Lolark Shashthi: The Kashi Festival for Progeny & the Lolark Kund

What is Lolark Shashthi?

Lolark Shashthi falls on the sixth day (Shashthi) of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August–September). It is the great festival of Lolark Aditya — 'the trembling sun' — one of the twelve ancient Aditya (Sun) shrines of Kashi, located at Lolark Kund in Bhadaini.

The kund is a dramatic stepped well descending some fifty feet, believed to be one of the oldest sacred sites of Varanasi, mentioned in the Kashi Khanda.

Why couples come to Lolark Kund

Lolark Aditya is worshipped above all for santan prapti — the blessing of progeny. On Lolark Shashthi, couples bathe together in the kund, offer their garments, and take a sankalp for the gift of a child. Local tradition holds that couples blessed with a child return to offer thanks with the child at the same kund.

Surya puja at Lolark — including for devotees abroad

Beyond the annual festival, Surya Puja at Lolark can be commissioned year-round: Aditya Hridaya Stotra path, Surya mantra jaap, and arghya offered in the devotee's name and gotra. Couples overseas can have the full sankalp taken on their behalf by Kashi priests, witnessed over live video.