The temple generally opens at 4:00 AM for morning rituals, with general darshan continuing through the morning until around 2:00-3:30 PM. It closes briefly for cleaning and rest, then reopens around 6:00 PM for evening Aarti until about 8:00-9:00 PM. Timings can change during Shravan, Mahashivratri and other major occasions - it's worth confirming locally when you arrive.
It's one of very few sites in India that is both a Jyotirlinga (a sacred Shiva shrine) and a Shakti Peetha (a site linked to Goddess Sati) at the same location - a rare and powerful combination that sets it apart from other pilgrimage destinations.
Key rituals include the Shodashopachar Puja (a detailed 16-step morning worship), Shringar Puja (ceremonial decoration of the Jyotirlinga), and the Ghandhan ritual, where red threads are tied between the Shiva and Parvati temples as a blessing. Morning and evening Aarti are open for devotees to witness.
Yes, significantly - the temple extends darshan hours to manage the huge daily footfall, especially on Shravan Mondays. Expect longer queues and revised schedules during this period, so plan extra time.
Modest, traditional clothing is appropriate, and queues can be long, especially in the morning and during peak season - arriving very early or in the evening off-peak hours generally means a shorter wait.