The Puranic Origins Of Dhundi Ganapathi & 56 other Vinayakas.

Locations of each of the 56 Vinayakas centered around the shrine of the original Vishvanatha Temple

Among all the various manifestations of Ganapathi, Dhundi Ganapathi has a special significance. His origins are mentioned in the Kashi Khanda of the Skandapuranam. Also known as Dhundiraja, he has a prime position at the center of Kashi. Along with Dhundi Ganapathi there were 56 other forms of Vinayaka at Kashi. These Vinayakas were situated at the 8 directional points in 7 concentric circles centering around Dhundi Ganapathi near the original Kashi Vishwanatha Temple.

The 1st concentric circle used to have 8 different forms of Vinayakas

1) Arka 

2) Durga 

3) Bhimachandha 

4) Dehali 

5) Uddhanda 

6) Pashapani 

7) Kharva 

8) Siddhi Vinayaka

Vinayakas in the 2nd concentric circle

1) Lambodara 

2 )Kutadanta 

3) Saalakatantaka 

4) Kusmandha 

5) Mundha Vinayaka 

6) Vikatadvija 

7) Rajaputra

8) Pranava

Vinayakas in the 3rd concentric circle

1) Vakratunda

 2) Ekadanta 

3) Trimukha 

4) Pancasya 

5) Herambha 

6) Vighnaraja 

7) Varada 

8) Modakapriya

Vinayakas in the 4th concentric circle

1) Abhayada 

2) Simhatunda 

3) Kunitaksha 

4) Kshipraprasadana 

5) Chintamani 

6) Dantahasta 

7) Picandhila 

8) Uddandhamundha

Vinayakas in the 5th concentric circle 

1) Sthuladanta 

2) Kalipriya 

3) Caturdanta 

4) Dvitundha 

5) Jyestha 

6) Gajavinayaka 

7) Kalavinayaka 

8) Nagesha

Vinayakas in the 6th concentric circle

1) Manikarna 

2) Asavinayaka 

3) Sristiganesha 

4) Yaksavighnesha 

5) Gajakarna 

6) Citraghanta 

7) Sthulajangha 

8) Mitravinayaka

Vinayakas in the 7th & final circle 

1) Vinayakas 1-5 are mentioned as Moda and others in the Shlokas 

6) Jnanavinayaka 

7) Dvaravighnesha 

8) Avimuktavinayaka

Unfortunately none of these Vinayakas exist as of today in their original Puranika forms as a result of successive waves of barbaric islamic invasions & Temple destruction. Below is a graphical representation of all the above Vinayakas & their respective locations. At the center is original Temple of Vishvanatha.This was mapped out by Prof Rana P.B. Singh of the Benaras Hindu University.

Locations of the 56 Vinayakas. At the center is the original Linga of Kashi Vishvanath

Shlokas from the Kashi Khanda of the Skandapurana 

The story behind the arrival of Vinayaka at Kashi is explained by Skanda to Agastya maha muni. On the instructions of Shiva; Ganesha arrives at Kashi from the Mandara mountain.

Vinayaka's arrival was shortly followed by the arrival of Shiva himself. Accompanying him were Parvathi, Nandi, Bhringhi. Along with Maha Vishnu, Lakshmi, Brahma, Vishvakarma & others. In this Adhyaya, Shiva eulogizes Dhundi Vinayaka. Shiva explains the meaning of "Dhundhi" in the following Shloka. "The root Dhundh is well known to mean “to search for”. Your name Dhundhi is due to the fact that you search for everything that your devotees require and bestow on them"

Shiva says in the below Shloka that those who come to Kashi should have a darshana of Dhundi Vinayaka 1st followed by Vishveshwara. All obstacles of those who bow down to Dhundi everyday will be removed. Devotee should propitiate Dhundi by means of huge quantities of modaka, dhoopa, deepa.

Following this, Shiva explains the significance of each one of the 56 Vinayakas & their respective locations around Kashi.Arkavinayaka is situated at the confluence of Ganga and Asi. If he is visited on Sundays by people, he will subdue all distresses.

Durga Ganapathi is the destroyer of all wretchedness. 

Bhimacandavinayaka removes all fear. 

Dehalivinayaka & Uddandha Ganapathi removes all obstacles. 

Kharvavinayaka will subdue and shorten even huge obstacles.

Siddhivinayaka is a prompt bestower of powers on a Sadhaka.

Lambodara washes off all the mud of obstacles. 

Kuthadanta is the annihilator of difficulties and calamities. 

Kusmandha by the devotees for the suppression of great mishaps and calamities. 

Mundhavinayaka is called by that name because his body is stationed in Patala.

Those who worship Vikatadvija shall obtain the favour of the Ganas. 

A king who has lost his kingdom will win back his kingdom by worshiping Rajaputra Vinayaka. 

Those who bow down to Pranava Vinayaka will attain Swarga.

Vakratunda, the remover of mass of sins. Ekadantaka protects from calamities. 

Trimukha is the remover of the fear of people of Kashi. 

Pancasya rides a chariot drawn by lions.

He is the protector of Kashi. Heramba fulfills all the desires of the people of Kashi.

Vighnaraja Vinayaka is the destroyer of all obstacles. 

Varada Vinayaka is to be worshiped for those seeking to be bestowed with boons. 

Modakapriya Vinayaka, Shiva says is worthy of being adored.

Sthuladanta bestows enormous siddhis.

Kalipriya punishes those who harass his devotees.

Caturdanta removes all kinds of obstracles.

Dvitundha bestows glory & splendour.

Jyestha Vinayaka is the eldest among all Vinayakas, visiting him will result in acquisition of excellence.

Devotee is honoured in Nagaloka by visiting Nagesha. 

The Ganapati named Manikarna is the destroyer of obstacles. 

Ashavinayaka fullfills hopes & desires. 

Srsthiganesha is the indicator of creation & annihilation. 

Yaksha Vighnesha is the destroyer of all obstacles.

Gajakarna is the cause of welfare to all. 

Sthulajangha subdues the sins of those who control their minds. 

Modavinayaka, Jnanavinayaka, Dvaravighnesha, Avimukta Vinayaka all remove distress of those with humble minds.

Skanda concludes by saying to Agastya muni that by repeating these 56 names of Dhundhiraja, a man shall get whatever he desires.

REFERENCE

Skandapurana by Nag Publishers

The Puranic Origins of the 12 Suryanarayana Temples of Kashi mentioned in the Skandapuranam

The 14 Surya Temples of Kashi as mapped out by Prof Rana P.B. Singh

Surya Temples mentioned in the map are no ordinary teerthas. They find mention in the Skandapuranam.The sthalapurana of each one of these temples is explained in detail by Skanda to Agastya muni. Its worth having a look at the puranic description of each of these teerthas. The Shlokas below from the Skandapuranam making a mention of each Temple. 

1) LOLARKADITYA TEERTHA

Lolarka is considered to be the foremost among of Surya teerthas at Kashi. It came to be known by that name since Surya was very eager to see Kashi when he came down to test the then ruler of Kashi, Divodasa. Its exact location is given in the below shloka.

Lolarka was established in the southern direction of Kashi at the confluence of Asi river & Ganga. Skanda also mentions a number of benefits to be had by having a Darshana of Lolarka. A darshana of Lolarka on Rathasaptami removes all paapa.

Lolarka was once a grand & magnificient Temple, that is before the brutal islamic invasions. Today it is a very modest Temple that houses a small murthi of Suryanarayana. The Temple also has a Pushkarni(Tank) attached to it. It is called Lolark kund.

Lolarkaditya

Lolarka Kunda

2) UTTARKADITYA TEERTHA 

Uttararka is the next important teertha. The Sthalapurana of this teertha is that of an orphaned girl named Sulakshana who was left devastated by the untimely death of her parents.

The kindhearted Sulakshana to overcome her sorrow sits on a penance at Uttararka. During her penance she used to observe a goat kid which used to come there everyday & stand still in front of her. In the evening it used to eat grass & leaves & drink the water from the pool.

The same goat kid visited her everyday for many years during her penance. Eventually pleased with Sulakshana's devotion, Shiva & Parvathi grant her a darshan & ask her to choose a boon.

The kind & largehearted Sulakshana before asking for the boon thought to herself that the goat kid, which had been visiting her everyday for many years was equally deserving as her to be blessed, that since it being an animal didn't have a mouth to ask for anything.

Sulakshana requests that the goat kid be blessed instead. Shiva & Parvathi are left even more pleased by Sulakshana's conduct & kind nature. Eventually Sulakshana's becomes one of the companion of Parvathi along with Jaya,Vijaya, Jayantika, Subha & others & goes to Kailasa.

The goat kid meanwhile is blessed by Lord Shiva to be born as the princess of Kashi in its next birth. The teertha has also since then came to be known as "Barkari" Kunda. Below shloka says annual pilgrimage of Uttararka should be performed on a Sunday in the month of Pushya.

Uttarkaditya today is an extremely modest shrine housed within the precincts of a wall. Only can only image what a magnificent Temple this would have been before the invasions. 

Uttarkaditya

3) SAMBHADITYA TEERTHA

The next great Surya teertha is Sambaditya. Sambha, the son of Bhagavan Krishna, after being cursed by his father to suffer from leprosy when the he intrudes unannounced into Krishna's private residence. Krishna then advises Sambha to go to Kashi to rid of the curse.

On the advise of his father, Sambha reaches Kashi & performs severe austerities to please Surya. As a result he is cured of his condition (leprosy) Ever since, Sambaditya has become dispeller of all diseases. Anyone taking a dip at the kunda here is free from all ailments.

Sambhaditya

4) DRUPADADITYA TEERTHA

The 4th great Surya Teertha is Draupadaditya. It is here that the Pandavas receive the Akshayapatra from Bhagavan Suryanarayana. Draupathi performs severe vratas at this very spot to attain it. The original temple has since been destroyed. The present structure is a very modest one.

Drupadaditya

5) MAYUKADITYA TEERTHA

The 5th great Surya teertha is Mayukhaditya. This is where Lord Shiva grants Surya a number of Varas. The Mangalashtakam(recited at marriages) was composed by Lord Surya in praise of Gowri at this very spot. The present day Mayukhaditya shrine is inside the Mangala devi temple.

Mayukaditya

6) KHAKHOLADITYA TEERTHA

The 6th great Surya teertha is Khakholkaditya. This teertha is closely associated with the story of Kadru & Vinata, mother of Nagas & Garuda. Its where Kadru tricks Vinata into thinking the color of Surya's horse, Uchchaihshravas was not pure white in colour.

Kadru instructs her snake children to camouflage Surya's horse (especially its tail) in order to make it look discoloured. Thus Vinata loses the bet & is forced to serve under Kadru as a slave. (This is very popular story told to many of us during childhood)

Why Vinata was destined to serve as a slave under kadru? We'll see later during the description of the next Surya Temple, i.e. Arunaditya. Vinata in order to rid of her paapa performs penance to Surya, who grants her the boon to destroy all paapa.

Khakholkaditya also came to be known as Vinataditya. The below sholkas mention that merely by the sight of Vinataditya, they are freed from all paapa. That one attains whatever they think of. They also instantaneously become free from any illness.

Khakholaditya

7) ARUNADITYA TEERTHA

The 7th great Surya teertha is Arunaditya. The sthalapurana of this teertha again relates to Vinata. Eager to have a son, she breaks open her egg prematurely (800 yrs instead of a 1000). Thus was born a child who was incompletely developed from thighs downwards.

The underdeveloped child with a bright red face(Aruna) curses his mother for her hasty action of prematurely breaking open the egg & leaving him crippled.. He curses that Vinata in the future will be forced to serve as a slave under Kadru & her children.

Worried & wanting to perform Prayaschitta for her actions, Vinata asks Aruna what to do next. Aruna instructs her not to break open the next egg prematurely. That the one born from that egg will free her from enslavement. (Garuda frees his mother from enslavement eventually)

Aruna was also known by the name of Anuru because he had no thighs. He was known as Aruna because his face had become red due to anger. He went to Kashi to perform severe austerities to Surya who blessed Aruna & made him his charioteer. This is the story of Arunaditya.

Arunaditya

A closer view of Arunaditya

8) VRIDDHADITYA TEERTHA

The 8th great Surya teertha is Vrddhaditya. The temple is located to the south of Kashi Vishalakshi temple. There once was a old Rishi by the name Harita who was deeply into performing penance. As a result of old age, it was increasingly becoming difficult for him to do so

In order to perform penance properly, Rishi Harita requests Surya to grant him back his youth. Surya obliges. The rishi is happy & performs a fierce penance again. Since then this teertha came to be known as Vrddhaditya, who is the destroyer of old age, misery & ailments.

Vriddhaditya

Remnants of the original Vriddhaditya Temple

9) KESHAVADITYA TEERTHA

The next great Surya teertha is Keshavaditya. Once Adi Keshava Vishnu was seen by Surya worshiping a Shiva-linga. On inquiry by Surya, Vishnu explains the significance of Shiva worship at Kashi. In a series of shlokas, Keshava praises Shiva to the hilt.

On hearing Vishnu's words, Surya creates a Spatika (crystal) linga. Since then this particular teertha came to be known as Keshavaditya, since Surya chose Keshava as his guru. By having a darshana of Keshavaditya, one acquires highest wisdom.

Keshavaditya Temple entrance

Keshavaditya

10) VIMALADITYA TEERTHA

The 10th great Surya teertha is Vimaladitya. It is here that a Kshatriya by the name Vimala was cured of his all his health ailments after performing a series of Vratas. Since then the teertha came to be known as Vimaladitya. A darshana here will cure one of all ailments.

Vimaladitya

11) GANGADITYA TEERTHA

The 11th great Surya teertha is called Gangaditya. Surya positioned himself at this spot in order to welcome Ganga as she was being brought down to Bhoolokha by the great Bhagiratha. It is said one who has darshana of Gangaditya never falls ill. Surya is very fond of Ganga.

Gangaditya Surya

View of river Ganga from the Temple

12) YAMADITYA TEERTHA

The 12th great Surya teertha is Yamaditya. It is said one becomes free of all indebtedness to the ancestors by offering Tarpanam to Pitrs on a Mangalavara, Chaturdashi having Bharani nakshatra. It is also said a darshana of Yamaditya will keep anyone away from Yamaloka.

Yamaditya

The above are the 12 most significant Surya teerthas in Kashi. Skandha also says there are more Sun temples like Guhyakarka installed by devotees of Surya. Just by listening to the origin of these Sun Temples of Kashi, a person does NOT fall into Naraka.

All the information on the 12 Sun Temples of Kashi are spread over 7 Adhyayas of both the Purvardha & Uttarardha bhaga of the Kashi Khanda in the Skandapuranam. I've tried to squeeze as much relevant info into this post as possible.

Skanda says by listening to these Adhyayas explaining the 12 Adityas & by narrating them to others, a person accumulates maha punya & so does the listener.

As we can see all the original Murthis have been lost to brutal islamic invasions. What remains is a mere shadow of what once were magnificent Temples. It is to the credit of the people of Kashi, especially the Brahmanas who attend & serve to these deities to have kept these timeless Temples in the civilizational memory of our people alive.

Let Suryanarayana bless us all with strength & might to reclaim & restore all his Temples at Kashi & all of Bharat.

Reference

Skandapuranam by Nag Publishers.

http://pawanpath.up.gov.in/