2026 Date & Temple Timings: In Varanasi, Maa Annapurna Jayanti and Margashirsha Purnima fall on Wednesday, 23 December 2026. Purnima tithi starts at 10:47 AM on Wednesday, 23 December and ends at 06:57 AM on Thursday, 24 December 2026. At Shri Kashi Annapurna Mandir in Vishwanath Gali, sanctum gates open with Mangala Aarti at 04:00 AM, followed by Rajat Shringar (silver decoration), 56 Bhog at 11:30 AM, and a day-long free community feast (Maha-Annadanam) at the temple's Annakshetra.
Annapurna Jayanti marks the appearance day of Goddess Annapurna, the deity of food and nourishment. According to the Kashi Khanda, this is the day Goddess Parvati manifested in Kashi to offer food (bhiksha) to Lord Shiva, ensuring no one in Varanasi goes hungry.
Unlike Diwali week—when crowds queue for hours to see the locked first-floor gold idol—Annapurna Jayanti centers on the ground-floor brass deity in Vishwanath Gali, home kitchen rituals (Rasoi Puja), and holy dips at the ghats.
Visiting Varanasi in late December means handling morning fog delays, busy holiday crowds, and vehicle bans around the old city. It also means watching out for street touts selling fake "gold idol passes."
2026 Annapurna Jayanti Date & Temple Schedule
Panchang timings for Varanasi:
Ritual / Event
Date
Timing
Location & Details
Margashirsha Purnima Begins
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
10:47 AM
Purnima tithi starts; afternoon charity and pujas begin.
Margashirsha Purnima Ends
Thursday, 24 Dec 2026
06:57 AM
Tithi ends; Thursday dawn bath marks Purnima Parana.
Brahma Muhurta Snan
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
05:14 AM – 06:05 AM
Holy dip at Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, or Dattatreya Ghat.
Mangala Aarti & Gates Open
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
04:00 AM – 05:00 AM
Temple doors open at Annapurna Mandir; morning shringar begins.
Morning Darshan
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
05:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Free darshan of Maa Annapurna in silver shringar; queue in Vishwanath Gali.
Chhappan Bhog Aarti
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
56 traditional food offerings presented to the deity.
Afternoon Temple Rest (Patt Band)
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
12:30 PM – 02:00 PM
Sanctum doors close for afternoon bhog and rest.
Annakshetra Free Meal (Bhandara)
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
11:30 AM – 04:00 PM
Free community lunch for pilgrims in the multi-storey Annakshetra.
Evening Shringar & Aarti
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
07:00 PM – 08:00 PM
Evening aarti with dhol, bells, and stotra chanting.
Shayan Aarti & Night Closing
Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
10:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Final night aarti; doors close until morning.
Practical Note: The temple closes between 12:30 PM and 02:00 PM. If you arrive late in the morning, reach Vishwanath Gali before 11:30 AM so you don't get stuck waiting on the street.
Visiting Varanasi for Annapurna Jayanti & Margashirsha Purnima (23 December 2026)? The Vishwanath Gali area is strictly pedestrian. We provide fixed-fare airport/station transfers with winter fog tracking, designated drops at Benia Bagh / Maidagin, elder-friendly standby cabs, and clean family Tempo Travellers with zero holiday surge pricing.
🛕 Benia Bagh / Maidagin Perimeter Drops·✈️ Winter Fog Flight Delay Monitoring·👵 Senior-Citizen Friendly & Zero Surcharge·🛡️ Fixed Rates in Writing
Why You Won't See the Gold Idol on 23 December (Avoid Touts)
Before planning your trip, keep this key difference in mind:
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ TWO SEPARATE FESTIVALS IN KASHI │
│ │
│ 1. Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj (Diwali Week - November): │
│ • The 1st-floor vault opens for only 5 days │
│ • The solid-gold idol is shown to the public │
│ • Coins ("Annapurna Khazana") are distributed │
│ │
│ 2. Annapurna Jayanti (Margashirsha Purnima - 23 December 2026): │
│ • Appearance day of Maa Annapurna │
│ • Darshan is of the ground-floor brass sanctum deity │
│ • Special silver shringar (Rajat Shringar) and flower canopy │
│ • Free community feast at Annakshetra │
│ • THE FIRST-FLOOR GOLD VAULT STAYS LOCKED │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
1. The Gold Idol Vault Remains Locked
The solid-gold idol on the temple's upper floor is brought out only for five days during Diwali week (Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj). For details on that autumn event, see our Maa Annapurna Swarna Roop Darshan Guide.
On Annapurna Jayanti (23 December 2026), darshan is at the ground-floor sanctum. The brass deity is dressed in silver shringar, Banarasi silks, and fresh flowers (Phool Bangla). Queues move steadily, without the multi-hour gridlock of Dhanteras.
Touts & Scams: Men near Godowlia Crossing, Bansphatak, and Vishwanath Gali often approach tourists offering "VIP passes for the golden idol." The gold vault is locked by the trust and district administration and will not open until late 2027. Do not pay anyone claiming to offer gold idol access on Annapurna Jayanti.
2. Kashi Vishwanath Sugam Darshan Passes Do Not Work Here
Shri Kashi Annapurna Mandir is run by an independent trust (Mahant Shankar Puri Trust). It is not managed by the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust (SKVT).
Online ₹300 Sugam Darshan tickets bought for Baba Vishwanath are not valid at Annapurna Mandir. Entry at Annapurna Mandir is free for everyone through the main queue in Vishwanath Gali.
Four Events in Varanasi on 23 December
Margashirsha Purnima brings together four related observances across the city:
[ 23 December 2026 in Kashi ]
│
┌────────────────┬───────────────┴───────────────┬────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Annapurna Mandir Annakshetra Feast Rasoi / Chulha Puja Dattatreya Ghat
Silver shringar Free hot satvik lunch Home kitchen puja Morning dip &
& 56 Bhog Aarti for all pilgrims across the city Paduka abhishek
1. Shri Kashi Annapurna Mandir Darshan & 56 Bhog
Located in Vishwanath Gali, about 50 meters from Kashi Vishwanath Dham Gate 4 (Bansphatak), the temple is decorated with marigolds and lights. At 11:30 AM, priests offer Chhappan Bhog (56 dishes), including seasonal sweets (pedas, malpua, ghewar, kheer) and winter vegetables.
Devotees and priests chant Adi Shankaracharya’s Sri Annapurna Ashtakam:
नित्यानन्दकरी वराभयकरी सौन्दर्यरत्नाकरी निर्धूताखिलघोरपावनकरी प्रत्यक्षमाहेश्वरी। प्रालेयाचलवंशपावनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी॥ (Giver of eternal bliss, grantor of fearlessness, Queen of Kashi, grant us the alms of grace and nourishment).
2. Free Meals at Annakshetra (Bhandara)
Right across from the shrine is the temple trust's multi-storey Annakshetra. It serves free food year-round, but on Annapurna Jayanti, it scales up to feed between 15,000 and 25,000 people.
Devotees sit in rows (pangat) on dining floors. The meal includes hot basmati rice, arhar dal, seasonal aloo-gobhi-matar, hot puris, and kheer. Dining is free. If you want to contribute toward feeding pilgrims and sadhus, donate directly at the official trust counter and collect a printed receipt.
3. Kitchen Worship at Home (Rasoi & Chulha Pujan)
Across Varanasi and North India, households treat Annapurna Jayanti as a day to honor their kitchen:
Morning Cleaning: The entire kitchen is washed and cleaned at dawn.
Worshipping the Stove: The gas stove or chulha is wiped down and marked with vermilion (roli), turmeric (haldi), and rice grains (akshat).
Auspicious Marks: Small swastikas or footprints are drawn at the kitchen entrance with rice flour paste (aipana).
First Offering: An image of Maa Annapurna is placed by the cooking area, and a ghee lamp is lit. The day's first dish—usually rice kheer or halwa—is made without tasting and offered to the deity before anyone eats.
No Food Waste: Families make sure no cooked food is wasted on this day, and many donate dry rations (rice, flour, dal, cooking oil) to people in need.
4. Dattatreya Jayanti at Dattatreya Ghat
Between Scindia Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat sits Dattatreya Ghat, where a small stone shrine holds the sacred footprints (Charan Paduka) of Lord Dattatreya (representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).
By Banarasi tradition, Lord Dattatreya visits Kashi every day at noon to bathe in the Ganga. On Margashirsha Purnima (his appearance day), sadhus and pilgrims gather at sunrise:
Priests perform a pre-dawn Panchamrit abhishek of the footprints.
Devotees take a morning dip in the river and chant the Avadhuta Gita and Datta Stotram.
Warm blankets, shawls, and food are distributed to ascetics along the ghat steps.
Winter Fog Planning & Babatpur Airport Delays
Late December mornings in Varanasi often have thick fog (kuhasa). Keep these points in mind when planning your transport:
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ DECEMBER FOG PLANNING CHECKLIST │
│ │
│ • Flight Timing: Pick arrivals between 12:00 PM and 04:00 PM. │
│ Flights before 10:00 AM often face 1–3 hour holding delays. │
│ • Train Buffer: Fog frequently delays northern trains by 2–5 hours. │
│ Avoid booking tight temple darshan slots on arrival day. │
│ • Pre-Booked Cab: Use a driver service that tracks flight updates │
│ so delayed landings do not trigger waiting fees. │
│ • Cold Floors: Temple stone drops to 10°C; pack thick grip-socks │
│ for older family members. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Airport Timing: Babatpur Airport (VNS) sees its heaviest fog between 05:00 AM and 09:30 AM. Afternoon flights (12:00 PM to 04:00 PM) are much more reliable.
Train Delays: Long-distance trains into Cantt (Varanasi Jn), Banaras (BSBS), or DDU from Delhi, Bihar, or West Bengal often run 2 to 4 hours behind schedule. Keep your arrival day schedule flexible.
Airport & Station Pickups: If your flight or train is delayed, booking ahead with an operator that tracks schedules prevents waiting fees. Our chauffeurs monitor live arrivals and adjust pickup times accordingly.
Parking Drops & Walking Routes to Vishwanath Gali
The streets around Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Annapurna Mandir are strictly pedestrian. Cabs and autos cannot enter Vishwanath Gali. Have your driver drop you at one of two perimeter parking areas:
[ Babatpur Airport / Cantt Railway Station ]
│
┌─────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼
[ Benia Bagh Multi-Level Parking ] [ Maidagin Town Hall Parking ]
(West approach: 700m flat walk via (North approach: 850m walk via
Bansphatak / Vishwanath Gate 4) Chowk into Vishwanath Gali)
│ │
▼ ▼
[ Bansphatak Crossing ] [ Chowk Crossing ]
│ │
└────────────────────────► [ VISHWANATH GALI ] ◄────────────┘
│
▼
[ Shri Kashi Annapurna Mandir ]
Drop Point: Benia Bagh Parking, Luxa–Dashashwamedh Link Road.
Walking Distance: About 700 meters to Annapurna Mandir.
Route: Walk to Dashashwamedh Road, or take an e-rickshaw to Bansphatak Crossing. From Bansphatak, enter Vishwanath Gali through Gate 4; Annapurna Mandir is 50 meters inside on the right.
Best For: Families with seniors and young kids. The walk is flat, and e-rickshaws cover the first half of the distance.
2. Maidagin Multi-Level Parking / Town Hall (North Route)
Drop Point: Maidagin Crossing, Town Hall Parking.
Walking Distance: About 850 meters.
Route: Walk south through Bulanala to Chowk Crossing. Turn left into Vishwanath Gali and continue 300 meters past the shops to reach the temple.
Best For: Travellers who want to visit Kaal Bhairav Temple first (400 meters north of Maidagin).
Getting to Dattatreya Ghat
On Foot: From Chowk Crossing, walk down through the narrow alleys toward Scindia Ghat (600 meters). The stone stairs are steep, uneven, and can be slippery with morning dew.
By Boat (Recommended for Seniors): Take a small wooden boat from Dashashwamedh Ghat or Namo Ghat. The boat drops you directly at the Dattatreya Ghat steps, skipping the steep alley stairs entirely.
Tips for Seniors and Families
If you are travelling with elderly parents in late December:
Wear Thick Grip-Socks: Shoes must be left outside. In December, the marble and stone floors drop to 8°C–11°C. Thick woolen socks with rubber grip pads keep feet warm and prevent slipping on wet patches.
Best Darshan Times: Peak crowds hit between 08:30 AM and 11:00 AM. For a calmer visit:
Early Morning (06:00 AM – 07:30 AM): The post-Mangala Aarti lull has shorter, steady lines.
Early Afternoon (02:15 PM – 03:45 PM): Right after the temple reopens from its afternoon break, lines are light.
Bags and Belongings: While Vishwanath Dham requires lockers for phones and bags, Annapurna Mandir permits small handbags. Keep your phone and wallet in an inside zippered pocket while walking through Vishwanath Gali.
Fixed-Fare Fleet Rates (No Peak Surcharges)
Holiday demand in late December leads many local auto and cab drivers to raise their rates on the spot. If you want guaranteed, fixed pricing with flight tracking, here are our standard fleet rates:
Vehicle Category
Model Example
Capacity
Airport Transfer (VNS ⇄ City)
Half-Day Local (4h / 40km)
Full-Day Local (8h / 80km)
Extended Tour (12h / 120km)
AC Sedan
Maruti Dzire / Etios
4 Pax + 2 Bags
₹899
₹1,600
₹2,499
₹3,200
AC Compact SUV
Maruti Ertiga
6 Pax + 3 Bags
₹1,299
₹2,000
₹2,800
₹3,900
Premium SUV
Toyota Innova
6 Pax + 4 Bags
₹1,500
₹2,400
₹3,200
₹4,500
Luxury MPV
Innova Crysta
6/7 Pax + 4 Bags
₹1,800
₹2,800
₹3,800
₹5,200
Maharaja Tempo
Force 12-Seater
11 Pax + Luggage
₹2,200
₹3,000
₹3,800
₹5,000
Executive Tempo
Force 17-Seater
16 Pax + Luggage
₹2,500
₹3,200
₹4,250
₹5,500
Mini Coach
Force 26-Seater
25 Pax + Luggage
₹3,200
₹4,000
₹5,200
₹6,800
Luxury Coach
Force Urbania
12/16 Luxury Seats
₹3,500
₹4,500
₹5,800
₹7,200
Pricing Details: Rates include fuel, driver allowances, and road taxes. Underground parking tickets at Benia Bagh or Maidagin (₹50–₹100) are billed at the actual municipal ticket cost. We do not charge peak-season surge on advance bookings.
If you have one full day for the festival, this schedule fits the temple timings and avoids the worst traffic bottlenecks:
05:30 AM – 06:45 AM: Head to Dashashwamedh Ghat for an early Margashirsha Purnima dip. Take a wooden rowboat on the river as the morning mist lifts, pausing offshore at Dattatreya Ghat to see the early-morning Datta Paduka abhishek.
07:00 AM – 08:30 AM: Breakfast near Godowlia: hot kachori-sabzi, jalebi, and kulhad chai. Look for fresh morning Malaiyyo—the saffron-flavored winter milk foam sold only from November to February.
08:45 AM – 10:30 AM: Get dropped at Benia Bagh Parking. Walk through Bansphatak into Vishwanath Gali for Shri Kashi Annapurna Mandir darshan. See the deity in silver shringar and offer raw rice or sweets if you wish.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM: Enter adjoining Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham via Gate 4 for Baba Vishwanath Jyotirlinga darshan.
12:00 PM – 01:15 PM: Head to the temple's Annakshetra for the Maha-Annadanam. Have the hot community meal served to pilgrims and sadhus.
01:30 PM – 03:30 PM: Cab back to your hotel to rest during peak midday traffic.
04:00 PM – 06:30 PM: Cab to South Varanasi. Visit Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and the New Vishwanath Temple (VT) on the BHU campus.
07:00 PM – 08:30 PM: End the evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat or Rajendra Prasad Ghat for the Ganga Aarti.
Visiting Varanasi for Annapurna Jayanti & Margashirsha Purnima (23 December 2026)? The Vishwanath Gali area is strictly pedestrian. We provide fixed-fare airport/station transfers with winter fog tracking, designated drops at Benia Bagh / Maidagin, elder-friendly standby cabs, and clean family Tempo Travellers with zero holiday surge pricing.
🛕 Benia Bagh / Maidagin Perimeter Drops·✈️ Winter Fog Flight Delay Monitoring·👵 Senior-Citizen Friendly & Zero Surcharge·🛡️ Fixed Rates in Writing
Frequently Asked Questions About Annapurna Jayanti in Varanasi
When is Maa Annapurna Jayanti celebrated in Varanasi in 2026?
In Varanasi, Maa Annapurna Jayanti is observed on Wednesday, 23 December 2026, on Margashirsha Purnima. Purnima tithi begins at 10:47 AM on 23 December and ends at 06:57 AM on 24 December. Annapurna Mandir stays open from 04:00 AM (Mangala Aarti) to 10:30 PM (Shayan Aarti), with free community meals at Annakshetra.
Is the golden idol of Maa Annapurna open on Annapurna Jayanti?
No. The solid-gold idol on the upper floor is open strictly for five days during Diwali week (Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj). On Annapurna Jayanti in December, devotees worship the ground-floor sanctum brass deity, decorated in silver shringar and fresh flowers.
Do online Kashi Vishwanath Sugam Darshan tickets work at Annapurna Mandir?
No. Shri Kashi Annapurna Mandir is run by the Mahant Shankar Puri Trust and is separate from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust. Sugam Darshan tickets bought on the Vishwanath portal are not valid here. Entry at Annapurna Mandir is free through the Vishwanath Gali queue.
What is the tradition of Rasoi Puja on Annapurna Jayanti?
Annapurna Jayanti is observed at home by worshipping the kitchen. Families clean their cooking area, apply turmeric and vermilion to the stove, and offer the day's first dish (usually rice kheer) to Maa Annapurna before eating. Cooking is done with care not to waste food.
Where should my taxi drop me to reach Annapurna Mandir?
Because Vishwanath Gali is entirely pedestrian, cabs drop passengers at Benia Bagh Multi-Level Underground Parking (a flat 700-meter walk via Bansphatak Gate 4) or Maidagin Town Hall Parking (an 850-meter walk via Chowk). Seniors can take authorized battery e-rickshaws from Benia Bagh to Bansphatak crossing to minimize walking.
How does winter fog affect December travel to Varanasi?
Dense morning fog frequently delays early-morning flights at Babatpur Airport (VNS) and trains at Cantt, Banaras, and DDU stations. Travellers should prefer flights landing between 12:00 PM and 04:00 PM and book airport pickups with a dispatcher that monitors flight delays in real time without charging waiting penalties.
