Beware of scammers on the ghats. Touts and self-styled “guides” or “priests” roam the Ganga ghats and temple lanes, offering VIP darshan, pujas, boat rides or “donations for cremation wood”. Never pay anyone in advance, and never pay for a service before you have actually received it. Book temple services only through the official trust.
We do not sell Sugam darshan tickets. The fee shown is the figure published by the temple trust and widely reported in October 2026 (some older guides say ₹300). Always check the current fee on the official site.
What you get
A shorter, separate queue
Sugam devotees enter through their own line and are escorted (by a temple shastri) to the sanctum.
A free locker
Leave your phone, bag and shoes safely — no separate locker queue.
Prasad
Mewa laddu prasad from the temple, included with the ticket.
A fixed time slot
Plan the rest of your day around a known darshan time.
How to book
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01
Online or in the app
Go to shrikashivishwanath.org or the trust’s official Android/iOS app and choose Sugam Darshan.
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02
Pick a date and slot
Weekends, Mondays and festival dates fill first. A single login can book up to about 10 tickets.
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03
Enter devotee details
Name, age and ID for each person, exactly as on the ID you will carry. Children under 12 do not need a ticket.
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04
Pay online
Indian cards, UPI and net banking work. If an international card fails, ask your hotel or us to help — never a stranger.
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05
Carry ID and the booking
A printout or written booking number — your phone goes in the locker.
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06
Same day?
Same-day Sugam tickets are sold only at the help desk counter, subject to availability.
Rules to know
- No refunds and no rescheduling once booked — choose your date carefully.
- Not available during aartis or on some special days (Mahashivratri, Shravan Mondays and other heavy-rush days may be restricted).
- Sparsh (touch) darshan follows the temple’s rules for the day; it is often suspended during Shravan.
- Differently abled devotees are reported not to pay for darshan — ask at the help desk.
- Foreign nationals use the separate foreigner ticket — see how it works.
Is it worth it?
Book Sugam if…
- You are travelling with elderly parents or children
- You are visiting on a Monday or weekend
- You have only one day in Varanasi
- You want a predictable time to plan around
General darshan is fine if…
- You can go at 4–6 AM on a weekday
- You enjoy the atmosphere of the queue
- You are staying several days
- Not ideal on Mondays, Shravan or festivals
Heads up. Touts near the gates and on social media sell “VIP”, “direct entry” or “protocol” passes. These are not official. Sugam darshan is sold only by the temple trust.
FAQ