Varanasi is the city of God Shiva, but several other Gods and Goddesses also live in this city. Among them is Surya (Sun God), who takes 12 unique forms and has self-manifested in different temples across the city of Varanasi.
In the Puranas, these temples are named as the Dwadasa Aditya temples in Varanasi. Each of these 12 Sun temples in Varanasi reveals a unique manifestation of Surya (Sun God), has a distinct story, and offers specific blessings. Visiting these 12 Sun temples in Varanasi is a rare experience that deepens your connection with the strong energy of Surya (Sun God).
Lolarka Aditya – the trembling sun
The Lolark Aditya temple is located next to the ancient Lolark Kunda (stepwell) near Assi Ghat in Varanasi. As per the mythological story, once upon a time, the demon King Sukeshi’s aerial city outshone the Sun. So, the Sun got furious and burned so brightly that this aerial city was destroyed and crashed to the ground. Seeing this egoistic act of the Sun, God Shiva intervened and directed his fire on the Sun God. The Surya (Sun God) was afraid of God Shiva’s power and hid inside the confluence of Assi and Ganga rivers. And thus, we can now see this manifestation of Lolarka Aditya (Sun God) at this temple.
This is the 3rd most powerful manifestation of the Sun God among all the 12 Sun temples in Varanasi.
The sacred Lolarka Kunda (stepwell) is deeply associated with fertility and blesses couples with progeny. On Lolark Shasthi, thousands of devotees bathe in the holy waters of the Lolarka Kunda and offer heartfelt prayers for children, especially sons – a tradition celebrated since ancient times.
Blessings: Fertility, child blessings, and removal of ancestral sins.
Location: Near Assi Ghat, next to Lolarka Kunda.
Uttararka Aditya – the northern sun
In ancient times, a girl named Sulakshana started praying to the Uttararka Aditya – Sun God near the Uttararka Kunda in Kashi. While she was performing the deep penance of the Surya (Sun God), a goat used to bathe in the holy waters of Uttararka Kunda, wait and watch her for the whole day, eat dry grass and water from the Kunda, and then leave. This went on for several years. When God Shiva and Goddess Parvati saw the deep penance of this girl, God Shiva offered her a boon. But Sulakshana asked God Shiva to bless the goat instead of her. Thus, God Shiva blessed the goat to be born as the daughter of the King of Kashi, and the Uttararka Kunda was renamed as Bakaria Kunda. Seeing the selfless act of Sulkashana, Goddess Parvati was pleased, and she blessed that Sulakshana would always be her companion. As per local beliefs, bathing and praying here, especially during the ‘Pausha‘ month, brings divine blessings.
Blessings: Purification and spiritual cleansing.
Location: Next to Bakaria Kunda, Alaipur.
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Samba Aditya – the Samba’s sun
As per a legend, God Krishna was once angry with his son Samba and cursed him that he would get leprosy. But Samba pleaded his innocence, and God Krishna was moved. He then instructed Samba to get rid of this curse; he must go to Kashi and pray to Surya (Sun God). Thus, Samba came to Kashi, and he dug a Kunda (stepwell) which is now known as Surya Kunda. He did rigorous penance of Surya (Sun God) at this place, and was cured from the dreaded disease. The Sun God who manifested at this place is known as Samba Aditya. As per Kashi Khand, Chp 48, if a person takes a holy dip in Samba Kunda (now known as Surya Kunda), and worships Samba Aditya with devotion at the time of sunrise on a Sunday, he never suffers from diseases.
Blessings: Free from all diseases, healing, and health restoration.
Location: Surya Kunda.
Draupad Aditya – the Draupadi’s sun
When Draupadi, the wife of the 5 Pandavas, came to Kashi, she started deeply praying to Surya (Sun God) at this place. The Sun was pleased by her penance and granted her a ‘never-emptying vessel.’ He said that she can feed any number of guests, and this vessel will never be empty, but the condition was that she should be the last one to eat. Moreover, Surya (Sun God) stated that any devotee who worshipped him at this place would never remain hungry. Thus, the Sun God manifested here came to be known as Draupad Aditya.
Blessings: Removal of all sorrows and hunger, food security, nourishment.
Location: Inside the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor.
Mayukha Aditya – the Brilliant sun
Once Surya (Sun God) installed the Shivalinga named as Gabhateeshwar and an idol of Goddess Mangala Gauri devi, near Panchganga Ghat in Kashi. He started intensely worshipping God Shiva and Goddess Parvati at this spot. He became so brilliant that only his rays were visible. The sunrays started getting warmer and warmer and eventually became unbearable to all living beings.
Hence, God Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared at this spot, and God Shiva gently touched the Surya (Sun God). Then, he calmed down, and his rays became cooler. Thus, the manifestation of Surya (Sun God) in this temple is called Mayukha Aditya. This is the 2nd most powerful manifestation of the Sun God among all the 12 Sun temples in Varanasi.
In Kashi Khand, Chp 49, God Shiva says, “Devotees praying to Mayukhaditya will be free from all diseases and will not face poverty.”
Blessings: Freedom from diseases and poverty.
Location: Inside Mangala Gauri Temple, Panchaganga Ghat.
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Khakhol Aditya – the sky meteor sun
As per the story in Kashi Khand, Sage Kashyap had two wives – Vinata and Kadru. Due to the deception by Kadru, Vinata was forced to be a slave. Vinata’s son Garuda (giant eagle), deeply pained by his mother’s condition, agreed to bring Amrit, the nectar of immortality, to Kadru’s serpent sons in exchange for Vinata’s freedom. During his journey, Garuda encountered God Vishnu, who was moved by his selfless devotion and granted Garuda the honour of becoming his eternal vahana (vehicle). Garuda eventually obtained the Amrit and freed his mother. Realising the need for spiritual penance, Vinata came to Kashi with her son Garuda. Here, Garuda installed a Shiva Linga, and Vinata worshipped Surya (Sun God) at this sacred spot. Pleased by their penance, God Shiva and God Surya appeared, absolving Vinata of all sins and blessing both mother and son.
Thus, Surya (Sun God) manifested here as Khakhol Aditya.
Blessings: Freedom from all sins, achievement of all desired things and removal of all illness.
Location: Inside Kameshwar temple, near Trilochaneshwar temple.
Arun Aditya – the dawn’s sun
As per the above story in Kashi Khand, Sage Kashyap had two wives – Vinata and Kadru. Vinata gave birth to three children – Ulook (Owl), Arun, and Garuda. When Ulook became king of birds but failed in leadership, other birds rejected him, which saddened Vinata. Eager for her remaining eggs to hatch, she prematurely broke one, hoping for a son. Instead, the child Arun was born with a fully formed upper body but undeveloped lower limbs. Angered by Vinata’s impatience, Arun cursed her that she would become a slave to Kadru’s children. After Vinata pleaded for forgiveness, Arun showed compassion and advised her to let the third egg develop naturally, and this third child would free her from the curse.
Later, Arun sought to overcome his physical deformity and came to Kashi to pray to Surya (Sun God). Pleased with his devotion, Sun God appeared and blessed Arun, declaring that Arun would always be his charioteer. Sun God also promised that devotees who worship him in the form of Arun Aditya would never know sorrow or poverty, remain free from illness, and enjoy a smooth life without obstacles.
Blessings: Removal of obstacles, diseases and sorrow.
Location: Inside Trilochaneshwar Temple.
Vriddha Aditya – the old man’s sun
As per the Kashi Khand, an old man named Harit performed severe penance until Surya (Sun God) appeared. Moved by his devotion, Surya (Sun God) restored his youth. It is believed that regular worship here keeps devotees youthful. The original Vriddha Aditya idol is inside the Bade Hanumanji temple. There is one more temple outside, but that is not Vriddha Aditya; it is a simple Lakshmi Yantra, but many pilgrims do get confused here.
Blessings: Youth and removal of diseases.
Location: Inside the Bade Hanumanji temple near Mir Ghat.
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Keshava Aditya – the Keshava’s sun
According to the story in Kashi Khand, Surya (Sun God) once saw Adi Keshava (God Vishnu) worshipping a Shivalinga and was curious why the universally revered God Vishnu would worship God Shiva. So, Adi Keshava explained that in Kashi, God Shiva is supreme, and worshipping the Shivalinga with devotion grants profound spiritual merit. God Vishnu told Surya (Sun God) that a devotee who performs abhishek of Shivalinga and consumes the holy water as prasada receives the merit equal to bathing in all sacred teerthas (holy water bodies). Moved by this sacred knowledge, Surya (Sun God) regarded Adi Keshava as his guru. Thus, Surya (Sun God) is worshipped inside this temple as Keshava Aditya.
This is the most powerful manifestation of the Sun God among all the 12 Sun temples in Varanasi.
Blessings: Supreme knowledge and enlightenment.
Location: Inside Adi Keshava Temple, on Adi Keshava Ghat.
Vimal Aditya – the Vimala’s sun
Long ago, a devotee named Vimal suffered from leprosy, a result of sins from a previous life. Hearing of Kashi’s spiritual power, he left his home and came to Kashi to worship Surya (Sun God) with intense devotion, performing regular pushpa archana (flowers) and pooja rituals dedicated to Surya (Sun God).
Surya (Sun God) was pleased with Vimal’s devotion and appeared before him. With divine grace, Vimal was completely cured of his disease. Surya (Sun God) then offered him a boon. Vimal asked for a blessing that Surya’s devotees would never suffer from such dreadful illnesses or major hardships.
Pleased by this selfless wish, Surya (Sun God) granted it and declared that he would remain in that place as Vimal Aditya, always blessing his devotees. According to Kashi Khand, darshan (just seeing), Vimal Aditya purifies one’s ailments and sins.
Blessings: Destroy illness and cleanse all sins.
Location: in the Jangambadi area, near Godowlia Chouraha.
Ganga Aditya – the Ganga’s sun
King Bhagirath performed severe penance to bring the Goddess Ganga to earth. When Goddess Ganga descended on Earth, Surya (Sun God) also came down to pray to her in Kashi and stayed here forever. It is believed that simply having darshan (just seeing) of Ganga Aditya can cleanse all your sins.
As per Kashi Khand, Chp 51, a sincere devotee who worships Ganga Aditya in Varanasi, neither has to suffer any misfortune nor does he suffer from any disease.
Blessings: removal of misfortune and diseases.
Location: near the Nepali temple on Lalita Ghat.
Yama Aditya – the Yama’s sun
In ancient times, Dharmaraj Yama (God of death and afterlife), who is the son of Surya (Sun God), installed the Yameshwar Shivalinga and performed severe penance at this place. He also installed the Yama Aditya Surya Murti (idol of the Sun God) next to the Yameshwar Shivalinga. These liberate devotees from the sufferings of Yamalok (the afterlife). Anyone who sees Yama Aditya on a Tuesday Chaturdashi becomes free from all ancestral debts.
Blessings: Freedom from fear of death and ancestral debts.
Location: Near Scindia Ghat, next to Yameshwar Shivalinga.
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Sacred spots of Surya (Sun God)
Walking the sacred path of the 12 Sun temples in Varanasi is like witnessing the Surya (Sun God) in his different moods, forms and manifestations across Kashi. The Kashi Khand section in the Skanda Purana highlights the significance of each of these sun temples in Varanasi in detail. Located in Kashi’s narrow lanes and ghats on the banks of the Ganga river, these divine spots are where Surya (Sun God) has self-manifested and worshipped since ancient times.
