CHAPTER 71
Durga confronts the asura
The asura Durga displaces the gods. Shiva calls on the Goddess, who sends Kalaratri to confront him before the battle.
Read the chapterSKANDA PURANA · READING GUIDE
The Kashi Khanda
Read the stories behind Kashi’s temples, ghats, and pilgrimage routes. Each entry pairs an English chapter translation with places in the City Guide.
SELECTED CHAPTERS
Follow a story into the city
The chapter notes paraphrase G. V. Tagare’s English translation on Wisdom Library. The linked place pages give the modern shrine locations, access notes, and map references.
CHAPTER 72
Durga’s victory and Kashi’s guardians
After Durga’s victory, the chapter connects her worship with Durga Kund and autumn Navaratri. It also names Shaktis and eight Bhairavas who guard Kashi.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 26
The sacred pool at Manikarnika
The narrative puts Manikarnika at the centre of Kashi’s sacred geography, linking the pool to Vishnu and Shiva.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 31
Bhairava and the fallen skull
Bhairava journeys with Brahma’s skull as an act of penance. It falls from his hand at Kashi, giving Kapalamochana its place in the story.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 32
Harikesha becomes Dandapani
Harikesha’s devotion in Shiva’s grove leads to his appointment as Kashi’s staff-bearing guardian.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 45
The sixty-four Yoginis arrive
Shiva sends the Yoginis to Kashi during King Divodasa’s reign. They choose to stay, and the chapter names the members of the group.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 46
Lolark and the twelve Adityas
The Sun comes to Kashi and takes twelve forms there. The text places Lolark at the southern edge of sacred Kashi near the Asi–Ganga confluence.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 48
Samba and the solar shrine
The story connects Samba, son of Krishna, with the worship of Surya. The solar form Sambaditya preserves his name.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 52
The ten sacrifices of Dashashwamedh
Brahma comes to Kashi in the story of Divodasa and performs ten horse sacrifices. The episode gives Dashashwamedh its name.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 54
The origin of Pishach Mochan
Kapardin installs a Shiva linga and digs the pool called Vimalodaka. The story of release from a pishacha state gives the tirtha its better-known name.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 57
Dhundhi and the fifty-six Vinayaks
The account links Dhundhi with King Divodasa and sets out seven groups of eight Ganesh forms. It gives the Chappan Vinayak pilgrimage its textual framework.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 59
Five rivers at Panchganga
The text explains Panchanada as a sacred confluence of five streams. The account sets the scene for the story of Bindu Madhav.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 60
Agnibindu and Bindu Madhav
Vishnu meets the sage Agnibindu at Panchanada and establishes his presence there as Bindu Madhav.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 61
Vishnu’s sacred places in Kashi
Bindu Madhav tells Agnibindu how different forms of Vishnu are associated with tirthas, including Adi Keshava, Narada Keshava, and Prayaga Madhava.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 77
Kedar in Kashi and the Himalayas
Vasishtha’s pilgrimage and his vow of annual worship connect the Himalayan Kedar with the manifestation of Kedar in Kashi.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 83
Vireshwar and the riverfront tirthas
The chapter describes the manifestation of Vireshwar and names a series of sacred places along the river, including Ganga Keshava.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 84
From Rajghat to Manikarnika
The chapter follows sacred places from the Varuna–Ganga confluence to Manikarnika, pairing river landmarks with worship at nearby shrines.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 99
The greatness of Vishveshvara
The closing chapters return to Shiva as Vishveshvara, a name of Vishwanath, and explain his central place in Kashi.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 100A
The five-tirtha pilgrimage
The route begins with rites at Chakrapushkarini and describes a series of observances at riverfront tirthas and shrines.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 100E
The eleven-shrine Rudra pilgrimage
The passage opens at Agnidhra’s tank and lists the lingas of the Ekadashayatani yatra. Local names and route identifications can vary.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 100F
The Gauri pilgrimage
The passage pairs worship of the Gauris with rites at particular waters. It names Vishalakshi, Lalita, Bhavani, Mangala, and Mahalakshmi among its stops.
Read the chapterCHAPTER 100G
Worship days in Kashi
The pilgrimage instructions give traditional days and lunar observances for Ganesh, Bhairava, the Sun, and Chandi.
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