Surya Dev is the Hindu god of the sun. His name means “The Supreme Light.” He is the chief solar deity and is often seen as an aspect of Vishnu and Shiva (as these, he is known as Surya Narayana and Astamurti respectively). He is one of the sons of Aditi and goes by many names such as Vivasvat, Mitra, Aditi, Pusha, Divakar and many others.

He is often depicted riding a chariot, being pulled by white horses. In his four arms, he holds the discus (representing the sun), a lotus and a conch. His one hand is for granting boons. Sometimes he holds lotuses in two hands.

His consort is an aspect and incarnation of Devi Mata/Parvati Maa, Randala Maa is the daughter of Vishwakarma, the Celestial Architect and God of Architecture.

Randala Maa came into the world when there was draught. No food or rain could be produced. And so she made it rain over the land. Each part of earth her feet touched, became abundant.

She healed the sick and gave childless couples children. Soon enough, she became the consort of Surya Dev. In which she also takes the form of two other goddesses named Chhaya and Sandhya. Hence her twin-like appearance in most depictions.

II Meaning of  Surya Mantra IIThroughout the dusky firmament advancing,

laying to rest the immortal and the mortal, Borne in his golden chariot he cometh,

Savitar, God who looks on every creature.

In Hinduism, Surya (सू�र्य�) is the chief solar deity. Surya symbolizes the Sun God. In Hindu religious literature, Surya is notably mentioned as the visible form of God that one can see every day.

Idol of Surya Dev sitting on a chariot driven by seven horses is placed on the rear side niche of the temple in the eastern side. Surya Dev is shown holding lotus flowers in both the hands and bearing a kirit mukut, kanthahar, kundals and vaijyantimala.

We pray to Surya Narayan Swami to Shine light into our lives and deliver us from the darkness that surrounds each and everyone of us. He is the light and without light we cannot see so we ask him to continue to give us this light so that we are able to continue to grow both spiritually and physically.

Sun is the one that gives us this eternal abundance of physical and spiritual growth. Without the sun, there would be everlasting darkness and no existence of any life on earth. The sun and earth work hand in hand to provide what so many of us take for granted.

Konark Temple

Konark Temple