Lord Surya Hindu Sun God

Lord Surya or the Sun God is the chief solar deity who is the son of Kasyapa and one of his wives, Aditi. Depicted as a red man with three eyes and four arms, he rides a chariot drawn by Seven Horses which represent the seven colors of the rainbow or the seven chakras. In Hindu religion, Surya is the visible form of God that one can see every day. In addition, Shaivites and Vaishnavas regard Surya as an aspect of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, respectively. Lord Surya is also one of the nine Navagrahas and is regarded as the the Lord of Grahas. Other popular names of Surya include Vivasvat, Ravi, Aditya, Pusha, Divakar, Savita, Arka, Mitra, Bhanu, Bhaskar, and Grahapati. Sunday is believed to be auspicious to him.

Important Associations

Consorts – Saranyu, Ragyi, Prabha, and Chhaya
Mount – Chariot drawn by Seven White Horses
Sons - Lord Shani, Lord Yama (God of Death), and Karna (Mahabharatha fame)

Worship of Surya

Apart from the Surya Gayatri Mantra, another hymn associated with the Sun God is the Aditya Hridayam Stotra which was recited by the great Sage Agastya to Lord Ram on the battlefield before fighting with Ravana. Surya Ashtakam Mantra and Surya Ashtottara Shatanamavali are other popular mantras dedicated to Lord Surya.

Sun Temples in India

The most renowned temple for the Sun God is the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Konark Sun Temple in Orissa. Other famous Surya Temples in India are

1) Biranchi Khetra (Biranchi Narayan Temple) in Buguda, Orissa
2) Sun Temple in Modhera, Gujarat
3) Martand Sun Temple in Jammu and Kashmir near Almora in Uttarakhand
4) Dakshinaarka Temple in Gaya, Bihar
5) Punark and Deo Barunark in Bihar

6) Bhramanya Dev Temple at Unao in Madhya Pradesh
7) Balaji Sun Temple in Unao, Madhya Pradesh
8) Sun Temple at Sri Surya Pahar in Assam
9) Surya Narayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli Andhra Pradesh
10) Suryanar Temple at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu

11) Adityapuram Surya Temple in Kottayam, Kerala
12) Eramathoor Soorya Temple in Mannar, Kerala
13) Sree Suryanarayan Temple in Kadirur Kannur Kerala

Lord Surya Associations

Colors – Copper or Red
Metals – Gold or Brass
Gemstone – Ruby
Direction – East and West
Season – Summer
Flower – Lotus
Food Grain – Wheat

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