As per Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, the Chief Executive Officer of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, the decision was made on December 24, taking into account the significant influx of devotees. “It will not be feasible to offer any special facilities, implement protocols, or allow special access for darshan,” Mishra stated, adding that the situation will be reassessed once the crowds diminish.
The temple anticipates a substantial number of pilgrims
during the New Year festivities, predicting that lakhs of visitors will arrive each day.
#WATCH | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Announcing the suspension of VIP darshan at the temple due to the New Year rush, CEO of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Vishwa Bhushan Mishra states, “…On December 24, 2025, the temple trust decided that it would not be possible to provide any special… pic.twitter.com/oXTjJD8Z78
— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2025
“Consequently, it has been determined to postpone this for the time being, and once the crowds decrease and the number of devotees returns to normal, we will evaluate what facilities can be offered. Thus, the general directive is that no special facilities can be provided during peak times. Regular darshan, known as ‘jhanki darshan’, remains open to all devotees,” he continued, as reported by ANI.
The administration has set up crowd-control measures, including a zig-zag line system, to ensure safety and comfort for devotees, as reported by ABP News.
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The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, is a fundamental aspect of the Hindu faith.
In August 2025, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham was declared a plastic-free zone, prohibiting all plastic items such as baskets and water containers for devotees entering the area.
As a part of the ‘Plastic Free Dham’ initiative, MLA Neelkanth Tiwari, corporator Kanaklata Tiwari, and other council members distributed bamboo baskets and steel pots to promote eco-friendly alternatives among shopkeepers.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: Dec 26, 2025 10:23 AM IST
