VARANASI: Devotees visiting the holy city of Kashi for Maha Shivratri this year will have the opportunity for uninterrupted darshan of Lord Shiva at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, as the temple administration has announced that the gates will remain open continuously for 26 hours. In a major decision aimed at accommodating the anticipated large crowd, the temple authorities have also suspended VIP and special ticketed darshan for the occasion.
Maha Shivratri, the most significant festival for Shiva devotees in Kashi, falls on 15 February 2026 this year. The temple administration expects more than one million devotees to visit, prompting them to ensure a smooth darshan experience for all. The doors of Kashi Vishwanath will open to the general public from 4 AM on 15 February, after Mangala Aarti, and will remain open until 6 AM on 16 February. During this period, devotees will be able to offer jalabhishek and enjoy the pictorial displays depicting Lord Shiva’s life.
Special Aartis and Provisions for Devotees
To manage the massive influx, the temple has prohibited all VIP and ticketed “Sugam Darshan” arrangements for the day. This move ensures that all devotees, both domestic and international, can participate in the festivities without facing inconvenience.
Additionally, the temple will conduct special aartis at all four “pahar” (watches) of the day, replacing the traditional Saptarishi and Shayan Aartis. Alongside these, devotees can witness elaborate tableau displays (jhankis) depicting events from Lord Shiva’s life, open for public viewing throughout the festival period.
With these arrangements, Kashi Vishwanath Temple aims to make this Maha Shivratri a memorable spiritual experience for lakhs of devotees flocking to the city of Lord Shiva.
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