelchair inside the Dham.

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From the stations and airport

From Distance Time How
Varanasi Junction (BSB, “Cantt”) ~5 km 20–40 min Prepaid auto / taxi or app cab to Godowlia, then walk
Banaras station (BSBS) ~6 km 25–45 min Auto or cab to Godowlia
Varanasi City (BCY) ~4 km 20–30 min Auto to Maidagin or Godowlia
Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn (DDU) ~17 km 45–75 min Taxi across the Ganga to Godowlia
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS) ~25 km 45–75 min Prepaid taxi or app cab

Times depend heavily on traffic, especially in the evening around Godowlia.

Which area to stay in for easy darshan

  • Dashashwamedh–Godowlia: the closest. Walk to the temple and the evening Ganga Aarti.
  • The ghats between Kedar and Manikarnika: guest houses on the river, often reachable only on foot.
  • Assi and Bhelupur: calmer, a 15–25 minute rickshaw ride to Godowlia.
  • Cantonment: larger hotels and easy station access, 30–45 minutes from the temple.

Local tip. See our where to stay guide for the trade-offs of each area.

Keep planning

Related guides

Kashi Vishwanath Entry rules & what to carry Getting here Getting around Stay Where to stay Kashi Vishwanath The Dham corridor Getting here Location & map Kashi Vishwanath About the temple