Varanasi's Crown Jewel

Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

The grand pathway connecting Manikarnika Ghat to the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Inaugurated in 2021, it's one of India's most ambitious heritage projects.

600m

Corridor Length

50+

Heritage Buildings Restored

₹800 Cr

Project Cost

2021

Inaugurated

🕒 Open: 3 AM – 11 PM daily 👕 Dress code for darshan 🎟️ Free entry · VIP ₹300 📷 Photos banned at sanctum

About the Corridor

From Cramped Galis to a Grand Dham

The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (officially Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham) is a 600-metre-long, 20-metre-wide pathway connecting Manikarnika Ghat directly to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Before 2021, devotees squeezed through narrow, congested lanes — some barely wide enough for one person — to reach the holiest Jyotirlinga in India.

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 13, 2021, the ₹800-crore project demolished over 400 old structures and restored 50+ heritage buildings — ancient havelis, temples and mathas — that now line the corridor like an open-air museum.

Today the corridor is a wide, clean, beautifully lit esplanade with security checkpoints, cloakrooms, shoe lockers, a museum, a cultural centre and a viewing gallery. What was once a stressful pilgrimage gauntlet is now a dignified walk — the way a visit to Kashi's holiest shrine always should have been.

🔱

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Inaugurated 13 December 2021 · 600m × 20m

Gallery

The Corridor in Pictures

The golden spire of Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham — the grand temple complex

Manikarnika Ghat — where the corridor begins

Lalita Ghat — restored havelis along the way

The corridor district — temples and lanes of old Kashi

Step by Step

Corridor Walkthrough

Manikarnika Ghat Entry

5 min

The corridor starts near Manikarnika Ghat. Enter from the western side. Security check and shoe deposit here. Arrive before 8 AM to breeze through.

Lalita Ghat Junction

10 min

Pass through the beautifully restored Lalita Ghat area. Photo ops at the restored havelis and the Adi Vishveshwar temple. The corridor widens here into its grand section.

Gyanvapi Mosque Complex

5 min

Walk past the Gyanvapi mosque area. Security is tight here — no photography allowed. Keep your ID ready if asked.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

30-60 min

The main destination. Enter through the grand corridor entrance. First the Nandi shrine, then the gold-plated sanctum where the original Jyotirlinga resides.

Jnana Vapi Well

10 min

The sacred well inside the temple complex, believed to hold Shiva's jnana (knowledge). Said to connect to the Ganga itself.

Corridor Exit & Museum

15 min

Exit through the designated route past the new Kashi Vishwanath Museum, prasad shops and souvenir stalls near the exit gate.

Choose Your Darshan

Darshan Options — Official 2026 Prices

All paid tickets ONLY on shrikashivishwanath.org · printed e-ticket + photo ID mandatory at the gate

General Darshan

Free

Regular queue through the sanctum passage. Open to all, no booking. Arrive 5-6 AM weekdays for shortest waits.

Wait: 1-5 hrs (Mon/Shravan: up to 8)

MOST BOOKED

Sugam Darshan (VIP)

₹250-300

Official queue-less fast-track escorted by a Shastri. Book ONLY at shrikashivishwanath.org — ₹250 without prasad / ₹300 with prasad + free locker. Slots open 15 days ahead at midnight. Entry Gate 4. Printed ticket + matching ID compulsory.

Wait: 20-45 min

Sparsh Darshan

₹300-1,800

Enter the garbhagriha and touch the Shivling. Strict dress code: dhoti/kurta (men), saree (women). Book 15-45 days ahead; Shravan/Mahashivratri price peaks at ₹1,800.

Wait: By slot

Mangala Aarti

₹500

Seated viewing of the pre-dawn awakening ritual with abhishekam. The most prized ticket — set a 2:30 AM alarm on the release night (15 days ahead).

Wait: 3:00-4:00 AM

Bhog / Sapta Rishi / Shringar Aarti

₹180 each

Ticketed seated viewing of midday Bhog (11:15 AM), evening Sapta Rishi (7 PM) or Shringar (9 PM) aartis inside the temple.

Wait: Seated

🎫 Booking Cheat-Sheet

Portal

shrikashivishwanath.org only — fake sites abound

Slot release

15 days ahead, 12:00 AM sharp (Sparsh: 45 days)

Entry gate

Gate 4 (Shapuri Mall side) · arrive 30 min early

Helpline

+91 63931 31608 · "Ask Nandi" chatbot on portal

Full Sugam Darshan booking guide →

Plan Around the Aartis

Temple Timings & Aartis

Mangala Aarti

3:00 – 4:00 AM

The first aarti of the day — attendance requires advance booking

Temple Darshan

4:00 – 11:00 AM

Best time for a peaceful darshan — fewer crowds

Bhoga Aarti

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Midday offering to the deity

Temple Reopens

12:00 – 7:00 PM

Afternoon darshan — usually the longest queue of the day

Sapta Rishi Aarti

7:00 – 8:30 PM

Evening aarti, followed by Shringar aarti at 9 PM

Night Closing

11:00 PM

Temple closes after the last aarti

Getting There

How to Reach the Corridor

🚶

Walk from Godowlia

From Godowlia crossing it is a 10-minute walk through the lanes of old Kashi. Follow the crowd or the signs to the corridor.

Cheapest

🛺

Auto-rickshaw

Autos drop you at Godowlia or the collectorate road — the corridor itself is pedestrian-only. ₹30-50 from most central locations.

Common

🚕

Taxi / Cab

Uber/Ola drop at Godowlia or Maidagin. The corridor entry is a short walk away. Cars cannot enter the old city core.

Comfortable

🛥️

Boat to Manikarnika

The most atmospheric arrival — take a boat along the Ganga and get off at Manikarnika Ghat, right where the corridor begins.

Scenic

Tips for the Corridor

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Visit early morning (3-5 AM) for the most peaceful darshan experience

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Book VIP darshan online 2-3 days in advance during festivals (Shivratri, Ganga Aarti)

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Leave your phone and leather items at the hotel if you want uninterrupted darshan

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Carry a small cloth bag for shoes — lockers are available but charges apply

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The corridor is stunningly lit at night — visit after 8 PM for photos

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Combine with Manikarnika Ghat — walk through the corridor, then visit the ghat

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The Mangala Aarti (3 AM) requires prior booking at the temple office

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Weekdays are far less crowded than weekends and Mondays

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor?

The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor is a 600-metre-long pathway connecting Manikarnika Ghat to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Inaugurated in December 2021, it was built at a cost of ₹800 crore. The project demolished 400+ old buildings and restored 50+ heritage structures.

What are the timings for Kashi Vishwanath Temple?

The temple is open from 3 AM to 11 PM daily. The corridor is open 24/7 but temple darshan happens only during these hours. Early morning (3-7 AM) is the best time to avoid crowds.

Is there a dress code for the corridor?

No strict dress code for the corridor itself. However, for temple darshan, traditional/modest clothing is expected. Men should wear dhoti/veshti or trousers; women should wear saree/salwar kameez. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.

Can I take photos in the corridor?

Photography is allowed in most parts of the corridor. However, photography is strictly prohibited inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex and near the main sanctum of the temple. Mobile phones must be switched off inside the sanctum.

How do I book VIP (Sugam) darshan?

Book online ONLY at shrikashivishwanath.org or the official "Kashi Vishwanath Dham" app — ₹250 (without prasad) or ₹300 (with prasad). Slots open exactly 15 days in advance at midnight; the 6-7 AM slot vanishes first. Enter devotee details matching your photo ID character-for-character, pay, then PRINT the e-ticket (phone screens not accepted at the gate). Entry via Gate 4 near Shapuri Mall — arrive 30 min early. Same-day tickets only at the Gate 2 helpdesk if slots remain. Helpline: +91 63931 31608.

What items are prohibited in the corridor?

No leather items (bags, belts, wallets), no food, no weapons, no large bags. Mobile phones are allowed but must be kept on silent. Small bags are searched at security checkpoints. Shoe lockers are available near the entries.

Is the corridor wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the corridor is designed to be accessible with ramps at all entry points. However, the main sanctum has a few steps — temple staff can assist. A wheelchair is also available at the main entrance.

Can I visit the corridor at night?

Yes! The corridor is beautifully illuminated at night and is open 24/7. The best time for photos is after 8 PM when the crowds thin out. The temple itself is open until 11 PM.