Worship or worship of Sun God is an important tradition in Hindu religion. Surya is considered a direct deity and his worship leads to spiritual development, good health, success and clear thinking. By worshiping the Sun, a person can make his life the best. Surya worship is most important to get the highest position in the field of education. Surya worship has been performed regularly every day and especially on Sundays. Apart from this, the main festivals include Chhath Puja on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, Bada Sunday on the last Sunday of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha and Rath Saptami on Magh Shukla Sattami. Chhath Puja is an important festival lasting four days, which is celebrated from Chaturthi to Saptami of Kartik Shukla Paksha. – Acharya Dr. Radheshyam Dwivedi.
Major Sun Temples of India :-
There is mainly mention of twenty sun temples in India. These temples are part of the rich cultural and religious heritage of India and hold important places for the worship of Sun God, which are as follows –
1.Ulark Sun Temple, Patna
Ulark Sun Temple is a famous Sun Temple located near Dulhinbazar block in Patna district of Bihar. It is considered one of the 12 famous Sun temples of the country. It is considered to be the third largest Surya Arch site of Lord Bhaskar.
2.Konark Sun Temple
Konark Sun Temple is located on the sea coast in Puri district of Odisha, about 35 kilometers (22 mi) north-east of Puri city. This temple was built by King Narasimhadev in the 13th century and is an excellent example of the medieval architecture of India.
3. Modera Sun Temple
Sun Temple of Modhera, an ancient temple located in Mehsana district of Gujarat, is famous for its unique architecture and intricate carvings. This temple was built in the 11th century during the reign of King Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty.
4. Katarmal Sun Temple (Uttarakhand)
This temple was built in the 9th century and is one of the most important Sun Temples of Uttarakhand, an ancient Sun Temple located in Almora district of Uttarakhand. This temple has the distinction of being the only Sun temple in the Kumaon region. It is also known as ‘Baraditya Sun Temple’. This temple is situated at an altitude of 2,116 meters and is considered to be older than the Sun Temple of Konark.
5.Ranakpur Sun Temple (Rajasthan)
This temple was built in the 15th century and is famous for its intricate carvings and 1444 pillars.
6.Surya Pahar Temple (Assam)
This temple is located in Goalpara district of Assam.
7.Sun Temple, Pratapgarh (Uttar Pradesh)
This temple is located in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.
8. Dakshinark Sun Temple (Bihar)
This temple is situated in Gaya district of Bihar.
9.Dev Surya Temple (Bihar)
This temple is located in Aurangabad district of Bihar.
10.Martand Sun Temple (Kashmir)
This temple was built by King Lalitaditya Muktapida in the 8th century and is one of the oldest Sun temples in Kashmir.
11.Aungari Sun Temple (Bihar)
This temple is located in Nalanda district of Bihar.
12.Belarksurya Temple
Belaur Sun Temple is an ancient Sun Temple located on the western and southern edge of Belaur village in Bhojpur district of Bihar. It was constructed by Raja Suba. Later, Raja Suba, who constructed a total of 52 pokharas (ponds) in Belaur village, came to be known as ‘Raja Bawan Suba’. This Sun Temple is situated in the middle of one of the 52 ponds built by the king.
13.Sun Temple, Handia
Sun Temple at Handia, also known as Surya Narayan Dham Temple. It is situated in Nardiganj block of Nawada district of Bihar. This temple dates back to the Dwapar era and is believed to have been built by Lord Krishna’s son Samb. This temple is famous for curing leprosy and it is believed that bathing in the water of the pond located near the temple cures leprosy.
14.Sun Temple, Gaya
Sun Temple at Gaya, popularly known as Dev Surya Temple, is located in Aurangabad district of Bihar. This temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and is especially famous during Chhath Puja.
15.Sun Temple, Mahoba
The Sun Temple in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh is situated on the west side of Rahila Sagar. This temple was built by Chandela ruler Rahil Dev Varman by digging a pond which is known as Rahil Sagar. It was built in the ninth century during 890 to 910 AD. The architecture of this temple is quite beautiful. This temple was heavily damaged by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1203.
16.Sun Temple of Rahali, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
Rahli Sun Temple is an ancient temple located in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh. This temple is situated on the banks of Sunar River and has the distinction of being the only Sun temple in the country situated on the Tropic of Cancer. Built by the Chandela kings in the ninth century, this temple holds historical and religious significance.
17.Sun Temple, Jhalawar
Sun Temple of Jhalawar, also known as Sun Temple of Jhalrapatan. Located in Jhalrapatan city of Jhalawar district of Rajasthan. This temple is famous for its unique architecture and religious importance.
18.Sun Temple, Ranchi
It is situated on a hilltop on NH-43 (Ranchi-Tata Road), about 40 km (25 mi) from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. The temple is constructed in the form of a huge chariot, with eighteen beautifully designed wheels and seven natural horses. The temple also houses many other deities including Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha.
19. Sun Temple, Kandaha
Sun Temple located in Kandaha village is in Pastwar Panchayat of Mahishi block of Saharsa district. It is an important religious and historical site, about 16 kilometers from Saharsa district headquarters. In this temple, the idol of Sun God riding on a chariot of seven horses is built on a granite slab.
20. Sun Temple, Nirath, Himachal Pradesh
This is an ancient and unique Sun Temple, which is located in North India. This temple is situated on the left bank of Sutlej River and is 18 kilometers from Rampur. This temple is built in Nagara style and is dedicated to Lord Surya Dev (Surya) and his consort Chhaya.
Author Introduction,Acharya Dr Radheshyam Dwivedi
,Author Indian archeology survey, In Assistant Library And information officer Post From retired happened Are.