Seven Famous Sun Temples In India | Suriyanar Temple | Konark

India is a country with lots and lots of tourist destinations that attract tourists from all over the world but beyond these attractive destinations. Our country is also home to lots and lots of architectural and cultural heritage as well. Lakhs of tourists visit these heritages every year. Among many such, some special ones are the seven famous sun temples of India. Surya temples have constructed thousands of years back were constructed by our ancestors and holds special significance. These sun temples are dedicated to the Lord Sun, who is worshiped by every Indian every day.

Bhramanya dev temple – Unao – Madhya Pradesh

Famous sun temple at Unao is dedicated to Surya dev whose idol was dug from the ground as per the dream of the king who ruled that place centuries ago. This temple is famous for a belief to cure all kind of skin aliments who so ever visits the temple. This temple is also famous for the idol itself as it is wrapped with 21 triangles representing all the 21 phases of the sun.

• Address: Unao, Datia District, Madhya Pradesh
• Timings: 5 AM to 9 PM
• Dress Code: Traditional wear
• Approx. Visit Duration: 1-2 Hours
• How To Reach: 20 mins from Datia Railway station
• Temple Website: N/A
• Best Time To Visit: Navarathri and Sundays

Sun Temple – Surya Prahar – Assam

This sun temple is located on a hill in Surya Prahar Assam and is a house of the special idol and more than 10,0000 shiva lingams. This is a famous tourist destination. As being said the place Surya Prahar was designed by Lord Brahma himself and was known as Pragjyotisha at that time. The main attraction here is four and a half feet diameter circular tablet. This tablet is full of en carved images of god and all our celestial bodies.

• Address: Bhatiapara, Assam 783101
• Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Fridays)
• Dress Code: No Dress Code
• Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Full Day
• How To Reach: 12 KM from Goalpura, from where you can hire a taxi
• Temple Website: http://srisuryapahar.com/historical.html
• Best Time To Visit: All Festivals and Sundays

Suryanar Kovil – Kumbakonam – Tamilnadu

Dating back to the Chola period Suriyanar temple was built by the Chola kings. This is the only temple where God Suryanarayana is being worshiped. The idol of God is present with other celestial bodies.

One specialty of this temple is that the lord Brihaspati is seen worshiping Lord Suryanarayana by sitting in front of him. It’s a belief prevalent here that whosoever visits this temple and performs the puja as per the rules he gets rid of all Shani side effects and achieves success in his/her life.

• Address: Thirumangalakudi P.O, Thanjavur D.T, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Tamil Nadu 612102
• Timings: 6 AM – 12.30 PM and 4 PM – 8 PM
• Dress Code: Traditional Wear
• Approx. Visit Duration: 30 Mins To 1 Hour
• How To Reach: 15 KM From Kumbakonam Railway station
• Temple Website: N/A
• Best Time To Visit: Rath Saptami and the first Sundays of Aavani and Kartika.

Suryanarayana Swamy Temple – Arasavilli – Andhra Pradesh

Dating back to the 7th century this temple was built by Kalinga and the king himself and the idol was installed by the sage Kashyapa. The image of the Lord Suryanarayan Swamy is inscribed here on a tall granite piece. Surya devalayam is uniquely designed in such a way that the sunray touches the feet of the idol twice a year. This rare incident occurs in March when the sun moves from “Uttarayan” to “Dakshinayan” and again in October when the sun moves from “Dakshinayan” to “Uttarayan.”  

• Address: Arasavilli, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh 532001
• Timings: 6 AM – 12.30 PM and 3:30 PM – 8 PM
• Dress Code: Traditional Wear
• Approx. Visit Duration: 30 Mins To 1 Hour
• How To Reach: 1 KM From Arasavalli Village
• Temple Website: https://www.arasavallisungod.org/
• Best Time To Visit: Rath Saptami festival, Kalyanotsavam and all-important festivals

Konark Sun Temple – Odisha

It is one of the most famous temples in India which is dedicated to Lord Surya. It’s in the Konark district of Odisha and is famous for its architectural excellence. This temple was built in the 13th century and to date,, people are mesmerized by its scenic beauty and scriptures. The whole temple structure resembles a chariot. It is already being declared as world heritage by UNESCO.

• Address: Konark, Odisha 752111
• Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
• Dress Code: No Dress Code
• Approx. Visit Duration: 2 Hours
• How To Reach: 35 KM From Puri and 64 KM From Bubhaneshwar airport
• Temple Website: http://www.konark.nic.in/
• Best Time To Visit: There is no idol to worship, so any day is good for a visit to this temple.

Sun temple – Ranchi – Jharkhand

This temple is situated at the Ranchi Jamshedpur highway. Despite not being very big in architecture people beliefs are very much prevalent with this temple. Here the temple entrance consists of seven horses tied with string and is being driven by Lord Surya. This temple is a must-visit place by anyone crossing from this place.

• Address: Ancillary Industrial Area, Pithiyatil, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 834004 
• Timings: all days of the week 9:00 Am-7:00 Pm
• Dress Code: No Dress Code
• Approx. Visit Duration: 1-2 Hours
• Best Time To Visit: Rath Saptami festival, Kalyanotsavam, and all-important festivals

Sun temple – Martand– Jammu Kashmir

This temple was built back in 725-750 CE and is dedicated to Lord Surya. It is widely spread across a large area with peristyle architecture. Peristyle architecture is very difficult to find in today’s works. The main shrine of the temple is in the center is surrounded by 84 other shrines. This is a magnificent example of our ancient past but was being completely vandalized by a Muslim ruler Sikander and is still in the same half vandalized state. People visit this temple to witness the ancient architecture and to pray the God Sun.

• Address: Martand, Jammu Kashmir 
• Timings: Any day of the week 8:00 Am-5:00 Pm
• Dress Code: No Dress Code
• Approx. Visit Duration: 1-2 Hours
• Best Time To Visit: Rath Saptami and all-important festivals

Related Articles & Videos:

Famous Temples in North and South India
Famous temples in Bangalore