Why does a Kashi Vishwanath trip involve more than one temple?
Most pilgrims don't come to Varanasi for a single darshan. Kashi Vishwanath sits at the centre of a web of shrines, and tradition ties several of them directly to the main temple — the goddess who feeds the city, the deity who guards it, and the remover of troubles. This guide covers three that most visitors add to a Kashi Vishwanath trip: Annapurna Devi, Kaal Bhairav, and Sankat Mochan Hanuman. Pair it with our Kashi Vishwanath darshan guide for the main temple itself.
Annapurna Devi — the goddess of food, next door
The Annapurna Devi Mandir stands just north-west of the main Kashi Vishwanath temple — around 15 metres away, effectively part of the same temple complex. "Annapurna" comes from anna (food) and purna (full), and she is worshipped as the goddess who nourishes all beings; devotees believe no one who seeks her blessing goes hungry. The idol holds a golden ladle and a vessel of grain. A brass idol is available for daily darshan, while the gold idol is shown to the public only once a year, around Annakut after Diwali. The temple was built in 1729 CE by the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao. Because it is essentially next door to the main sanctum, most visitors take Annapurna darshan on the same walk as Kashi Vishwanath.
Kaal Bhairav — the Kotwal of Kashi
Kaal Bhairav is a fierce form of Shiva, revered as the Kotwal (guardian, or chief of police) of Kashi. Tradition holds that Shiva himself appointed him to protect the city, and that no one truly resides in or enters Kashi without his leave — which is why many pilgrims believe you should take Kaal Bhairav's darshan before completing your Kashi Vishwanath pilgrimage. The deity is worshipped as a silver-faced image garlanded with skulls. The temple sits in the Vishweshwarganj (Bhaironath) area, roughly 1–1.5 km north of Kashi Vishwanath — about a ten-minute auto-rickshaw ride through the old city. Sundays and Tuesdays are considered especially auspicious.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman — the reliever of troubles
"Sankat Mochan" means "reliever of troubles," and this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is closely tied to the saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas, author of the Ramcharitmanas and the Hanuman Chalisa, who is said to have had a vision of Hanuman here and established the temple. It lies to the south of the city, in the Assi area near Banaras Hindu University — about 4–5 km from Kashi Vishwanath, so it is best treated as a separate short trip rather than a walk. Tuesdays and Saturdays draw the biggest crowds of devotees.
How do you fit these into a darshan trip?
A practical way to sequence them:
- On foot, same visit: Kashi Vishwanath + Annapurna Devi (next door).
- A short ride, ideally first: Kaal Bhairav, to "seek the Kotwal's permission" — about 1–1.5 km away.
- A separate half-outing: Sankat Mochan, 4–5 km south, easily combined with the ghats or a Banaras Hindu University visit.
If you are mapping a full itinerary, our 48 hours in Varanasi plan shows how the temples, ghats and food fit around an unhurried two days, and how to reach us explains the lanes around Gate No. 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which temple should I visit before Kashi Vishwanath? Many pilgrims visit Kaal Bhairav, the Kotwal (guardian) of Kashi, first — tradition says you should seek his permission before completing your Kashi Vishwanath darshan.
Where is the Annapurna Devi temple? It is about 15 metres north-west of the main Kashi Vishwanath temple, effectively part of the same complex, so most people take darshan there on the same walk.
How far is Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple from Kashi Vishwanath? Roughly 4–5 km to the south, in the Assi area near Banaras Hindu University. It is best treated as a separate short trip rather than a walk.
Why is Kaal Bhairav called the Kotwal of Kashi? Tradition holds that Shiva appointed Kaal Bhairav as the guardian, or "kotwal," of the city — its protector — and that no one resides in Kashi without his leave.
What is Sankat Mochan temple known for? It is dedicated to Hanuman as the "reliever of troubles" and is linked to the poet-saint Tulsidas, who is said to have founded it after a vision of Hanuman.
Stay at the centre of it all
Every one of these darshans is easier when your base is 60 seconds from the main temple. From Kashi King Luxury Stay, opposite Gate No. 4, you can take Kashi Vishwanath and Annapurna on foot and reach the others quickly. See our rooms and request your dates — our team confirms by phone.