Famous Temples in Banaras You Must Visit

The essential temples that make Banaras one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, with history and practical visiting notes for each

Banaras, known officially as Varanasi and also called Kashi, is said to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and its identity has been shaped for millennia by an extraordinary concentration of temples along and around the Ganges. While the ghats and the river itself often dominate a first-time visitor's mental image of the city, the temples of Banaras are where its spiritual weight is most concentrated, each with its own specific history, deity and role in the rituals that define daily life here.

This guide covers the most important temples in Banaras, from the city's holiest shrine to smaller but genuinely significant sites most visitors overlook, along with practical notes for actually visiting each one.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The most important temple in Banaras and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Shiva shrines in Hinduism, Kashi Vishwanath sits just steps from the ghats and draws an enormous daily flow of pilgrims. The temple in its current form was rebuilt in the 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maratha queen of Indore, after earlier structures were destroyed over the centuries, and its golden spire, funded later by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, remains one of the most recognisable sights in the old city. Expect security screening and significant queues, particularly in the early morning and on festival days, and arriving before sunrise generally means a considerably shorter wait.

Kaal Bhairav Temple

Dedicated to Kaal Bhairav, a fierce guardian form of Shiva considered the protector deity and, according to local tradition, the actual kotwal or police chief of the city, this temple holds a genuinely unique place in Banaras's spiritual life: many pilgrims believe a visit to Kashi Vishwanath is considered incomplete without first seeking Kaal Bhairav's blessing and permission. The temple's atmosphere is notably different from the serene grandeur of larger shrines, more intense and ritual-heavy, reflecting the deity's fierce character.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

A major Hanuman temple with a warmer, more community-driven feel than the city's largest shrines, founded in its current form by the 16th-century poet-saint Tulsidas, who is also credited with composing the Hanuman Chalisa. The temple is known for the large population of monkeys living around its grounds, and Tuesdays and Saturdays, considered particularly auspicious for Hanuman worship, draw the largest and most devotional crowds of the week.

Durga Temple (Monkey Temple)

Built in the 18th century and known locally as the Monkey Temple for the same reason as Sankat Mochan, this striking red ochre-painted shrine is dedicated to the goddess Durga and remains one of the city's most visually distinctive temples. The temple includes a sacred water tank, the Durga Kund, and offers a slightly quieter, more contemplative visit than the city's most crowded pilgrimage sites.

Tulsi Manas Temple

A comparatively modern temple, built in 1964, standing on the site where Tulsidas is believed to have written the Ramcharitmanas, his Awadhi-language retelling of the Ramayana. The temple's marble walls are inscribed with verses from the epic itself, making it as much a literary pilgrimage site as a devotional one, and it sits conveniently close to Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple for visitors wanting to see both in the same outing.

Annapurna Temple

Dedicated to Annapurna, the goddess of food and nourishment, this temple sits close to Kashi Vishwanath and is closely associated with Banaras's identity as a city where, according to tradition, no devotee is ever meant to go hungry. The temple is particularly known for a specific annual tradition of gifting a golden ladle-shaped ornament to visitors as a symbol of the goddess's blessing, drawing large crowds especially around the Annakut festival following Diwali.

New Vishwanath Temple (Birla Temple)

Located within the Banaras Hindu University campus, this temple was built in the 20th century by the Birla family and is notable for being open to visitors of all castes and backgrounds without restriction, a deliberate and historically significant departure from some of the access limitations that existed at older city temples during the period it was built. Its clean white marble architecture and calmer, more spacious setting within the university grounds offer a genuinely different atmosphere from the dense old city temples.

Vishalakshi Temple

One of the Shakti Peethas, a network of temples across the Indian subcontinent believed to mark sites connected to the goddess Sati in Hindu mythology, Vishalakshi Temple is dedicated to a form of the goddess Parvati and holds particular significance for devotees following Shakta traditions specifically. It is a smaller, quieter site compared to the city's most visited temples, appealing to pilgrims interested in a more specific, less crowded spiritual stop.

Practical Tips for Visiting Banaras's Temples

Dress modestly at every temple, covered shoulders and knees are expected, and be prepared for security screening, particularly at Kashi Vishwanath, where bags, phones and cameras are frequently restricted or need to be deposited before entry. Early morning visits, generally before 8 AM, offer the shortest queues and the most authentic devotional atmosphere at nearly every major temple in this list. Many temples, including Kashi Vishwanath specifically, restrict entry for non-Hindus at certain points or altogether, so it is worth confirming current access policies before planning a visit if this applies.

Getting Started

Banaras holds far more temples than any single visit can realistically cover, but Kashi Vishwanath, Kaal Bhairav and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple together capture the core of the city's devotional life and are worth prioritising on a first visit. Travellers with more time should add Durga Temple and Tulsi Manas Temple, both within easy reach of each other, for a fuller picture of Banaras beyond its most famous single shrine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-Hindus visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple?

Access policies have varied over time and can be restrictive at certain points, so it is worth checking current entry rules before visiting. Several other temples in this list, including the New Vishwanath Temple at Banaras Hindu University, are more consistently open to all visitors.

How many temples can realistically be visited in one day in Banaras?

Three to four temples in reasonably close proximity, such as Kashi Vishwanath, Kaal Bhairav and Annapurna Temple together, is a realistic target for a single day without rushing. Seeing the full list in this guide comfortably fits into two days.

Is photography allowed inside these temples?

It varies significantly by temple, and phones and cameras are often restricted entirely at Kashi Vishwanath for security reasons. It is best to check at the entrance of each specific temple rather than assuming photography is permitted.

What is the best time of day to visit these temples?

Early morning, generally before 8 AM, offers the shortest queues and most devotional atmosphere at nearly every temple in Banaras, particularly the busiest sites like Kashi Vishwanath and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple.