Uddandamunda, Uddaṇḍamuṇḍa: 1 definition

Introduction:

Uddandamunda means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Uddandamunda in Purana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Skanda-purana

Uddaṇḍamuṇḍa (उद्दण्डमुण्ड, “a form of snake-head”) refers to one of the fifty-six vināyakas located at Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), and forms part of a sacred pilgrimage (yātrā), described in the Kāśīkhaṇḍa (Skanda-purāṇa 4.2.57). He is also known as Uddaṇḍamuṇḍavināyaka, Uddaṇḍamuṇḍagaṇeśa and Uddaṇḍamuṇḍavighneśa. These fifty-six vināyakas are positioned at the eight cardinal points in seven concentric circles (8x7). They center around a deity named Ḍhuṇḍhirāja (or Ḍhuṇḍhi-vināyaka) positioned near the Viśvanātha temple, which lies at the heart of Kāśī, near the Gaṅges. This arrangement symbolises the interconnecting relationship of the macrocosmos, the mesocosmos and the microcosmos.

Uddaṇḍamuṇḍa is positioned in the Eastern corner of the fourth circle of the kāśī-maṇḍala. According to Rana Singh (source), his shrine is located at “Trilochan Temple, courtyard, A 2 / 80”. Worshippers of Uddaṇḍamuṇḍa will benefit from his quality, which is defined as “the giver of fearlessness from snakes”. His coordinates are: Lat. 25.19162, Lon. 83.01359 (or, 25°11'29.8"N, 83°00'48.9"E) (Google maps)

Uddaṇḍamuṇḍa, and the other vināyakas, are described in the Skandapurāṇa (the largest of the eighteen mahāpurāṇas). This book narrates the details and legends surrounding numerous holy pilgrimages (tīrtha-māhātmya) throughout India. It is composed of over 81,000 metrical verses with the core text dating from the before the 4th-century CE.

Purana book cover
context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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