As stated by Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, the Chief Executive Officer of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, the decision was made on December 24 in light of the substantial influx of devotees. “Providing any special facilities or protocols for darshan is unfeasible,” Mishra explained, noting that the suspension would be reassessed once the crowds lessen.
The temple anticipates a significant surge of pilgrims
during the New Year, expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors daily.
#WATCH | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: In light of the VIP darshan suspension for New Year, Kashi Vishwanath Mandir CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra remarks, “…On December 24, 2025, the temple trust concluded it would be impossible to offer any special… pic.twitter.com/oXTjJD8Z78
— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2025
“Thus, we have decided to postpone this for now, and once the crowds diminish, we will evaluate which facilities can be offered. The general guideline remains that no special arrangements can be made during peak times. Regular darshan, known as ‘jhanki darshan’, is available for all devotees,” he added, as reported by ANI.
The administration has enforced crowd-control strategies, such as a zig-zag line system, to enhance safety and ease for devotees, as noted by ABP News.
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The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga, one of India’s twelve Jyotirlingas, serves as a foundational element of the Hindu faith.
In August 2025, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham was designated a plastic-free zone, prohibiting all plastic items like baskets and water containers for devotees entering the area.
As part of the ‘Plastic Free Dham’ initiative, MLA Neelkanth Tiwari, corporator Kanaklata Tiwari, and other council members provided bamboo baskets and steel containers to encourage shopkeepers to opt for eco-friendly alternatives.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: Dec 26, 2025 10:23 AM IST
