11 Most Famous Hindu Temples in Varanasi and Their Details
Varanasi is home to numerous temples that embody Hindu culture and traditions. These temples were built by monks, kings and saints over the centuries. The temples of Varanasi have strong ties to Hindu spirituality and mythology. Unfortunately, during the Mughal rule, some of these temples were destroyed and replaced by mosques. The most famous of these is the Kashgar Vishwanath Temple, which has been controversial for many years, and is a place where community riots often occur. This article covers the list of the best Varanasi temples.
To learn more about the famous temples of Varanasi, keep reading:
Must visit temples in Varanasi, India:
- Bharat Mata Mandir
- Durga Mandir
- Santa Cata de Vimandir
- Sankat Mochan Mandir
- Annapurna Goddess Mandir
- Lalita Gori Temple
- Kashgar Vishwanath Temple
- Karbalaf Mandir
- New Viswana Temple
- Luyeyuan Buddhist Temple
- Dundi Raj Ganesh Temple
1. Bharat Mata Mandir:
The Bharat Mata Mandir in Varanasi is one of the most important temples in the city. Located at the Vidyapith campus of Mahatma Gandhi Kashgar, this temple is regularly visited by people from all over Varanasi. This temple is considered unique as it is one of the few temples dedicated to the mother of India, hence the name Bharat Mata.
- address: Cannt Road, Guru Nanak Nagar Colony, Chetganj, Varanasi, UP – 221001
- time: 9.30am to 8pm
- Dress Code: no dress code
- About. Visiting time: ½ hour to 1 hour
- how can I get there: Easily accessible by any local transport.
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Republic Day and Independence Day of India
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2. Durga Mandir:
Another important temple in Varanasi is the Durga Shrine. This temple presents a beautiful and unique architectural style. On the temple campus, there is a rectangular tank filled with water called Durga Kund. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is painted red to represent the goddess’ color. Every year during Nag Panchami, the temple is packed with a large number of devout devotees.
- address: 27, Durgakund Rd, Anand bagh, Bhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005
- time: 5am to 11pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 12 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: http://shridurgamandir.com/
- Best time to visit: Navratri
- Other attractions: Banaras Hindu University
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3. Sankata Devi Mandir:
One of the most recognizable temples in the country is the Sankata Devi Mandir. Located near the Sindya Ghat, the temple is considered one of the most important temples in the city. Sankata Devi or Goddess of Healing is enshrined here. Inside the temple, you will find a huge statue of a lion, as the lion is also her wahana (vehicle).
- address: CK 21/20, Shitala Gali, Garwasitola, Ghasi Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
- time: 5am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: ½ hour to 1 hour
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Year round, Navratri
- Other attractions: Asi Ghat, Trilokan Ghat
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4. Sankat Mochan Mandir:
People from all over the country come to this temple to effectively solve various problems. This temple is dedicated to the mighty Lord Hanuman. The word Sankat translates as problem/pain, while Mochan means eradication. People have been seen chanting verses related to the Lord in the most problematic situations because of their strong belief in Lord Hanuman. The temple hosts many religious and ethnic festivals.
- address: Sankat mochan Saket Nagar Rd, Saket Nagar Colony, Sankata Mochan Leprosy, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005
- time: 5am to 10pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 1 to 2 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: http://jaihanumanji.in/sankat-mochan-hanuman-mandir-varanasi/
- Best time to visit: Hanuman Jayanti
- Other attractions: Temple of Tridev, Temple of Tulsimanas
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5. Annapurna Devi Mandir:
Of all the temples discussed above, this one is the most important. This temple is located near the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Devi Annapurna is considered a goddess of food and is actually a form of Devi Parvati (the wife of Lord Shiva). After Parvati returned to Kelasha to feed Shiva with his own hands, the Lord agreed that the material world could not be regarded as an illusion, a fact that he was unwilling to accept, thus annoyed Goddess Parvati.
- address: D 9, Annapurna Math Mandir, 1, Vishwanath Gali, Godowlia, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
- time: 4am to 10pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 1 to 2 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: http://kashiannapurnaannakshetratrust.in/
- Best time to visit: annual
- Other attractions: Kashgar Vishwana Temple
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6. Lalita Gauri Temple:
This is one of the most beautiful temples in Varanasi. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Lalita Gauriand and it is located in one of the Ganges ghats named after the goddess herself. Built in the 19th century on the orders of Nepalese King Rana Bahadur Shah, the temple also houses the famous Nepalese shrine. According to Hindu stories, those who worship this goddess wholeheartedly will have great wealth and great prosperity in the future.
- address: Near Meer Ghat, Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
- time: open 24 hours
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: ½ hour to 1 hour
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: annual
- Other attractions: Ganga Mahal Ghat, Nehru Park
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7. Kashgar Vishna Temple:
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Varanasi is considered one of the most important temples in the country. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is an important part of Indian history as the name of this temple is mentioned in the Puranas. The temple has been built several times over the years. First destroyed in the 11th century, it is definitely one of the oldest temples in the country. This temple tops the list of temples in Varanasi.
- address: La Horitola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
- time: 3am to 11pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 2 to 4 hours
- how can I get there: The temple is only 2 km from the main city of Varanasi and is easily accessible by local transport.
- Temple website: www.shrikashivishwanath.org
- Best time to visit: Maha Shivratri or between October and March.
- Other attractions: Ganges altar
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8. Kaal Bhairav Mandir:
This historic temple is one of the most beautiful and oldest in Varanasi. It is dedicated to the most aggressive and destructive forms of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva was enraged when the Vedas declared Shiva the supreme god, but Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma scoffed at it. A battle resulted in the burning of Lord Brahma’s head, which was later carried away by the ferocious light of Lord Shiv “Karl”, who later wandered around with the severed head, which landed in Varanasi, where his sins were washed Net, he stayed. Unlike other temples, wine is served to the owner of the temple. It is said that this Karabilava temple in Varanasi was built in the 17th century AD and was thought to solve all the problems of its devotees.
- address: k37/124, Golghar, Bazardiha, Maheshpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002
- time: 5:00am to 1:30pm and 4:30pm to 9:30pm
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Sunday, Tuesday, Annacoor
- Other attractions: Kashgar Vishwanath Temple
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9. New Viswana Temple (Birla Mandir):
The temple is run by the Birla organization and is a replica of the ruined old Vishwanath temple. This temple holds a prominent place in the Banaras Hindu University. The uniqueness of the temple is that it is open to people of all religions and cultures. This temple is a place of worship for Lord Shiva and one of the most popular temples in Varanasi.
- address: Banaras Hindu University campus, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- time: Starts at 4am (closed for a few hours in between)
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: ½ to 1 hour
- how can I get there: local transportation
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Shivratri
- Other attractions: BHU
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10. Luye Garden:
Deer Park, 8 km from Varanasi, is another major tourist destination. This is a world famous temple where the Buddha delivered his first sermon at the Deer Park in Sarnath. Later, during the reign of King Ashoka, this Varanasi Buddhist temple developed and has some of the finest monuments that India is proud of.
- address: Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – 221007
- time: sunrise to sunset
- Dress Code: decent attire
- About. Visiting time: 1 to 2 hours
- how can I get there: The temple can be accessed via the national highway as well as other local transport in the city.
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: annual
- Other attractions: Dhamek Stupa, Choukhandi Stupa
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11. Dundi Raj Ganesh Temple:
This is one of the oldest Ganesh temples in Varanasi. It is also one of the lesser-known temples in the city, located in the alleys of the Kashgar Vishwanath Temple. It is believed that those who visit this temple will be free from all kinds of troubles and obstacles. Legend has it that when Lord Shiva came to Kashgar (now Varanasi, the Kashivishwanath temple), his son Lord Ganesha followed him and settled here briefly.
- address: La Horitola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
- time: 5:30am to 10:30pm
- Dress Code: no dress code
- About. Visiting time: ½ hour to 1 hour
- how can I get there: Walking distance to Kashgar Vishwanath Temple
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: annual
- Other attractions: Kashgar Vishwanath Temple
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The great thing about these temples is that despite many invasions, vandalisms and disturbances, Hinduism is still very intact and active. These temples are silent symbols of a bygone era, a true test of time. Not only are they the embodiment of Hindu culture, they are also some of the greatest monuments in the world. Varanasi is a city where not much violence can separate it from breathing and living Hinduism.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. Is Dundi Raj Ganesh Temple near Kashi Vishwanath?
Yes, Dundi Raj Ganesh Temple is near Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This distance can be easily accomplished in a few minutes’ walk.
2. Can I visit Durga Shrine in the afternoon?
It is best to visit the temple in the morning or evening, as the afternoon and evening are considered to be the resting time of the main gods and goddesses.
3. Is there a dress code for devotees to visit Bharat Mata Mandir?
No dress code is required when visiting Bharat Mata Mandir, but appropriate attire is recommended.