Kashi Vishwanath Temple
The Jyotirlinga of Shiva at the heart of Kashi; the standard pairing before or after Kaal Bhairav.
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Tulsidas-founded Hanuman shrine on the city's south side, famed for its Tuesday and Saturday crowds.
Vindhyavasini Devi, Mirzapur
A powerful Shakti shrine on the Ganga, an easy day trip south of Varanasi.
Kaal Bhairav is almost never visited alone; it is the natural companion darshan to Kashi Vishwanath, the Shiva Jyotirlinga about 2 km away at the heart of the old city, and Banarasi custom links the two, the Lord of Kashi and its guardian kotwal. Pilgrims typically do Vishwanath and Kaal Bhairav in one loop, then add the Ganga ghats and the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh.
On the city's southern side, the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, roughly 6 to 7 km away and founded in the Tulsidas tradition, is a beloved stop, busiest on Tuesdays and Saturdays. For a half-day trip beyond the city, the Vindhyavasini Shakti shrine at Mirzapur sits about 65 to 70 km south along the Ganga and rounds out a Shiva-and-Shakti circuit from Varanasi. Distances are approx and depend on old-city traffic.
← Back to the full Kaal Bhairav darshan guideCompiled from public sources including Wikipedia: Kaal Bhairav Mandir, Varanasi · Wikipedia: Bhairava · Wikipedia: List of Hindu temples in Varanasi. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.