Top 10 Sun Temples in India

The Sun was one of the most revered gods in the ancient world. Whether it's Apollo of Greece, 'Sol Invictus' of Rome, or Ra of ancient Egypt. Surya, also known as Aditya, is a significant figure in Hinduism. He had an active role in the Mahabharata as Karana's father. Several temples have been built to venerate this source and sustainer of all life on Earth, and temples can be found in many Shiva temples.

Unlike the other past civilizations stated above, Indian Sun temples continue to draw believers, and many pilgrims visit these temples and dip in the sacred pools associated with them, believing that it can heal them of leprosy, blindness, skin disorders, and so on. Again, Sunday is a particular day for worship, therefore the temples are busier than usual on those days. These temples are not only examples of great old Indian architecture, but they also include cultural influences from various civilizations. The remnants of an ancient Sun temple have been discovered at Martanda near Srinagar in Kashmir, raising the question of how many Sun temples have succumbed to the tides of time. The following ones have survived:

Table of Contents

1. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
2. Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat
3. Martand Sun Temple, Kashmir
4. Gwalior Sun Temple, Madhya Pradesh
5. Balaji Sun Temple, Una, Madhya Pradesh
6. Sun Temple, Ranchi, Jharkhand
7. Surya Pahar Temple, Assam
8. Surya Narayana Temple, Bangalore
9. Dakshinarka Sun Temple, Bihar
10. Suryanar Temple, Tamil Nadu

Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

Konark Sun Temple, Odisha is a 13th-century Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun God. Located in the town of Konark in the Indian state of Odisha, it is one of the most famous Sun temples in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is built in the shape of a huge chariot, with 12 pairs of stone horses pulling the chariot. It is adorned with intricate carvings of deities, animals and geometric patterns. The temple was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty and is a classic example of Odisha architecture or Kalinga architecture.

Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat

Modhera Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun God, stunning for its architecture. Located in Modhera near Patan in Gujarat, India, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a prime example of Indian temple architecture. Built in the 11th century by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty, the temple is known for its intricate carvings and astronomical accuracy. The temple complex consists of the Gudhamandapa (temple chamber), Sabhamandap (assembly hall) and Kund (reservoir). The temple is located on the banks of the Pushpavati River and is a testimony to the rich cultural heritage of Gujarat.

Martand Sun Temple, Kashmir

The Martand Sun Temple is a mediaeval Hindu temple located near Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It was built in the 8th century AD by King Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty and was dedicated to the Sun God. The temple was known for its unique architecture, which blended Gandharan, Gupta and Chinese styles. It had a pillared courtyard with 84 smaller shrines and a central temple with a pyramidal spire. The temple was destroyed by Sultan Sikandar Shah Miri in the 15th century and its ruins were further damaged due to an earthquake. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has designated the temple as a site of national importance. Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir government initiated efforts to restore the temple and a high-level meeting was held to discuss the restoration process.

Gwalior Sun Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Gwalior Sun Temple is located in Madhya Pradesh and was built in 1988 under the inspiration of Ghanshyam Das Ji Birla. The foundation stone of the temple was laid in 1984 and the Prana Pratishtha was done in 1988. The temple is built to worship the Sun God and has 373 idols. The main hall of the temple has three gates, each gate has four pillars with idols of Navgrahas. The walls of the temple have idols of Dwadasha Surya, Dashavatara, Brahma, Vishnu, Narada Saptamatrika and Navdurga. The architecture of the temple worship of the Sun leads to the peace of all the demons of the inauspicious planets.

Balaji Sun Temple, Una, Madhya Pradesh

Balaji Sun Temple is a famous religious place in Una, Madhya Pradesh dedicated to Lord Sun. This temple is located in Datia district and is famous for sun worship. The history of the temple has been renovated by many dynasties and its architecture is characteristic of North Indian temples. A grand statue of Lord Sun is installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and the importance of sun worship is worshiped here in Hinduism. Intricate carvings can be seen at the entrance of the temple, which depict various gods and goddesses and ancient stories of Hinduism.

Sun Temple, Ranchi, Jharkhand

Sun Temple, Ranchi, Jharkhand is a Hindu temple complex dedicated to the solar god Sun. It is located on a hilltop about 40 km from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. The temple is built in the form of a huge chariot with 18 wheels and 7 natural horses. It houses many other deities including Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha. The temple was built by a charitable trust called Sanskruti Vihar and its foundation stone was laid on October 24, 1991. The temple complex also has a dharamshala for pilgrims and a pond where devotees can bathe to worship the Sun God during Chhath Puja.

Surya Pahar Temple, Assam

The Sri Surya Pahar Temple in Assam, India is an important archaeological site associated with Hindu sun worship. Located about 12 km southeast of Goalpara, about 132 km northwest of Guwahati, the site is centered around the hills (pahars) of Sri Surya, which are rich in Shiva lingas. The sage Vyasa is believed to have carved 99,999 Shiva lingas here to create the second Kashi (where there were 1,00,000 Shiva lingas). Many rock carvings of Hindu deities such as Shiva, Vishnu and Prajapati have been found at the site, indicating its historic significance for Hindu sun worship. Archaeologists believe that the site may have been the ancient capital of the Pragjyotishpura or Pragjyotish kingdom, based on accounts by the Chinese traveller Xuanzang. The Archaeological Survey of India has carried out excavations on Sri Surya Pahar since 1993, yielding Shiva lingas and remains of ancient houses, giving insight into the history of the site.

Surya Narayana Temple, Bangalore

The temple is a major Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya. It is one of the few temples in India that focus exclusively on the worship of the Sun God, with the main deity of Lord Surya Narayana along with other deities such as Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu and the Navagraha. The temple is known for its serene atmosphere, mesmerizing architecture and well-maintained premises, with visitors praising its cleanliness and availability of facilities. Puja rituals and festivals such as the annual Radhasaptami festival in February are held regularly at the temple. While the temple has ample parking, the many stairs may be challenging for elderly or disabled visitors. Located in the Domlur area, about 1 km from the Domlur bus stand, the Sri Surya Narayana Swamy Temple is an important Hindu pilgrimage site renowned for its spiritual ambiance and architectural grandeur.

Dakshinarka Sun Temple, Bihar

The Dakshinarka Sun Temple in Bihar is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya. Believed to have been built by Lord Vishwakarma in a single night, archaeological evidence suggests that it was constructed between the 8th and 9th centuries. The architecture of the temple is a blend of Nagara, Dravidian and Vesara styles, which is evident from the inscriptions on the temple walls. The main mandapam is rectangular with a pyramid-shaped roof supported by large stone pillars. Several festivals are celebrated at the temple, including the Karthika Mela, Chait Mela and Adra Mela, which are visited by a large number of devotees. Located in Aurangabad, Bihar, the temple is known for its unique architecture and historical significance, making it an important cultural and religious site in the region.

Suryanar Temple, Tamil Nadu

Suryanar Kovil, located in Suryanar Kovil village near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, is an important Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya. The temple is one of the nine Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu and the only temple dedicated to Surya. The main deity Suryanarayana is enthroned along with his wives Ushadevi and Pratyusha Devi. The temple also has separate shrines for the other eight planetary deities, making it a unique and sacred site for Hindu pilgrims. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture, with a five-tiered gopuram and impressive granite walls. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Kulottunga Chola in the 11th century and later additions were made during the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is a popular pilgrimage site, especially for those seeking relief from the ill effects of Shani (Saturn) and other planetary doshas. The temple is open from 6:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and visitors can spend about 1-2 hours exploring the temple and its surroundings.