Kaal Bhairav Temple Darshan Timings, Entry Fee, Online Booking Travel Guide

Kaal Bhairav Temple Darshan is one of the most spiritually significant pilgrimages in Varanasi, India, where devotees from across the world come to seek the blessings of Lord Kaal Bhairav, known as the fierce guardian deity of Kashi (Varanasi). This guide gives you verified details about the temple timings, entry fee, booking options, travel tips, insider experiences, and nearby attractions to plan your perfect pilgrimage. For official information, visit official TTD portal.

Quick Facts About Kaal Bhairav Temple Darshan

Attribute	Details
Temple Name	Kaal Bhairav Temple, Varanasi
Location	Bhat Ki Gali, Golghar, Ghasi Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
Darshan Timings	05:00 AM – 01:30 PM & 03:30 PM – 09:30 PM Daily
Entry Fee	Free (No temple ticket fee)
Aarti Times	Morning: ~05:00 AM, Sandhya/Evening: ~07:00 PM
Official Info Source	Kashi Government Listing
Best Visiting Duration	30 min – 1 hr
Contact	Through local management/temple desk (Varanasi tourism)

About Kaal Bhairav Temple

The Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi is dedicated to Lord Bhairav, the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. According to tradition, Bhairav is regarded as the “Kotwal” or chief guardian of the sacred city of Varanasi, responsible for upholding spiritual law. Visiting this temple before other temples in Varanasi is considered auspicious, as Lord Bhairav is believed to sanction and protect the pilgrim’s process through the holy city.

Temple Darshan Timings And Ritual Details

The temple is open to pilgrims every day, with two main darshan windows — early morning and late afternoon to evening. The typical daily schedule is: Understanding Kaal Bhairav Temple Darshan is essential.

• Morning Darshan: 05:00 AM – 01:30 PM
• Evening Darshan: 03:30 PM – 09:30 PM
• Aarti & Rituals: Morning and evening times vary slightly by day and festival.

Arrive when the temple opens in the morning to avoid long queues and large crowd gatherings later in the day. Morning hours before 08:00 AM typically have lighter crowds and a more serene darshan experience.

Entry Fee And Temple Charges

There is no official entry fee charged for Kaal Bhairav Temple darshan itself — it is open to devotees free of cost. You may choose to offer flowers, incense, or small donations at the temple as per your devotion. If you opt for special pujas, priest services, or livestream offerings via third-party organisations, charges may apply separately.

Online Booking And Services

Unlike some major temple trusts, there is currently no official online ticketing or slot booking portal managed by the temple authorities for general darshan. Devotees can visit during the opening hours without pre-booking. This relates to Kaal Bhairav Temple Darshan.

For special services like personalised pujas, archana, or livestream rituals, the following steps can be followed (via third-party temple service providers):

1. Visit a trusted temple services booking site such as Saranam Temple Services.
2. Select your preferred puja or offering package.
3. Fill in your personal and pilgrimage details.
4. Complete the secure payment process.
5. Receive confirmation and execute the service, sometimes with live streaming or recorded prasad delivery.

Keep in mind that these services are optional and organised by private contractors, not the official temple trust. Always check reviews and authenticity before payment.

How To Reach Kaal Bhairav Temple

By Air

The nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. From the airport, you can hire a taxi, cab service, or use ride-sharing to reach the temple, which is approximately a 25-30 minute drive. Learn more about Kaal Bhairav Temple Darshan.

By Train

Varanasi Junction (BSB) is the closest major railway station. It is well connected with major Indian cities. From the station, take an auto-rickshaw, cab, or cycle-rickshaw to the temple in Visheshar Ganj / Ghasi Tola area — usually a 20-30 minute trip depending on traffic.

By Road

Regular buses and private taxis serve Varanasi from nearby cities and states. The temple is centrally located and easily accessible from all parts of the city. Local autorickshaws also drop devotees close to the main temple entrance.

Insider Tips For Your Darshan Experience

When I visited Kaal Bhairav Temple early on a winter morning, the silence and soft ringing of bells before the crowd arrived was spiritually uplifting. What surprised me most was how the temple maintained a peaceful spiritual atmosphere even when very crowded later in the day.

• Arrive Early: Morning darshan before 07:30 AM is serene and less crowded.
• Offerings: Carry flowers or incense you can purchase from street vendors outside — they are cheaper than inside the temple.
• Respect Ritual Space: During aarti or special pujas, move slightly back to let priests and active participants have room. I noticed this shows respect and makes your experience calmer.
• Crowd Patterns: Around mid-day and weekends, queues lengthen significantly; plan visiting outside peak times if possible. According to visitor reports, it can take 2–3 hours during peak day times.
• Photography: Ask permission before taking close photos of priests or rituals; rules vary on camera use inside the sanctum.

Nearby Attractions With Distances

Varanasi has numerous spiritual and cultural sites near Kaal Bhairav Temple:

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple – ~1.3 km
• Dashashwamedh Ghat – ~1.6 km
• Manikarnika Ghat – ~2.1 km
• Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple – ~3.5 km
• Assi Ghat – ~4.0 km

Best Time To Visit Kaal Bhairav Temple

Visiting timing matters both for weather comfort and crowd levels:

• October to March: Cooler weather makes walking through Varanasi’s narrow lanes comfortable.
• Early Morning Hours: 05:00 AM – 07:30 AM is the best window for peaceful darshan with fewer tourists and local devotees.
• Festivals: During Mahashivratri or Sankranti days, the atmosphere is sacred but significantly more crowded — worth it if you enjoy festive energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entry fee for Kaal Bhairav Temple?

No. There is no official temple entry fee for darshan. Donations or offerings are optional.

Can I book darshan online?

There is no official online darshan booking portal. You can walk in during open hours. Special puja bookings through third-party providers are possible.

What is the best time for darshan?

Early morning when the temple opens offers the least crowd and most peaceful experience — usually before 08:00 AM.

How long does darshan take?

A typical darshan takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on crowd levels and rituals happening during your visit.

Are special pujas available at the temple?

Yes, special pujas and rituals can be arranged via temple priests or authorised third-party services, often for a fee. Confirm details locally upon arrival.