7 Must-Visit Sun Temples in India Details
India is full of sun temples or sun temples. According to ancient texts and scriptures, Hindus refer to the sun as a treasure house of infinite energy. In our country, the sun god is called Aditya or Surya. Sun Temples are basically buildings and structures used for spiritual and religious activities related to the Sun God. Sacrifices aimed at protecting the sun were also made in these buildings. In addition to India, Japan, China, Egypt, Peru and other places also have sun temples. In India, there are also many such temple ruins. Some of them were later excavated and new temples were built in these places. The sun god is usually depicted as seven horses on a chariot, representing the seven colors of the rainbow.
The earliest known temple of the sun is located in a cave, where paintings of the sun have been found on the walls of the cave. The most famous sun temple in the world is Konark in Odisha which is also a World Heritage Site. Some of these ancient temples were destroyed by Islamic invasions, but their ruins continue to amaze the world with many secrets being revealed every day. Check out these amazing Surya temples in India.
List of Historic Sun Temples in India:
These Surya Mandirs in India attract a large number of tourists and devotees from all over the world.
Contents of the table:
- The Brahmin Temple in Unao.
- Sun Temple in Surya Prahar.
- Near Suryanar Temple in Kumbakonam.
- Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Ara Sawali.
- Dakshinaarka Temple in Gaya.
- Surya Mandir Konark (Sun Temple Odisha).
- Sun Temple in Modhera.
1. The Brahmin Temple in Unao:
This temple is located in a place called Unau in Madhya Pradesh. It attracts devout believers from all over India to visit, and the surrounding area is also a famous tourist destination. This well-visited temple is known for the healing people receive from her. Some people are relieved from blindness, skin diseases, etc. The highlight of the temple is the statue of the god placed on a brick platform, wrapped in a black plate. Twenty-one triangles are engraved on the statue, representing the 21 phases of the sun.
- address: Unao, Datiya District, Madhya Pradesh
- time: 5 am to 9 pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: 20 minutes from Datia train station
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Navarathri and Sunday
- Other attractions: A river near the temple believed to have medicinal properties
2. The Sun Temple of Surya Prahar:
This sun temple is located in Surya Prahar, Assam. The temple is located on a hill and is a popular religious place for the locals. The main attraction of this temple is the circular stele made of stone that displays many images of the sun god. According to ancient Sanskrit texts, there are actually 12 different Aditya or sun gods. Located on the banks of the Brahma Putra River, it is one of the most famous sun temple sites in East India.
- address: Bhatiapara, Assam 783101
- time: 10am to 5pm (closed on Fridays)
- Dress Code: no dress code
- About. Visiting time: 1 full day
- how can I get there: 12 km from Goalpura where you can hire a taxi
- Temple website: http://srisuryapahar.com/historical.html
- Best time to visit: All holidays and Sundays
- Other attractions: A museum displaying antique stone carvings
3. Suryanar Temple near Kumbakonam:
Suryanaar Temple is located near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. This popular temple embodies the magnificent Surya deity. This temple introduces visitors to the different celestial bodies in the universe. Built in the Dravidian style, this temple is one of the most beautiful and well-structured places of worship in India. The idol of Surya Narayana is standing, with his two wives, Usha and Jaya, on either side.
- address: Thirumangalakudi PO, Thanjavur DT, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Tamil Nadu 612102
- time: 6am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 8pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- how can I get there: 15 km from Kumbakonam Railway Station
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: First Sunday with Rath Saptami and Aavani and Kartikai
- Other attractions: Sub-shrines of 8 planetary gods.
see more: The most beautiful Hindu temples in India
4. Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Ara Sawali:
This sun temple is located in Arasaveli, Andhra Pradesh, the sun god in this temple is in a well maintained state. This temple was built by a Kalinga king in the 7th century. In the temple, there is a tall black granite image holding a lotus bud, which is the real worship image of the sun god worshiper. According to legend, the sage Kassapa placed an image of Surya Narayana in this temple. Every Sunday is an important day for Arasavilli Surya Devalayam, many devotees come to pray.
- address: Arasaveli, Sri Kauran, Andhra Pradesh 532001
- time: 6am – 12.30pm and 3:30pm – 8pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- how can I get there: 1 kilometer from Arazavali Village
- Temple website: https://www.arasavallisungod.org/
- Best time to visit:Rath Saptami, Kalyanotsavam and all important festivals
- Other attractions: Temple provides free food all year round for worshippers to enjoy
5. Dakshinaarka Temple in Gaya:
In Gaya, Bihar, there is a famous Surya Bhagwan Temple in India, known by the name of Dakshnaka Temple. At this temple, worshippers make offerings to their ancestors on the Dakshina Maanas tank located in front of the temple. In this temple you will find many ancient images of the sun god that you will not find anywhere else. The temple is also of high historical significance as it was built in the 13th century under the supervision of a king who was a devout worshiper of the sun god. The temple is also one of the oldest and most visited religious sites in Bihar.
- address: Gaya, Bihar
- time: 9:00am to 6:00pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 2 hours
- how can I get there: You can take a taxi from Gaya train station
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Rath Saptami and all important festivals
- Other attractions: temple building
6. Surya Mandir Konark (Sun Temple Odisha):
The Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha is known as the Konark Sun Temple. Konark Surya Mandir was built in the 13th century. People come to visit this temple from all over the world to observe the magnificent architecture of Konark Sun Temple. It is also known as the Black Pagoda Temple by the locals. According to the history of Konark temples, the current structure was built by Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganges dynasty and is one of the few Hindu temples whose floor plans and blueprints written in Sanskrit are still well preserved. The entire temple is built to resemble a 100-foot chariot, all carved from sandstone. The temple is now in ruins and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Konark temple images are also the most downloaded Hindu temple images in the world.
- Address: KOnak, Odisha 752111
- time: 6am to 8pm
- Dress Code: no dress code
- About. Visiting time: 2 hours
- how can I get there: 35 km from Puri, 64 km from Bhubaneswar Airport
- Temple website: http://www.konark.nic.in/
- Best time to visit: There is no specific date to visit this temple as it has no idols to worship
- Other attractions: Great place to take photos off campus and buy local artifacts. You can also take home some postcard-sized photos of the Konark Temple as souvenirs.
see more: The most important Shiva temple in India
7. The Sun Temple of Modhera:
This sun temple is located in Modra, Gujarat and was built in 1026. The temple is designed in such a way that the sun’s rays can properly enter the temple and fall directly on the image of Surya. The temple is now without worship and is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple has three main areas – Gudhamandapa, Sabhamandapa and Kunda. Modhera Sun Temple is one of the famous Surya mandir in India. Images of the Sun Temple of Modhera are popular with artists and photographers.
- address: At Becharaji Highway, Modhera, Gujarat 384212
- time: 7am to 6pm
- Dress Code: no dress code
- About. Visiting time: 2 hours
- how can I get there:16 km from Modhera Railway Station and 102 km from Ahmedabad Airport
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit:October to March
- Other attractions: Surya Kund, a large tank with steps
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
1. What are the other important sun temples in India?
Apart from the temples listed in the article, other important sun temples in India are the Surya Temple in Martan, the Sun Temple in Gwalior and the Surya Bhagavan Temple in Ranchi. These are ancient temples, and besides being the pilgrimage centers of India, they are also famous tourist attractions.
2. What is the importance of the Vedas of the sun god?
According to Hindu mythology, Surya bhagwan or sun god is the visible form of God in Kalyug, who we see and worship with ordinary eyes every day. He is a symbol of power, positivity, health and prosperity. The sun god is also known to heal the sick who often worship him to get rid of disease.
see more: Explore the oldest temple in India
3. Besides architecture, what else is Konark Sun Temple famous for?
Konark Sun Temple is one of the iconic buildings in India. In addition to its fantastic architecture, the temple also hosts the annual Konark Festival in December. This is an ideal time to plan a visit to the temple as you can witness this spectacular event, where famous artists from all over the country come to showcase their art. The main dances are Bharat, Odisi and Kathak.
The sun god or Surya Bhagwan, although associated with Hinduism, is revered in many other religions such as Jainism, Buddhism, etc. The energy of the sun is unstoppable and infinite. It is impossible to imagine a world without the sun, as he is responsible for all creation. This is why the sun is worshipped to honor and thank him for his blessings on mankind. These stunning sun temples make Indians proud not only for their religious importance but also for their magnificent architecture that still leaves us in awe even today! So guys, if you’ve been to any of these temples, please let us know your feedback. Also, if you’d like to share any important points to help other tourists, please let us know. May your life be full of sunshine!