Planning a Sawan darshan in Kashi? Here's how to beat the rush this monsoon

With the holy month of Sawan set to begin around the end of July, Kashi is gearing up for one of its busiest and most joyful seasons. Every Monday of Sawan — Shravan Somwar — draws huge crowds of devotees toward the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple to offer prayers to Lord Shiva, and the lanes of the old city fill with chants, bel leaves and the scent of incense. If you're planning a visit, a little forethought goes a long way. Mornings are your best friend: the temple is calmest soon after it opens, well before the midday rush builds, so an early dawn darshan after a dip in the Ganga is the gentlest way in. The Vishwanath Dham corridor, with its wide approach from the Ganga-facing Lalita Ghat, makes the walk far smoother than it once was. For those short on time, or travelling with elders and children, the temple trust's Sugam (paid) darshan helps speed up entry on busy days. Booking in advance through the official Shri Kashi Vishwanath portal — rather than on the day itself — is the surest way to avoid long waits, especially on Mondays. Sawan in Kashi is a special experience: cooler monsoon air, the river in full flow, and a whole city wrapped in devotion. Plan ahead, start early, and you'll savour it at its very best.

Compiled by HelloBanaras from public sources: Shri Kashi Vishwanath (official portal) · DD News