The Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple has witnessed an unprecedented surge in devotees amidst the ongoing Maha Kumbh, setting a new record in its history. According to data from the temple administration, an astounding three crore devotees have visited the revered temple in the past 45 days.
On average, more than 6.5 Lakh devotees have thronged the shrine daily, surpassing all previous records.
The highest footfall was recorded during the months of January and February, surpassing even the traditionally high influx seen in the month of Sawan.
The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust reported a significant surge in devotees on major religious occasions, with Mahashivratri and Mauni Amavasya witnessing extraordinary numbers.
On Mauni Amavasya alone, over 11 Lakh devotees offered prayers at the temple, while Mahashivratri saw more than 17 Lakh pilgrims visiting Baba Vishwanath’s tableau within a span of just 46 hours.
A Temple official Vishal Singh, expressed his astonishment at the overwhelming response. “This is an extraordinary moment in the history of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The devotion and faith of pilgrims have surpassed all expectations. We are committed to ensuring a seamless experience for all visitors,” he said.
The data further highlights that between January 13 and February 19, the footfall had already crossed two Crore. Within just eight days, from February 20 to February 27, an additional one Crore devotees visited the temple, bringing the total to three crore. This marks a historic high in the temple’s recorded history.
“The increase in footfall is a reflection of people’s unwavering faith and devotion to Baba Vishwanath. The continuous influx of pilgrims has been made possible due to the improved facilities and efficient crowd management,” said a senior official from the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple Trust.
For context, in 2022, the temple saw its first-ever milestone of over one Crore devotees. The number continued to rise, with Sawan 2024 witnessing 53.84 Lakh devotees performing Jalabhishek of Baba Vishwanath. In 2023, another record was set as 1.63 Crore devotees visited the temple during the 60-day Sawan period, beginning July 4. The consistent rise in footfall underscores the growing spiritual significance of the temple and its attraction among devotees worldwide.
Devotees have also shared their experiences of visiting the temple during this period. “Coming to Kashi and having darshan of Baba Vishwanath during Maha Kumbh is a divine blessing. The arrangements made for the pilgrims are commendable,” said Anil Sharma, a devotee from Madhya Pradesh.
The temple administration has attributed this remarkable increase to improved facilities, better crowd management, and the seamless execution of pilgrimage arrangements. With the Maha Kumbh still drawing large numbers, the footfall at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is expected to continue breaking records in the coming weeks.
