Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 87
सर्वे विभूतिधवला सर्वेप्येक कपर्द्दिनः । समस्ते नगरे तस्य वसंत्येवंविधा गणाः
sarve vibhūtidhavalā sarvepyeka kaparddinaḥ | samaste nagare tasya vasaṃtyevaṃvidhā gaṇāḥ
அனைவரும் திருநீறால் வெண்மையடைந்தவர்கள்; அனைவரும் ஒரே கபர்தம் (ஜடைக் கொத்து) உடையவர்கள். அவனுடைய முழு நகரிலும் இப்படிப்பட்ட கணங்கள் வாழ்கின்றனர்.
Skanda (deduced, Kāśīkhaṇḍa context)
Tirtha: Kailāsa-purī / Śiva-gaṇa-nagara (referential)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A panoramic ‘city of gaṇas’: countless ash-white figures with single matted hair-coils, rudrākṣa, skull-bowls; a disciplined, uniform ascetic populace under Śiva’s unseen sovereignty.
FAQs
Kāśī is portrayed as pervaded by Śiva’s presence through his gaṇas; sacred ash symbolizes purity, impermanence, and liberation-minded living.
Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), envisioned as Śiva’s own city filled with his attendants.
No direct prescription, but vibhūti (sacred ash) is highlighted as a prominent Śaiva emblem.