10 Most Important Temples in Varanasi: Complete Guide

There are places where temples are simply part of the landscape. And then there is Varanasi, where temples are part of the city’s very identity.

But among the countless temples of Kashi, a few hold a particularly important place in the city’s religious, cultural and historical landscape. If you are visiting Varanasi for the first time, it can be difficult to decide which temples to include in your itinerary.

So here is a detailed guide to 10 of the most important temples in Varanasi that deserve your attention during a trip to Kashi.

10. Bharat Mata Temple

A temple unlike almost any other in India. The Bharat Mata Temple is perhaps the most unusual temple on this list. Instead of being centred around a traditional deity, the temple is dedicated symbolically to Mother India.

The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 and contains a remarkable relief map of India carved from marble. The District Varanasi administration identifies the temple as a creation associated with nationalist figures Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Durga Prasad Khatri.

The marble map represents the geographical landscape of India and makes the temple particularly different from conventional Hindu temples.

It is an interesting place to visit if you want your Varanasi itinerary to include not only religion but also India’s modern national history.

Why visit Bharat Mata Temple?

• Unique concept
• Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi
• Contains a marble relief map of India
• Connection with India’s nationalist history
• Different from traditional deity-based temples

Best for: History lovers, families and travellers interested in India’s national heritage.

9. Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple

A sacred Shiva temple associated with healing traditions. Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple is another important Shiva temple in Varanasi. Located on the route between Daranagar and Kaal Bhairav Temple, the shrine is associated with Lord Shiva in the form of Mrityunjay Mahadev.

The District Varanasi administration also notes the presence of a religiously significant well beside the temple, whose water is traditionally believed to have special properties.

The temple is particularly meaningful for devotees who worship Shiva in connection with protection from suffering and the overcoming of fear associated with death.

Why visit Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple?

• Dedicated to Lord Shiva
• Important local Shiva shrine
• Connected with traditional healing beliefs
• Sacred well beside the temple
• Can be combined with a visit to Kaal Bhairav Temple

Best for: Shiva devotees and pilgrims interested in lesser-known temples of Kashi.

8. Sankatha Devi Temple

A temple dedicated to the goddess associated with relief from troubles. Hidden within the historic fabric of the old city, Sankatha Devi Temple is another important religious destination in Varanasi.

The temple is located near the Scindia Ghat area and is dedicated to Sankatha Devi, traditionally associated with protection and relief from difficulties.

The District Varanasi administration describes Sankatha Temple as an important temple of the goddess and notes the presence of a large lion statue within the premises as well as temples associated with the nine planets nearby.

This is the kind of temple that shows why exploring the lanes of Kashi can be so rewarding. It may not have the international fame of Kashi Vishwanath, but it forms part of the living religious traditions of the city.

Why visit Sankatha Devi Temple?

• Dedicated to Sankatha Devi
• Located near Scindia Ghat
• Important local pilgrimage site
• Associated with the nine planetary temples nearby
• Interesting stop while exploring the old city

Best for: Pilgrims and travellers exploring the traditional temples of old Kashi.

7. New Vishwanath Temple, BHU

A modern temple with a universal message. Located inside the campus of Banaras Hindu University, the New Vishwanath Temple offers a very different experience from the crowded lanes of old Kashi.

The temple was planned with the vision associated with Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and built with the support of the Birla family. The District Varanasi administration describes it as a modern place of worship open to people irrespective of caste or creed.

Its architecture is spacious and peaceful, making it a pleasant place to visit after exploring the busy old city. The temple is popularly associated with the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple and contains shrines dedicated to several deities.

Why visit New Vishwanath Temple?

• Located inside BHU
• Peaceful campus surroundings
• Modern interpretation of a Vishwanath temple
• Open to people of different backgrounds
• Interesting architecture

Best for: Families, students, architecture lovers and visitors exploring BHU.

6. Tulsi Manas Temple

A temple connected with the Ramcharitmanas. For anyone interested in Indian literature, Lord Rama or the legacy of Tulsidas, Tulsi Manas Temple is one of the most interesting temples in Varanasi.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is traditionally associated with the place where Tulsidas lived and composed the Ramcharitmanas. The District Varanasi administration notes that verses from the epic are inscribed on the temple walls.

Unlike some of the ancient stone temples of the old city, Tulsi Manas is a relatively modern temple. Its white marble structure and clean surroundings give it a different character.

Inside, the written verses and scenes connected with the Ramayana make the temple particularly interesting for visitors who want to connect religious travel with India’s literary heritage.

Why visit Tulsi Manas Temple?

• Dedicated to Lord Rama
• Connected with Tulsidas
• Associated with the Ramcharitmanas
• Verses from the epic are displayed on its walls
• Located close to Durga Temple and Sankat Mochan Temple

Best for: Literature lovers, devotees of Lord Rama and cultural travellers.

5. Annapurna Devi Temple

The goddess of nourishment. Just a short distance from Kashi Vishwanath Temple is another important shrine dedicated to Goddess Annapurna. Annapurna is traditionally regarded as the goddess of food and nourishment.

The temple is closely connected with the Kashi Vishwanath pilgrimage circuit and is one of the important goddess temples in the old city. The District Varanasi administration lists Maa Annapurna Temple among the city’s temples of importance.

For devotees, the symbolism of Annapurna is particularly meaningful. Food is not simply seen as nourishment for the body but as a blessing and a form of divine generosity.

Why visit Annapurna Devi Temple?

• Dedicated to Goddess Annapurna
• Located near Kashi Vishwanath Temple
• Important Shakti and goddess shrine
• Closely connected with the spiritual traditions of Kashi
• Easy to include in a Kashi Vishwanath visit

Best for: Pilgrims and devotees interested in Goddess Annapurna.

4. Durga Temple

The famous red temple beside Durga Kund. The Durga Temple, also known as Durga Kund Temple, is one of the most recognisable temples in Varanasi. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is known for its distinctive red-coloured architecture.

The temple was built in the 18th century and is an important example of the North Indian Nagara architectural tradition. A pond known as Durga Kund lies next to the temple.

The temple is particularly lively during festivals associated with Goddess Durga and Navratri. Its location also makes it convenient to combine with nearby attractions such as Tulsi Manas Temple and Sankat Mochan Temple.

Why visit Durga Temple?

• Dedicated to Goddess Durga
• Distinctive red architecture
• Historic 18th-century temple
• Located beside Durga Kund
• Important during Navratri

Best for: Devotees, architecture lovers and visitors exploring southern Varanasi.

3. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The temple of Lord Hanuman and the remover of troubles. Located near the Assi area, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is one of the most revered temples in Varanasi. The name Sankat Mochan means the one who relieves people from troubles.

The temple is traditionally associated with Goswami Tulsidas, the saint-poet associated with the Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa. According to tradition, Tulsidas had a divine vision of Lord Hanuman at this location and established the temple here.

Devotees especially visit on Tuesdays and Saturdays to offer prayers to Hanuman and seek protection and relief from difficulties.

But the temple is not only a religious centre. It also has an important connection with Indian classical music through the annual Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, which brings renowned musicians and performers to Varanasi.

Why visit Sankat Mochan Temple?

• Dedicated to Lord Hanuman
• Associated with Tulsidas
• Important pilgrimage destination
• Peaceful spiritual atmosphere
• Famous for Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh

Best for: Devotees of Hanuman, spiritual travellers and music lovers.

2. Kaal Bhairav Temple

The guardian and Kotwal of Kashi. Kashi Vishwanath may be the spiritual heart of Varanasi, but according to traditional belief, Kaal Bhairav is the guardian of the city.

Dedicated to Kaal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva, this ancient temple is traditionally known as the Kotwal of Kashi. Devotees believe that Kaal Bhairav protects the city and that his blessings are important for anyone undertaking a spiritual journey in Kashi.

The atmosphere here is noticeably different from many other temples. The chants, bells and intense devotional energy create a powerful experience. The temple is also associated with distinctive devotional traditions and offerings that are specific to Kaal Bhairav worship.

Why visit Kaal Bhairav Temple?

• Dedicated to Kaal Bhairav
• Traditionally regarded as the Kotwal of Kashi
• One of the city’s ancient and revered shrines
• Strong connection with Shaivite traditions
• Important stop for pilgrims visiting Varanasi

Best for: Spiritual travellers and devotees of Lord Shiva.

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The spiritual heart of Varanasi. If there is one temple that should be at the top of almost every Varanasi pilgrimage itinerary, it is Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is regarded as one of the most sacred Shiva temples in India. The presiding deity is known as Vishwanath or Vishveshvara, meaning the Lord of the Universe.

The temple has a long and complex history, having been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The present structure was built in the 18th century under the patronage of Ahilyabai Holkar.

Today, the temple is closely connected with the Ganga and the historic heart of Kashi through the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. For many pilgrims, visiting Varanasi without seeking darshan at Kashi Vishwanath feels incomplete.

Why visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple?

• One of the twelve Jyotirlingas
• One of the most sacred Shiva temples in India
• Located in the heart of old Kashi
• Close to the Ganga ghats
• Connected to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
• One of the most important pilgrimage sites in Varanasi

Best for: First-time visitors, pilgrims and devotees of Lord Shiva.

Why Are the Temples So Important to Varanasi?

The temples of Varanasi are not simply monuments. They are part of the city’s living spiritual culture.

For centuries, people have travelled to Kashi to worship, perform rituals, seek blessings and connect with traditions that have been passed from one generation to another. But what makes Varanasi particularly fascinating is the diversity within its temple landscape.

• One temple is dedicated to Shiva.
• Another to Hanuman.
• Another to Durga.
• Another to Annapurna.

And then there is Bharat Mata Temple, where the focus shifts from a traditional deity to the idea of India itself. Together, these temples tell a much larger story about Kashi. They show how religion, literature, architecture, history and everyday life have become deeply intertwined in the city.