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Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple is also called the Golden Temple, thanks to its pure gold spire and dome. The current building dates from 1780, but temples stood in the same place for centuries. Dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva—one of the most significant deities in the Hindu pantheon—Kashi Vishwanath is a major pilgrimage site.The BasicsEvery day, thousands of Hindu devotees flock to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located near the auspicious western banks of the Ganga River. Kashi Vishwanath is one of India’s 12 so-called Jyotirlinga temples, important sites of worship to Lord Shiva. The temple complex consists of the main shrine to Shiva, as well as temples dedicated to other gods. Go to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple independently, or on a guided tour of the ancient city. Walking tours of the area around the river are popular, as the narrow twisting lanes can be hard to navigate for first-time visitors. Guided excursions that stop by the temple sometimes include a boat ride and a visit to several of the ghats (steps) along the Ganga.Things to Know Before You GoWhen entering a Hindu temple, it’s customary to remove your shoes and socks and leave them on the provided shoe racks.Phones, cameras, cigarettes, lighters, and other items are prohibited inside the temple. Visitors pass through security checks before entering. Cover your arms and legs with long sleeves and pants before entering the temple.How to Get ThereThe maze of streets in Varanasi’s old town, west of the Ganga, can be confusing, and it’s easy to get lost. Don’t worry—that’s part of the experience of exploring Varanasi. The temple stands just west of Manikarnika Ghat, one of the main steps on the river.When to Get ThereThe temple is usually closed for only a few hours in the middle of the night. Early morning is the best time to go, to avoid long lines. If you dislike crowds, avoid visiting during Hindu festivals, particularly Maha Shivaratri in February or March.Watch the Ganga Aarti at Manikarnika GhatThe Kashi Vishwanath Temple is near Manikarnika Ghat on the banks of the Ganga, where the evening aarti (ceremony) happens every day. Hindu priests perform ceremonies worshipping the Ganga River, which holds a vital place in Hindu mythology. Although crowded, this is an experience you shouldn’t miss.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple)

Varanasi’s ghats (Banaras Ghats) descend from the city down the banks and into the waters of the holy River Ganges. There are almost 100 individual ghats lining the river’s edge in this region, their steep steps making access to the river possible during both the wet and dry seasons. The oldest and most famous ghats in the area are Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, and Harishchandra. Others include Assi Ghat, Scindia Ghat, Lalita Ghat, and Kedar Ghat.

As the religious capital of India among Hindus, Varanasi sees pilgrims and other visitors drawn to the Banaras Ghats in their droves. Visitors can absorb the atmosphere by taking a sunrise boat-ride along the river, while marveling at the colorful temples and religious activities lining the water’s edge.

Varanasi Ghats (Banaras Ghats)

The Dhammek Stupa is a giant cylindrical Buddhist stupa situated in Sarnath, near Varanasi. This huge structure was built on the site where the Buddha was said to have given his first sermon to his disciples after attaining enlightenment. As such, it is one of the most important and revered sites for Buddhist pilgrims within India.

The Dhamek Stupa was constructed in 500 CE to replace an earlier structure, and has been enlarged on several occasions over the years. It has been constructed from a mixture of stone and brick, and measures 28 meters in diameter at its base and almost 44 meters in height.

The stupa sits within beautifully manicured gardens, providing the ideal place for pilgrims and visitors to enjoy their surroundings and reflect on the life of the Buddha. The Dhamek Stupa’s immediate vicinity also features a number of half-ruined monasteries and the remains of much smaller stupas.

Dhamek Stupa

Dasaswamedh Ghat is one of the busiest, oldest, and most important ghats in Varanasi. It's the site of a number of Hindu temples and shrines and a place where pilgrims come from all over the world to perform religious ceremonies and rituals. Many devotees visit the ghat at sunrise to pay homage to Lord Shiva and bath in the holy waters of the Ganges, while evening aarti, which see thousands of floating lamps immersed in the river, attracts huge crowds from far and wide.

Literally translated, Dasaswamedh means ‘the ghat of 10 sacrificed horses.’ According to Hindu mythology, ten horses were sacrificed by Lord Brahma to allow Shiva to return from a period of banishment. Despite its age, Dasaswamedh Ghat is attractive, colorful, and relatively clean, and even non-devotees are attracted by its atmosphere, daily rituals, and beautiful riverfront views.

Dashashwamedh Ghat

The Chaukhandi Stupa is an important Buddhist stupa originally built as a terraced temple to mark the place where the Buddha and his first disciples met when traveling from Bodhgaya to Sarnath.

Built during the Gupta period (4th-6th centuries), the stupa’s octagonal top tower was said to be added much later by Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, in 1588 during the Mughal era. He built the additional tower to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the great Mughal ruler. 

The stupa stands amid beautifully maintained gardens and serves as the gateway to the Buddhist city of Sarnath. It is just a short walk from the structure to the Sarnath Museum nearby, and also close to the other sites and attractions of Sarnath.

Chaukhandi Stupa

Home to the Kedarnath Temple, not to mention serene scenes of the sun rising from the holy waters of the Ganges, Kedar Ghat in Varanasi is one of the most important and picturesque ghats in the region. Popular among Bengalis and South Indians, the Kedareshwar Temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of Varanasi, and is a fine example of Hindu architecture. There’s also a Parvati Kund nearby, a small pool of water that’s believed to have highly medicinal properties.The approach to Kedar Ghat is through a maze of narrow alleyways bustling with cattle, devotees, and operators organizing River Ganges boat rides. The steps down to the water are high and steep, with the upper steps brightly painted in stripes.

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