Visiting Kashi Vishwanath Dham during Shravan? All you need to know about schedules, restrictions and more

Shravan, the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, is considered the most sacred for the worship of Lord Shiva. The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust has announced a series of measures for the convenience and safe passage of devotees, anticipating huge crowds.

Firstly, there is a complete ban on special request (protocol) darshans from July 11 to August 9. Cautioning people against falling prey to any kind of broker scam for availing a special darshan through brokers, the Trust urged devotees not to stand in the queues on an empty stomach, as this could be a long wait and would adversely affect their health.

The main routes into the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham are gate #4 at the Nanduferiya entry route, the Silko entry route, Dhundhiraj entry route, the Saraswati Gate entry route, and a route via the Bhairav Dwar/Lalita Ghat. However, in view of the rising water levels of the Ganga, the entry of devotees from the Lalita Ghat may be temporarily restricted.

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Aartis will take place on all four Mondays of the month of Shravan. The aarti on July 14 will see Baba’s movable idol decorated, whereas the one on the following Monday involves the Gauri Shankar (Shankar Parvati) Shringar (deity dressing ritual). The third Monday of Shravan will see an aarti involving a shringar of Ardhanarishwar, while the Monday after that will have an aarti with a Rudraksh Shringar.

On August 9, however, a special aarti will be conducted, coinciding with the appearance of a full moon, which will involve a jhula (swing) shringar.

Personal items like bags, mobiles, pens and metal items will not be allowed at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham during the month of Shravan. Devotees have been requested to leave these at home, since free baggage counters at the Dham will not be operational during this period, due to the excessive crowd.

Medical teams will also be deployed in the vicinity of the Dham, with necessary medical equipment and a team of doctors to be stationed at the Arogya Medical Centre, which is run by the Trust. Also, in addition to existing security forces, private security personnel will also be deployed around the Dham.

Owing to the excessive crowd, lost and found centres will be established at six places around the entire Dham. These six spots are at temple courtyard, Shankaracharya Chowk, gate #1 (the Ganga Nix Gate), gate #2 (the Saraswati Gate), gate #4 (the main entrance) and the Lalita Ghat.

For the elderly and children, as well as those who are disabled, free rickshaws will be operated from Godowlia to Maidagin.

India