Sun Temples Varanasi

12 Aditya (Sun) Temples Of Varanasi

These are temples/shrines dedicated to Sūrya (Sun God), called the Ādityas in many sources.

List of the 12 Sun Temples & Their Locations

Here are their names (in many variants) along with approximate locations in Varanasi, from various sources. Some precise modern landmarks are given; in many cases, the physical temple is destroyed or very altered.

   1. Lolarkaditya (Lolarka Aditya) Lolark Kund.

(also spelled Lolar Kund, Lolarka Kund) is a sacred pond / stepwell located in the Bhadaini area of Varanasi, near Tulsi Ghat, in the southern part of Kashi, near the confluence of the Assi (Asi) stream and the Ganges.

• There is a traditional belief that childless couples who bathe in Lolark Kund on the auspicious day of Lolark Shashti (6th day of the bright half of Bhadrapada) will be blessed with a child.
• On that day, couples often take the dip together, tying the woman’s garment to the man’s (symbolizing unity), and after bathing, they leave their clothes and a fruit or vegetable (which they vow never to consume again) in the Kund.

   2. Draupadaditya Near at Vishwanath Temple, Aksharvat, Varanasi

Who is Draupad Aditya ?

• Draupad Aditya is one of the Dwadasha Adityas — the twelve Sun-shrines (Aditya temples) mentioned in the Kashi Khand (part of the Skanda Purana) connected with Varanasi / Kashi.
• The legend associated with it involves Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas. When the Pandavas were in exile, Draupadi was distressed over their hardships (especially hunger, scarcity). She came to Kashi and worshipped Surya (the Sun). Pleased, Surya gave her a magical vessel (or pot) that would never empty — it would feed any number of guests. But there was a condition: Draupadi would eat last.
• Because of this boon, Draupad Aditya is believed to be the form in which Surya manifests at that place. Devotees believe that worshipping Draupad Aditya ensures one never suffers from hunger and that sorrows are removed if one first worships Draupad Aditya before Lord Vishwanatha in Kashi

   3. Keshavaditya (Adi Keshav / Kesava Aditya)At Adi Keshav Temple, Varanasi

Who is Keshavaditya (Adi Keshav / Kesava Aditya)

• “Keshava Aditya” (also called Adi Keshav) is one of the Dvādaśa Adityas − the twelve Sun-forms or solar deities in the Kashi (Varanasi) tradition, as described in the Kashi Khand (in Skanda Purana) and other Puranic / local texts.

 4. Gangaditya Near Lalita Ghat, close to Nepali Temple, Varanasi

Significance & History

• The temple is one of the 12 Aditya (sun-god/Surya) shrines in Varanasi: the series of “Aditya” temples dedicated to the Sun in various forms.
• According to local tradition (Kashi Khand etc.), the myth goes: when the river Ganga arrived in Kashi, the Sun god (Aditya) came down to praise her, and thus the Ganga Aditya temple is believed to commemorate this moment.
• From the heritage dossier: “In the lower chamber … there are images of Lalita Devi, Varanasi Devi and Bhairava. On the upper portion … there are shrines of Rajarajeshvari, Ganga Aditya and Ganga Keshava, dated 18th-19th century though images mostly older.”
• It’s believed that simply by having darshan (viewing) of this shrine one can be freed of sins and diseases

5. Khakholkaditya At Kameshwar Mahadev, near Trilochan Temple, Varanasi

Significance & What It Comprises

• The main devotee-focus is Lord Shiva: Kameshwar means “the Lord of desires” (Kama-Ishwara) in one interpretation. The temple is described as having two Shivlingas: a larger one called “Durvaseshwar Ling” (associated with sage Durvasa) symbolising bhakti, and a smaller one called “Kameshwar Ling” (symbolising shakti).
• The Sun-shrine of Khakholkaditya (or Khakholka/Khakhol Aditya) is noted in the site walk‐guide: “In the same premises the Khakholda Adtiya Temple has the statue of Sun God.”
• The Sun-shrine is said, according to one listing: “As per beliefs, Khakholak Aditya removes the hurdles from the lives of his devotees. Those who worship Khakholak Aditya get rid of all kinds of sins.”
• Ritual timings: The temple (Kameshwar Mahadev) is open approximately 5 a.m.–12 noon and 5 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Mangala Aarti at ~5:30 a.m., Shayan Aarti (night) at ~9:30 p.m

   6. Uttararkaditya Alipur Bakariya Kund, Varanasi

Significance & Legend

• The shrine is dedicated to the Sun-God in the form of Uttarark Aditya (“Uttar” meaning north, “Ark” meaning sun) — essentially the northern Surya-form in the city’s Aditya temple tradition.
• The legend (from the Kashi Khanda, Chapter 47) says: A Brahmin named Priyavrat lived in Kashi, had a daughter Sulakshana. Her parents died when she was young, and she undertook severe penance before the Sun (Uttarark Aditya). A white goat would daily bathe in the Kund (water pool) associated with the shrine

   7. Mayukhaditya (Mayukha Aditya) Mangalagauri Temple, Panchaganga Ghat, Varanasi

Significance & Legend

• The shrine is part of the “Aditya” (Sun-God) temple series in Varanasi — dedicated to a form of the Sun, here called Mayukh Aditya (Mayukh = “effulgence”, Aditya = Sun).
• Legend as given: “Once the Sun-god (Surya) installed a Shiva-Ling (called Gabhasteeshwar) and a Devi-image (Mangala Gauri) at Panchanada Teerth (Panchganga Ghat) and began intense worship of Lord Shiva. The heat of his devotion became excessive, causing his rays to become dangerous. Shiva and Parvati intervened; Shiva touched Surya, which cooled his intensity. Surya then opened his eyes, sang praises, and was declared Mayukh Aditya.”
• The belief: Worshipping Mayukh Aditya (especially on Sundays) and bathing at the ghat helps relieve illness and afflictions related to the Sun in one’s horoscope.

   8. Sambaditya (Samba Aditya)Suraj Kund, Varanasi

Legend & Significance

• The shrine of Samba Aditya is part of the set of “12 Aditya” (Sun-God) temples in Kashi (Varanasi).
• Legend (from the Kashi Khanda, Chapter 48) states that Samba (son of Krishna and Jambavathi) suffered a serious skin-disease (leprosy) due to a curse. He was advised to come to Kashi, build a kund (tank) and worship Surya (the Sun God). He created this tank (the Samba Kund/Suraj Kund), bathed in it and performed penance, and was healed. So the Sun-god in this location came to be called Samba Aditya.

   9. Vimaladitya (Vimala Aditya)Near Hari Kesheshwar Temple, Jangambadi, Varanasi

Significance & Legend

• According to local tradition (citing the “Kashi Khanda”), there was once a devotee named Vimal who, afflicted by leprosy, gave up home and family and came to Kashi to worship the Sun‐god (Surya) with full fervour. His devotion pleased Surya, who healed him and granted that henceforth the deity would be called “Vimal Aditya”.
•  “He who is called Vimala-Aditya is always the bestower of boons to devotees, destroyer of all illnesses, and destroyer of all sins.”
• Thus, the shrine is believed to have special power in the removal of disease / illness (especially skin ailments like leprosy in the legend) and in purifying sin.
• It is one of the twelve Aditya temples of Varanasi — temples dedicated to different aspects of the Sun-god (Surya) across the city.

    10. Vriddhaditya  Mir Ghat, Varanasi

   11. Arunaditya Devi Paatan Mohalla, Trilochan Ghat / Machhodari, Varanasi

What is Arun Aditya

• Arun Aditya is one of the Dvādaśa Adityas (12 Sun deities / Solar forms) in the Kashi tradition. The Kashi Khand (part of the Skanda Purāṇa) mentions that worshipping Arun Aditya brings relief from suffering: specifically, the slokas say that one who worships Arun Aditya will be free from disease, obstacles, and sorrow. Varanasi Temples

• The name “Arun Aditya” generally denotes the “rising Sun” / early morning Sun form, symbolizing new beginnings, hope, healing. In local tradition it has devotional significance.

   12. Amaditya Sankatha ghat, Varanasi 

As per legends, Once Yamraj Ji installed one Shiva Linga < one idol of God Surya in Yama teertha and performed rigorous tapa. This Shiv linga came to be known as Yameshwar Teertha and the Idol of God Surya came to to be known as Yama Aditya.

By Devendra Kumar Mishra

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