Dwadasha Aditya Yatra

The Dwadasha Aditya are 12 manifestations of Lord Surya, one for each solar month (Chaitra through Phalguna), each governing a specific astrological-spiritual function. In Vedic tradition the 12 Adityas are Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, Varuna, Daksha, Amsha, Tvashta, Savitr, Pushan, Shakra, Vivasvan, and Vishnu (as the cosmic Surya). The most accessible Dwadasha Aditya circuit is concentrated within Kashi (Varanasi), where 12 ancient Surya temples — Lolarka Aditya (Assi), Uttararka Aditya (Bakaria Kund), Sambaditya, Drupadaditya, Mayukhaditya, Khakholkaditya, Arunaditya, Vimaladitya, Yamaaditya, Gangaaditya, Vriddhaditya, and Kesavaaditya — form a compact 1-2 day walking pilgrimage. The full pan-Indian Dwadasha Aditya circuit includes Konark (Odisha), Modhera (Gujarat), Martand (Kashmir), Suryanar Koil (Tamil Nadu), and others — taking 15-20 days. Devotees believe completing all 12 grants the merit of 12 full Surya Yajnas and balances any Sun-related dosha in the birth chart.