Sun Temple

Surya, also known as Aditya, was a prominent god in ancient Hinduism, playing a role in Mahabharata as the father of Karana. Several temples have been built to worship this source and sustainer of all life on Earth, including shrines in temples dedicated to Shiva. Unlike other ancient civilizations, Indian Sun temples still attract faith, with pilgrims visiting them and bathing in sacred tanks believed to cure diseases like leprosy, blindness, and skin diseases. Sundays are the special day for worship, making these temples more crowded than usual. India has many temples dedicated to the god of sun: Konark Sun Temple in Orissa, Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat and Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir.

Surya, or the Sun, is a vital aspect of our lives, as it sustains life and is considered the all-powerful, radiant, and inexhaustible source of power. Sun worship is as ancient as the Sun, with references to it in the Puranas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. Astrologer Varahmirhira explained the intricate ceremony involved in installing the Sun icon. Iran is believed to have been the center of Sun worship, with Magha priests traveling to India for ceremonies related to the Sun. Many temples have smaller shrines for the Sun God or bear the name Surya, with many beliefs and legends associated with the Sun and its worship.

The most famous Sun temple in India is in Konark, Odisha. It is a 13th-century stone temple dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya. Built by Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty to celebrate his military victory over Muslim forces in Bengal, as he intended to amplify his rule as if appointed by the gods. It has now been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A sun temple, also known as a solar temple, is a structure devoted to the sun god that is used for religious or spiritual practices including prayer and sacrifice. These temples can be found all throughout the world, including in Peru, China, Egypt, Japan, and India. They were constructed by a variety of diverse cultures. A number of the temples are classified as World Heritage Sites, either separately or in conjunction with other sites like Konark. Some of the other temples are in ruins and are being excavated, preserved, or restored.

1. Modhera Sun Temple
   • The Modhera Sun Temple is in the Gujarati village of Modhera, Mehsana district, that honors the solar deity Surya.
   • The Modhera Sun Temple is located next to the Pushpavati River.
   • During the reign of Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty, it was constructed sometime after 1026–1027 CE.
   • It has three components: Kunḍa is the reservoir; Sabhamanḍapa is the assembly hall; and Gūḍhamanḍapa is the shrine hall.
   • The pillars and exterior of the halls are beautifully carved. There are several tiny shrines and stairs leading to the bottom of the reservoir.
   • It is believed that the temple was constructed to honor Bhima I's defense of Modhera against Mahmud Ghazni.
   • The temple complex was constructed in the Solanki, or Maru-Gurjara, architectural style.
   • The enormous temple complex and the finely sculpted kund are magnificent examples of the masonry of the Solanki period, sometimes called Gujarat's Golden Age.
   • The Archaeological Survey of India looks after the temple, which is recognized as a Monument of National Importance.
   • In December 2022, it was included on the preliminary list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
   • Modhera dance festival
     • After the Uttarayan festival, the Gujarat Tourism Corporation hosts the annual Uttarardha Mahotsav, a three-day dance event, at the temple in the third week of January.
     • The aim is to showcase traditional dance genres in an environment akin to their original presentation.


2. Konark Sun Temple:
   • Location: It's in the Puri district of Odisha, on the seashore.
   • In 1244, Eastern Ganga Dynasty King Narasimha Deva I constructed it.
   • UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 1984.
   • Features:
     • Dedicated to the Hindu god Surya, the temple is also known as the Surya Devalaya.
     • The main entrance, Gajasimha, is named after two massive stone lions crushing elephants.
     • The Natya Mandapa (dancing hall) is carved with wide steps flanked by horses, while the Jagamohan (assembly hall) is carved with life-like horses straining at their reins.
     • The temple has three impressive carvings of the Sun God at strategic locations to catch the sun at dawn, noon, and sunset. The carvings at the base and on its walls chronicle everyday activities.
     • The Konark Sun Temple is visited by lakhs every year and the annual Konark Festival is famed for its cultural importance.
     • the temple was used for prayers only for a short period, and in the 17th century, the presiding deity may have been moved to Jagannath Temple in Puri.
     • It is a quintessential illustration of Kalinga or Odisha architecture.
     • The temple complex is shaped like a 100-foot-tall solar chariot with 24 wheels drawn by six stone-carved horses.
     • It faces eastward so that the main entrance is illuminated by the first light of dawn.
     • The wheels of the temple have solar dials/ clocks that allow for minute-by-minute accuracy of time.
     • There are pictures of animals, flora, soldiers on horses, and other intriguing structures all around the base of the temple.
     • The walls and dome of the temple are decorated with beautiful carvings of sensual creatures.
     • Because of its black color, the temple, which is made of Khondalite rocks, is sometimes referred to as "BLACK PAGODA."
     • Hindus continue to worship at this temple today, especially during the Chandrabhaga Festival, which takes place every year in February.
       • About Chandrabhaga Festival: For the people of Odisha, the Chandrabhaga Mela is a much anticipated celebration. It is also known as the Magha Saptami Mela since it is observed on the seventh day of the month of Magha. Typically, it takes place in February.
   
   

   Kalinga Architecture

   • About:
     • The architectural styles of Indian temples can be broadly classified into four categories: Nagara, Vesara, Dravida, and Gadag.
     • However, because of its distinctive depictions, the temple architecture of Odisha falls into a separate group known as the Kalinga style of temple building.
     • It is generally categorized under the Nagara style.
   • The Architecture:
     • A temple in Kalinga architecture is essentially composed of a tower and a hall. The hall is known as Jagmohan, and the tower as Deula.
     • The walls of the Deula and the Jagmohan are decorated with elaborate sculptures of numerous people and architectural elements.
     • The horseshoe shape, which dates back to the oldest periods and is most frequently seen, originated with the huge windows of the chaitya-grihas.
     • In Kalinga architecture, the Deula creates three different kinds of temples:
       • Rekha Deula.
       • Pidha Deula.
       • Khakhara Deula.
     • The third is mostly connected to Durga and Chamunda temples, whereas the first two are connected to Shiva, Surya (Sun), and Vishnu temples.
     • The sanctum sanctorum is housed in the Rekha and Khakhara Deulas, whereas the Pidha Deula is made up of external dancing and offering rooms.


3. Martand Sun temple, Kashmir:
   • Constructed in the eighth century CE, the Martand Sun Temple, also called Pandou Laidan, is a Hindu temple devoted to Surya, the principal solar deity in Hinduism. Another Sanskrit synonym for Surya is martand.
   • Lalitaditya Muktapida, the third Karkota Dynasty emperor, constructed it.
   • It was destroyed on Sikandar Shah Miri's orders, the Muslim monarch, and is now in ruins.
   • The temple is situated in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, five kilometers from Anantnag.
   • It was a superb example of Gandharan, Gupta, and Chinese architectural fusion.
   • The temple is listed among the monuments that are centrally protected by the ASI.
   
   

   About Karkota Dynasty

   • Early in the 7th century, the Karkota dynasty took root in Kashmir and grew to become a major force in northern India and central Asia.
   • The Karkota dynasty was founded by Durlabh Vardhana.
   • They were also Buddhists, as evidenced by the stupas, chaityas, and viharas that have been discovered among the remnants of their metropolis.


4. Katarmal Sun Temple, Uttarakhand
   • Katarmal Sun Temple in Almora is a major tourist Attraction.
   • It is the second most important Sun God temple in India, after the Konark Temple, and located 7 kilometers from Almora.
   • In the 9th century, a Katyuri Raja named Katarmalla built the Katarmal Sun Temple. The Katyuri dynasty bordered Kumaon toward the close of the medieval period.
   • Burhadita or Vraddhaditya is the main deity of the Sun temple in Katarmal.
   • There are also well-established idols of Lakshmi-Narayana and Shiva-Parvati in this temple.
   • Presumably over eight centuries old, it is well known for its elaborate sculptures.
   • Forty-five smaller shrines, each with its own architectural style, encircle the temple.
   • The temple has elaborately carved pillars and doorways, as well as a painting of Surya from the 12th century.
   • The temple is still a popular destination for worshippers of the Sun God and a major hub for pilgrimages even with its ruins.
   • The Katarmal Sun Temple is currently being cared for and protected by the Archeological Survey of India. The government is also constructing a road, which is conveniently reachable on foot by a pleasant, short stroll through the expansive deodars.


5. Dakshinarkaa temple Gaya, Bihar
   • The Puranic references to sun worship in the Magadha area, which included Gaya, indicate the temple's very old origins. The existing building was allegedly constructed in the 13th century by the South Indian emperor Prataparudra of Warangal, Andhra Pradesh.
   • Situated near the well-known Vishnupaada temple, where a purported footprint of Vishnu is kept, the Sun Temple in Gaya faces east. Surya Kunda, the tank, is located east of the temple.
   • The temple is a straightforward structure with a dome above it. The sanctum is fronted by the relatively larger sabha mandapa. The mandapa is surrounded by massive pillars that support elegant stone carvings of Shiva, Bhramaa, Vishnu, Surya and Durga.
   • Two other prominent Sun temples in Gaya are the Gayaditya temple on the Falgu River and the Uttaraka temple close to the Uttara Maanas tank.


6. Bhramanya temple, Unao, Madhya Pradesh
   • The Brahmana Dev (Baramju) Sun temple is situated in Madhya Pradesh's Unnao, close to Jhansi.
   • This temple's stone statue of the Sun God is raised on a black-plate-covered brick pedestal.
   • Twenty-one triangles, each symbolizing a different phase of the sun, have been imprinted on the shrine. This idol is covered with a brass cover.
   • The Peshwas were devotees of this shrine.
   • In addition to Sun Temple, another well-liked tourist destination in the area is Balaji Temple in Unnao.


7. Surya Prahaar temple, Assam
   • Stone-cut Shivalingas, a dozen-armed Vishnu sculpture, and the ruins of Ganesha and Hari Hara may all be seen at this old temple complex close to Goalpara, Assam.
   • There is a round table with twelve representations of the Sun God and his father in a circle.
   • Right here, in the middle, is where Kashyapa is situated. This Sun temple is one of the less well-known Sun temples in the country.


8. Suryanar Kovil Temple at Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu
   • Suryanar Kovil, also called Suryanar Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun-God Surya. It is situated in a small village near the South Indian town of Kumbakonam Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu, India.
   • Suriyanar, the Sun, along with his consorts Ushadevi and Pratyusha Devi, is the ruling god.
   • The other eight planetary deities are also honored in separate shrines within the temple. The temple is regarded as one of Tamil Nadu's nine Navagraha temples.
   • With later extensions from the Vijayanagara era, the current masonry edifice was constructed in the eleventh century under the reign of Kulottunga Choladeva (1060–1118 CE).
   • Built in the Dravidian architectural style, the temple has a granite wall encircling all of the shrines, an entrance tower, and a five-tiered rajagopuram.
   • The planetary deities are said to have been cursed by Brahma to live in the white wildflower jungle known as Vellurukku Vanam, and then blessed by Shiva to make it their dwelling place for devotees.
   • The temple schedules two annual festivals in addition to six daily rituals that take place at different times between 5:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.
   • The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of India oversees and maintains the temple.


9. Suryanarayana temple at Arasavalli, Andhra Pradesh
   • The sun god Lord Surya is worshiped in the Arasavalli Sun Temple in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. One mile east of Srikakulam, near Arasavalli Village, is where it is situated.
   • The temple is thought to have been constructed in the seventh century CE by King Devendra Varma, a renowned leader of the Kalinga Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
   • Renovations during the 18th century are mostly responsible for the current construction.
   • The temple was constructed in the Kalinga Rekha Deula architectural style, similar to the Puri Jagannath temple in Odisha.
   • This temple is regarded as one of India's earliest sun temples.
   • This temple is one of the two principal Surya temples in India that still stand (the third temple was demolished by Sikandar Shah Miri).
   • Padmapuranam states that the installation of the Surya idol at Arasavalli was done by Sage Kashyapa for the benefit of humankind. Kasyapasa Gotra is the surya's home. Another name for him is planetary King.
   • According to inscriptions on the walls, the temple was constructed during what is believed to be the 7th century, and its founder was the monarch Devendra Varma.
   • The walls also mention that in the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple underwent repairs and modifications to address some of its significant problems.
   • The Dusi family contributed a large number of these modifications.Over the ages, the temple fell into disrepair; Elamanchili Pullaji Panthulu rebuilt it in 1778 CE.
   • Over the years, the Sun Temple has played a central role in a number of local festivals, including the festival known as Ratha Saptami.

India's cultural heritage, including monuments, temples, palaces, and archaeological sites, attracts tourists due to their historical significance. Sun Temples in India are a prime example of this, requiring preservation, restoration, and promotion to attract tourists and generate revenue. However, these sites face challenges due to urbanization and population growth, including degradation, encroachment, and neglect. To protect these sites, effective conservation methods are needed. Key strategies include preserving temple structures, developing tourism infrastructure, organizing cultural programs, leveraging digital experiences, promoting through marketing campaigns, offering tour packages, exploring revenue streams, and involving local communities. Documentation and research are crucial steps in conserving heritage sites, while site management and planning require collaboration between the government, heritage groups, and local communities. Public awareness and education about heritage conservation are essential for responsible behavior. Community participation is also crucial for the success of the conservation process. India has enacted laws and regulatory bodies to protect heritage sites, such as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken a number of measures to improve the temples and reduce the effects of saline action, water logging, erosion, and vegetative intrusions. These measures include cleaning the surface using the paper pulp method, consolidating and strengthening stones where necessary, planting trees in the surrounding area to prevent wind-driven mechanical erosion, pumping sets to remove water, and periodic biocidal treatment to control vegetative intrusion. Monument conservation is an ongoing effort; Sun Temple in Konark, which is also a World Heritage Site, is in good condition since ASI maintains it on a regular basis.

In order to guarantee structural stability and stop water intrusion, ASI has only added plain stones where the original stones were absent or to fill in gaps. All conservation work is carried out in accordance with ASI's conservation policy of 2014.