When people think of Lord Ganesha, the first image that often comes to mind is Ganesh Chaturthi, grand celebrations and famous idols such as Lalbaugcha Raja. But deep inside the ancient lanes of Kashi, Ganesha appears in a very different form. The city is traditionally associated with 56 Vinayakas, a sacred network of Ganesha shrines known as the Chappan Vinayak. These shrines are arranged in seven concentric circles, creating a remarkable sacred geography around Kashi. Some are housed inside temples, while others can be found in tiny shrines and less obvious corners of the old city.
