Arasavalli Suryanarayana Swamy Temple

Today is Ratha Saptami

Arasavalli Suryanarayana Swamy Temple
(Repeat Post)

Arasavalli Suryanarayana Swamy Temple is dedicated to Sun God is located at Arasavalli village in Srikakulam District – Andhra Pradesh.From the inscriptions, it is known that this temple was built the King Devendra Varma of Kalinga dynasty in the 7th century A.D.  Sunday will be the auspicious day to worship Sun God. Rathasapthami festival will be celebrated here in a grand manner.

History

It was mentioned in Padma Purana that Suryanarayana (Sun God) born to Sage Kashyap and Aditi. It was the Sage Kashyap who installed Suryanarayana (Sun God) at this place.

As per the legends, during Dwaparayuga, Balarama brother of Lord Krishna brought the river Nagavali with his plough and built a temple on the banks of the river. All Devas worshipped the Lord Rudra Koteshwara and Goddess Uma (Parvati) at this temple. Indra, the Heaven God arrived late and tried to enter the temple. Nandi the Divine Gatekeeper, who was guarding the entrance stopped him from entering to prevent any disturbance his master. Indra remained adamant over his demand in entering the temple which made Nandi angry. Nandi thereupon kicked him strongly with his foot and thrown him miles away from the temple on the eastern side. Indra laid in an  unconscious state with body pains. It is said that Indra relieved from the body pains by installing and worshipping the Sun God at his place. Indra created a water pool with his weapon Vajrayudha which was called by Indra Pushkarini.

Every year at the beginning of Uttarayana and  Dakshinayana the Sunrays touches the holy feet of the Sun God inside the Sanctum Sanctorum and remains steady for few minutes. Thousands of devotees visit this temple during this time. It is believed that Worshipping Sun God on these days will be blessed with good fortune.

The temple beautifully depicts puranic stories through Vishvakarma sculptures. The presiding deity of Lord Suryanarayana is a granite idol found along with his consorts Padma, Usha and Chaya. It is mesmerizing to see the Lord and his consorts seated royally on the seven horse driven chariot. Apart from this we can see the deity bearing Lotus buds, which gives him the name Padma Paani.Towards the end of the picture you will also see the gate keepers Pingala and Danda and the saints Sanaka and Sananda along with Surya’s charioteer Aruna.