Kashi Temples
Tour
Kashi is more than one temple. A private Temple Escort takes you through six of the city's most significant shrines, Kashi Karvat, Vishalakshi, Virahi Devi, Kal Bhairav, Bada Ganesh and Mrityunjay Mahadev, in one unhurried half-day, walking them in the order they actually sit on the map.
A Half-Day With Your Own Temple Escort
This isn't a storytelling walk, it's a private darshan tour. Your Temple Escort's job is simple: pick you up from your hotel, take you to six of Kashi's most significant temples, help you navigate each sanctum, and bring you back, all within a half-day. No crowds to figure out, no wrong queues, no missed shrines.
Ideal for pilgrims and travelers who've already seen Kashi Vishwanath and want to pay respects at the other major shrines of the city too, at their own pace.
Temples You'll Visit
Six major shrines central to Kashi's spiritual life, listed here in the order you'll actually walk them, starting at the Vishwanath temple cluster and moving outward across the old city.
A few steps from the Vishwanath temple gates, one of the old city's oldest shrines, referenced in the Puranas. Its sunken sanctum is believed to sit at Kashi's original ground level, a marker of how old this city really is.
One of the 51 Shakti Peeths, believed to mark where the earrings of Goddess Sati fell. Vishalakshi, "the large-eyed one," is worshipped here as a form of Parvati, a short walk from Vishwanath.
A Shakti Peeth just along the same ghat stretch as Vishalakshi, where Varahi Devi, in her boar-headed form, is believed to guard Kashi through the night, complementing Kal Bhairav's watch by day. Opens ~5:30-7:30 AM only
On to Vishweshwarganj to seek the blessing of Kashi's guardian deity, revered as the "Kotwal of Kashi." Tradition holds that no one may settle in Kashi without his blessing.
A separate temple in the old city's northern quarter, not far from Kal Bhairav. Home to a self-manifested, three-eyed Ganesha idol nearly 5.5 feet tall, worshipped alongside his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi, inside a hall said to stand on 40 pillars.
The farthest stop of the day, in Daranagar toward Panchganga Ghat. Shiva worshipped here as "the conqueror of death," with a sacred well believed to hold healing water blessed by Dhanvantari.
Want to Add More Temples?
These five sit in the Durga Kund / BHU area, a separate part of the city from the old-city walk above, so they're covered as an optional add-on rather than part of the core route. Pick any you'd like and we'll quote you a custom price based on your selection and group size.
Founded by the poet-saint Tulsidas, who is said to have had a vision of Hanuman here while writing the Ramcharitmanas. One of the most visited temples in the city, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Known locally as the "Monkey Temple," an 18th-century shrine built by a Bengali queen beside the Durga Kund tank. The Durga idol here is believed to have manifested on its own rather than been carved.
Worshipped as the elder sister of Vishwanath himself, this modest shrine holds particular importance for South Indian pilgrims completing their Kashi yatra.
A marble replica of Kashi Vishwanath built by the Birla family on the BHU campus, with a 77-metre shikhara. Open to visitors of every faith, with scripture engraved along its marble walls.
A newer, striking temple centred on Lord Rama, close to Durga Mata Mandir, known for its 11-peaked design and over 150 shivlings and deity idols inside.
Each add-on temple is +₹500, added straight to your total when you tick it in the booking form below. Vehicle for this leg isn't included, but we can arrange one separately on request.
A Typical Half-Day Route
- 1Hotel Pickup
Your Temple Escort meets you at your hotel at the agreed time and walks you through the plan for the half-day before setting off into the old city.
- 2Kashi Karvat
First stop of the day, into the lanes near Vishwanath Gali, to one of Kashi's oldest shrines.
- 3Vishalakshi Temple, Mir Ghat
A short walk to this Shakti Peeth, close to the river.
- 4Virahi Devi Temple, Manmandir Ghat
Just along the same ghat stretch as Vishalakshi. On early-morning bookings, your escort may cover this stop first instead, since the sanctum opens for darshan only around dawn.
- 5Kal Bhairav Temple, Vishweshwarganj
On to Vishweshwarganj to seek the blessing of Kashi's guardian deity, the "Kotwal of Kashi."
- 6Bada Ganesh, Maidagin
A separate temple in the same part of the old city, home to a self-manifested, three-eyed Ganesha idol nearly 5.5 feet tall.
- 7Mrityunjay Mahadev, Daranagar
The farthest and final temple of the day, with its healing well and its blessing of protection from untimely death.
- 8Drop Back to Your Hotel
Your escort walks you back or arranges local transport to return you to your hotel, closing out the half-day.
This is the walking order based on how close each temple sits to the next. Your escort may adjust it slightly for crowd levels or Virahi Devi's early-morning darshan window.
We Meet You at Your Hotel
No need to find your way to a boarding point. Your Temple Escort comes to you.
Share your hotel name and preferred start time when booking. Your Temple Escort will confirm the exact pickup time, factoring in temple crowd levels and, where relevant, Virahi Devi's early-morning darshan window.
Temple Escort Tour Cost
₹1,999 covers the first person. Every additional guest in the same group adds just ₹500, so the more you travel together, the less it costs per person.
| Group Size | Total Price | Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | ₹1,999 | ₹1,999 |
| 2 people Popular | ₹2,499 | ₹1,250 |
| 3 people | ₹2,999 | ₹1,000 |
| 4 people | ₹3,499 | ₹875 |
| 5 people | ₹3,999 | ₹800 |
| 6 people | ₹4,499 | ₹750 |
Larger group? Message us on WhatsApp with your headcount, the formula stays the same: ₹1,999 + ₹500 per additional person. Adding any of the 5 optional temples further down the page adds ₹500 per temple to this total. Vehicle isn't included, it's arranged separately if needed.
Reserve Your Temple Escort
Set your group size below to see your total, then pay online via Razorpay to book instantly, or confirm on WhatsApp.
Vehicle not included - these temples need a short drive from the old city. Let us know and we'll arrange one separately.
What's Included
Cancellation Policy
Kashi Temples Tour - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Temple Escort, and how is this different from your Storyteller tours?
A Temple Escort accompanies you privately to a fixed set of temples, purely for darshan, helping you navigate each sanctum and its timings. It's a focused, faster-paced visit built around covering all six temples comfortably. Our Storyteller tours, by contrast, are narrative-led walks focused on history and mythology along the ghats.
Which temples are covered on this tour?
Kashi Karvat, Vishalakshi Temple, Virahi Devi Temple, Kal Bhairav Temple, Bada Ganesh, and Mrityunjay Mahadev, six major temples across the old city, walked in that order, all within a half-day.
How much does the Temple Escort tour cost?
₹1,999 for the first person, plus ₹500 for each additional person in the same group. For example, a group of 4 pays ₹3,499 total. There's no separate per-temple charge.
How long does the half-day temple tour last?
Roughly 3 to 4 hours, depending on crowd levels at each temple and how much time you'd like to spend at each stop. Your escort will give you a realistic time estimate at pickup.
Can I visit all six temples at any time of day?
Most of the six temples keep standard daytime darshan hours, but Virahi Devi Temple opens only for a couple of hours around dawn (approximately 5:30 to 7:30 AM). Booking an early morning slot gives you the best chance of covering all six with full darshan; afternoon slots may only allow a view from outside Virahi Devi.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Your Temple Escort meets you at your hotel and drops you back at the end of the tour, at no extra charge within Varanasi city limits.
Is a vehicle included?
No. The 6 core temples are all within walking distance of each other in the old city, so no vehicle is needed for that part. If you'd like a car or auto-rickshaw for the day, or to reach the optional add-on temples in the Durga Kund / BHU area, this can be booked separately, just mention it when you book.
How do I book?
Use the booking form above to set your group size and see your total, then pay online via Razorpay or confirm via WhatsApp at +91-8595256696. You can also email us at hello@varanasiguru.com.
Can I add more temples to the tour?
Yes. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Durga Mata Mandir, Kaudi Mata Temple, New Vishwanath Temple (BHU), and Mani Mandir can each be added for ₹500 per temple, added straight to your total. They sit in the Durga Kund / BHU area, a separate part of the city from the core old-city walk. Tick the ones you want on the booking form and your total updates automatically. Note that vehicle for this leg isn't included, it can be arranged separately.
What should I wear or bring?
Modest, comfortable clothing that covers shoulders and knees is appreciated at all temples. Wear comfortable walking shoes, since the route covers old-city lanes, and carry a bottle of water. Phones are generally fine; check with your escort before photographing inside any sanctum.
Is this tour suitable for families, seniors, or solo travelers?
Yes. The pace is set around your group, and your escort can slow down for seniors or families with children. Solo travelers, especially women, often prefer this format over navigating the old city's lanes alone.
What is the cancellation policy?
- 3+ days in advance - Full refund
- 1 to 3 days before - 50% cancellation fee
- Within 24 hours - No refund
If the tour is cancelled by us due to weather, temple closures, or safety concerns, you'll receive a full refund.
Don't Listen to Us, Listen to Them
We reached out to Varanasi Guru and connected with Saurabh for help planning our short trip. His recommendations were spot-on, and the guided temple visits were perfectly timed and smoothly executed. Truly a hassle-free way to explore this soulful city.
One of the best experiences in Varanasi. The walk felt personal, not touristy, full of hidden temples and real insights into the city's culture. Felt less like a tour and more like discovering Varanasi with a local friend.
Varanasi Guru's suggestions were very useful for our temple visits and darshan timings. We planned our whole Varanasi visit through them and it was a seamless experience.
Very helpful, not only in coordinating our plans but also in giving tips about many temples and activities in and around Varanasi. Strongly recommend this company.