Kashi Vishwanath Temple 3D VR Darshan 2026 : Prices,Timings

3D VR Darshan is an innovative spiritual technology that allows devotees to have an immersive virtual experience of a temple’s sanctum. Using special VR headsets, you are transported inside the holy garbhagriha (inner sanctum) of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in a way that feels incredibly real. This technology solves a common problem for pilgrims: long, crowded queues and brief, rushed glimpses of the deity. Instead, you can enjoy a calm, private, and detailed viewing of Lord Shiva’s Jyotirlinga. The service is provided through the “Durlabh Darshan” initiative, which aims to make rare and profound spiritual sights accessible to everyone. It is designed not to replace a physical visit but to enhance devotion and provide access to those who cannot travel, face physical challenges, or wish to prepare for an upcoming pilgrimage.

The experience is more than just a video. It is a 360-degree, three-dimensional virtual tour that gives you the sensation of standing right before the sacred Shiva Lingam. You can look around the sanctum, observe intricate details of the temple architecture, and witness rituals from the closest possible vantage point. This technology has been successfully implemented in other major pilgrimage sites like Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar and the Mata Vaishno Devi temple before being brought to Kashi. For many, it evokes a powerful emotional and spiritual response, making them feel truly present in the holiest of spaces.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple Sugam Darshan 2026 : Book,Timings,Process & Entry

Key Aspects of 3D VR Darshan:

• Immersive Technology: 3D 360-degree view for a “real-feel” experience.
• Solves Physical Barriers: Ideal for elderly devotees, those with disabilities, or people with time constraints.
• A Unique Offering: Provides a darshan experience that is often difficult to get in the crowded physical temple.
• Spiritual Focus: Aids in deep meditation and connection without external distractions.

The Unique VR Experience at Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The VR Darshan at Kashi Vishwanath offers a specific and unique journey that is different from simply watching a live stream online. The core offering is an 11-minute and 50-second immersive film that takes you on a guided virtual tour. The highlight is experiencing the five sacred Aartis (prayer rituals) of the temple, all compiled into one seamless, divine presentation. These Aartis are performed at different times of the day, and witnessing all of them in person would require being at the temple for over 24 hours. The VR experience condenses this divine schedule, allowing you to absorb the spiritual vibrations of each ritual in a single, focused session.

The experience makes you feel as if you are receiving a “Durlabh Darshan”—a rare and precious sight—directly from the sanctum. Devotees who have tried it report feeling an overwhelming sense of peace and presence. Chhavi Gupta, a devotee from Gwalior, said, “It was such a good and realistic experience. I felt like I was sitting inside the temple…I got to see all the aartis.”. The technology captures the ambiance, sounds, and visual splendor of the actual rituals, from the ringing of bells to the chanting of hymns, creating a holistic spiritual encounter.

What Makes the Kashi VR Experience Special:

• Focused Duration: An 11-12 minute experience that is long enough to be immersive but concise enough for easy access.
• The Five Aartis: Witness Mangla Aarti, Bhog Aarti, Saptarishi Aarti, Sandhya Aarti, and Shringar Aarti.
• Rare Perspective: Offers views and angles of the Jyotirlinga that are typically reserved for temple priests.
• Emotional Impact: Designed to evoke a deep feeling of devotion and connection, as if you are physically there.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Your VR Darshan Online

Booking your 3D VR Darshan experience is a straightforward process designed for convenience. As of 2026, the primary and most reliable platform for booking is the official booking portal of Durlabh Darshan, which is the authorized technology partner for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. You can also access the booking link through the official Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple website. It is highly recommended to book in advance to secure your preferred time slot, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons and festivals.

The booking process involves just a few simple steps. First, visit the official booking website. On the page, you will see the product listed as “3D VR Darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi.” Click on the “Book VR Darshan” button. You will then be prompted to select your preferred date and available time slot for the experience. After selecting, you proceed to a secure payment gateway. The experience is very affordably priced, often with promotional discounts. Once payment is confirmed, you will receive an e-ticket or booking confirmation via email and SMS. It is advisable to carry a digital or printed copy of this confirmation when you visit the Durlabh Darshan Center.

Online Booking Checklist:

• Device: Use a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access.
• Information Needed: Have your personal details and a valid email ID and phone number ready.
• Payment Method: Have a credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI ID ready for online payment.
• Confirmation: Save or print your booking confirmation with the QR code/booking ID.

Understanding the Pricing and Available Discounts

The 3D VR Darshan experience is priced to be accessible to a wide range of devotees. The standard listed price for the experience is Rs. 300. However, it is common to find it offered at a discounted sale price of Rs. 150, providing a 50% reduction. This promotional pricing makes the advanced spiritual experience highly affordable. The Durlabh Darshan centers occasionally run special offers or combo packages, so it is worth checking their official website for any current promotions.

When comparing this cost to other spiritual services at the temple, it offers excellent value. For instance, the temple’s “Sugam Darshan” (a queue-less physical darshan with priest assistance) is also priced at Rs. 300. The VR experience provides a completely different kind of value—unhurried time, detailed visuals, and a composite of all Aartis—which is not possible even in a physical Sugam Darshan. There is no additional cost or hidden fee once you have booked your slot. The payment is a one-time charge for the immersive VR session.

Price Comparison of Kashi Vishwanath Experiences (2026)

Finding the Durlabh Darshan Center in Varanasi

The Durlabh Darshan Center at Kashi Vishwanath Temple is conveniently located within the temple corridor complex, making it very easy for pilgrims to find. The exact location is in Rameshwaram Bhavan, Shree Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, near the statue of Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar. Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar was the Maratha queen who rebuilt the present temple in 1780, so her statue is a prominent and well-known landmark within the corridor.

The temple corridors (Mandir Corridor) themselves are a recent and magnificent development that has transformed the area around the temple, providing clean, spacious, and secure walkways for devotees. Once you enter the main temple corridor area, you can ask any security personnel or guide for directions to the “Durlabh Darshan Kendra” or the Rameshwaram Bhavan. The center is situated among other visitor facilities. Its strategic location means you can easily combine your VR Darshan with a physical visit to the main temple, attend Ganga Aarti at the ghats, or explore other sites in the spiritual capital.

How to Reach the VR Center:

• Landmark: Look for the statue of Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar in the temple corridor.
• Building: The experience is housed in Rameshwaram Bhavan.
• Accessibility: The corridors are wheelchair-accessible, making it easier for all devotees to reach the center.
• Local Transport: You can take an auto-rickshaw or taxi to the “Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor” entry point. From there, it’s a short walk.

What to Expect During Your 11-Minute VR Session

When you arrive at the Durlabh Darshan Center for your scheduled time slot, the staff will guide you through a simple process. You will first present your booking confirmation for verification. The staff will then provide you with a sanitized VR headset and give you brief instructions on how to use it. You will be seated in a comfortable chair in a dedicated viewing area. Once the session begins, you simply need to wear the headset and relax.

For the next 11 minutes and 50 seconds, you will be completely immersed in the virtual world of the Kashi Vishwanath sanctum. The experience typically starts with a gentle introduction before placing you right in front of the shimmering gold-covered shrine. You will witness the sequence of the five daily Aartis. The high-quality 3D audio will surround you with the sacred chants, bells, and hymns. The visuals are stable and clear, designed to prevent any discomfort. You can look around—up at the ornate ceiling, down at the offerings, and directly at the sacred Jyotirlinga—as if you were turning your head in the real temple. The session concludes peacefully, and you can take a moment to absorb the experience before returning the headset.

A Timeline of the VR Session:

• Minute 0-1: Introduction and entry into the virtual temple space.
• Minute 1-3: Mangla Aarti – The first morning ritual.
• Minute 3-5: Bhog Aarti – The midday offering.
• Minute 5-7: Saptarishi Aarti – The evening ritual with seven priests.
• Minute 7-9: Sandhya Aarti – The dusk prayer.
• Minute 9-11: Shringar Aarti – The final, ornate night ritual.
• Minute 11-12: Conclusion and a final divine view of the sanctum.

Why Choose VR Darshan? Benefits for Different Devotees

Choosing VR Darshan offers a multitude of benefits for various types of devotees, addressing practical challenges while deepening spiritual engagement. For elderly pilgrims or people with disabilities (Divyang), navigating the massive crowds and long waiting lines at Kashi Vishwanath can be physically exhausting or even impossible. The VR experience provides a stress-free, accessible alternative that ensures they do not miss out on a profound darshan. For devotees with limited time, such as tourists on a tight schedule or business travelers, it offers the essence of the temple’s rituals in under 12 minutes, which is a significant time saving compared to a physical visit that can take hours.

For devotees living abroad or in distant parts of India, the VR Darshan bridges the physical distance, offering a powerful sense of connection to their faith until they can make the actual pilgrimage. It also serves as an excellent pre-pilgrimage guide, helping first-time visitors familiarize themselves with the temple layout and rituals, reducing anxiety and increasing reverence for the in-person visit. Furthermore, for any devotee seeking a deep, meditative, and uninterrupted connection, the VR session offers a rare silence and focus that is hard to find in the constantly moving queues of the physical temple.

Who Should Consider VR Darshan:

• Senior Citizens & Differently-Abled: Avoids physical strain of crowds and queues.
• Time-Constrained Visitors: Perfect for a complete spiritual experience in under 12 minutes.
• International Devotees: A tangible connection to the temple from anywhere in the world.
• Families with Young Children: A calm, controlled environment for children to experience the temple.
• Spiritual Seekers: Ideal for focused meditation on the deity’s form without distraction.

Comparing VR Darshan with Live Darshan and Sugam Darshan

It is important to understand how VR Darshan differs from other services offered by the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust to choose what’s right for you. The temple provides a free Live Darshan service on its website, which is a 2D video stream from the sanctum. This is wonderful for daily devotion but lacks the immersive, “being there” feeling of the 3D VR experience. The VR puts you inside the temple, while the live stream shows you a view of the temple.

The Sugam Darshan is a paid, queue-less physical darshan where a temple priest (Shastri) escorts you through a dedicated entrance for a quicker visit to the sanctum. While this is a real physical darshan, it is still very brief due to the constant flow of devotees. You might get only a few seconds in front of the deity. In contrast, the VR Darshan gives you a sustained, detailed, and private viewing for a full 12 minutes. However, VR Darshan is a virtual representation, while Sugam provides the physical darshan, sparsh (touch), and prasad. They serve different purposes and can be complementary.

VR Darshan vs. Other Temple Services

Planning Your Visit: Timings, Duration, and Best Time to Go

The Durlabh Darshan Center at Kashi Vishwanath Temple operates during the temple’s general visiting hours. While specific timings for the VR experience can vary, centers typically run sessions from morning until evening. It is advisable to check the available time slots at the time of booking on the official website, as you must select a specific slot for your session. Each VR experience has a fixed duration of 10 to 12 minutes.

Planning the best time to go depends on your preferences. Weekdays (Monday to Friday) are generally less crowded than weekends. The morning slots are often quieter and can be a serene start to your day in Varanasi. It is wise to avoid major Hindu festivals like Maha Shivratri, Shravan Mondays, or Diwali for the VR experience if you want to combine it with a physical temple visit, as the entire corridor area will be exceptionally packed. However, if your goal is solely the VR Darshan, your booked slot guarantees your experience regardless of the crowd outside. After your VR session, you can explore the magnificent temple corridors, visit the Gyanvapi well, or proceed to the Dashashwamedh Ghat for the famous Ganga Aarti.

Visit Planning Tips:

• Book Slot in Advance: Secure your preferred time, especially for afternoons or weekends.
• Arrive Early: Reach the Durlabh Darshan Center 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
• Combine with Temple Visit: If planning physical darshan, do the VR experience first to build spiritual focus.
• Check Temple Calendar: Be aware of special festival dates when the overall area is most congested.

Rules, Etiquette, and Tips for Your VR Darshan

While the VR Darshan is a modern experience, observing basic rules and spiritual etiquette enhances the sanctity of your session. First and foremost, treat the VR headset and the viewing area with respect, as they are tools for a divine experience. The staff will provide instructions; please follow them for your safety and the safety of the equipment. Silence your mobile phone before the session begins to maintain a distraction-free environment for yourself and others in the center.

In terms of personal conduct, it is recommended to approach the experience with the same reverence as a physical temple visit. While there is no strict dress code for the VR center, dressing modestly is a sign of respect. You might want to sit in a comfortable but attentive posture during the session. It is perfectly acceptable to close your eyes and pray or chant softly during the Aarti sequences if you feel moved to do so. After the session, take a moment to sit quietly and absorb the feelings before getting up. If you have questions, the staff at the center are usually happy to help.

Essential Do’s and Don’ts:

• DO: Carry your booking confirmation (digital or print).
• DO: Inform the staff if you have any concerns about using VR (e.g., severe motion sensitivity).
• DO: Keep your belongings secure; use the lockers available in the temple corridor if needed.
• DON’T: Touch or adjust the VR headset lenses with your fingers.
• DON’T: Eat or drink inside the viewing area.
• DON’T: Record the VR screen or session with your personal phone or camera.

Reviews and Experiences from Other Devotees

The 3D VR Darshan has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from devotees since its introduction. On the booking portal, it is highlighted as the “#1 Ranked Experience in Varanasi on Tripadvisor,” indicating high satisfaction from visitors. Chandan Rupani, a devotee, shared, “It is a divine and wonderful experience…within a small time you get to know the history of Kashi Vishwanath.”. This sentiment echoes the common theme that the experience is not only spiritually uplifting but also informative.

On the main Durlabh Darshan website, numerous testimonials praise the realism and emotional impact. One user, Ankit Singh, commented, “My VR view was great and excellent. The live VR temple darshan experience was amazing.” Another, Sunshine60014356486, wrote, “It felt as if we could touch and feel the divine presence. Overall, It was one of the best VR experiences I ever had.”. These reviews confirm that the technology successfully creates a powerful sense of presence (the feeling of “being there”), which is the ultimate goal of the service. The temple administration itself tested the experience with over 360 employees and priests before public launch, receiving positive feedback that led to its full implementation.

Common Praises in Reviews:

• Unbelievable Realism: “Felt like I was actually inside the temple.”
• Emotional Depth: Evoked feelings of peace, joy, and divine connection.
• Convenience: Appreciation for experiencing all Aartis without a 24-hour wait.
• Clarity: The visual and audio quality was praised for being clear and immersive.
• Unique Offering: Recognized as a innovative and valuable addition to pilgrimage.

Beyond VR: Other Online Services by Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust has embraced technology to serve global devotees through various online services beyond VR Darshan. The most popular is the free Live Darshan, a 24/7 live stream from the sanctum that allows anyone worldwide to have a direct visual connection with Baba Vishwanath at any time. For those wishing to perform personalized rituals, the temple offers online Puja booking. You can book and pay for rituals like Rudrabhishek (a sacred bath of the Shiva Lingam) which can even be performed via live video conference with the temple priest, allowing you to participate in real-time from your home.

The temple also has a seamless Online Donation system. Devotees can contribute to the temple’s maintenance, charitable activities, and services. Donations made by Indian citizens are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Furthermore, the trust manages guest house bookings online, such as the Southern Grand Guest House and Ganga Darshan Guest House, providing clean and convenient accommodation in the temple vicinity. These digital initiatives, led by the “Ask Nandi!” AI help feature on the website, demonstrate the temple’s commitment to serving the modern devotee.

List of Key Online Services:

• Live Darshan: Free 24/7 video feed from the sanctum.
• Online Puja Booking: Book rituals like Rudrabhishek, Mangla Aarti, etc..
• Video Conference Puja: Participate in rituals live via video call.
• Online Donation: Secure portal for offerings with 80G tax receipts.
• Guest House Booking: Book temple-managed accommodations.
• Hall Booking: Book the Triyambakeshwar hall for events.