Suryanarayana Temple, Arasavalli

Arasavalli Sun Temple is a 7th-century AD Sun Temple at Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is situated in Arasavalli Village at a distance of 1 km east of Srikakulam Town. It is believed that the temple was built by king Devendra Varma, ruler of the Kalinga Dynasty.[1] The temple is still being visited today and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the town. This temple is considered as one of the oldest sun temples in India.

Arasavalli Sun Temple
Arasavilli Sri Suryanarayanamurty Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictSrikakulam
DeitySurya
FestivalsRatha Saptami, Maha Shivaratri
Location
LocationArasavalli
StateAndhra Pradesh
CountryIndia
Location of Arasavalli in Andhra Pradesh
Geographic coordinates18.3706607°N 83.9237704°E / 18.3706607; 83.9237704
Architecture
TypeKalinga architecture
CreatorDevendra Varma
Completed7th Century AD

History

The Temple was dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya. The walls in the temple are inscribed saying the creator of the temple was the ruler Devendra Varma, stating it was built in the time period known to them as the 7th century. The walls also state the temple was fixed and changed a bit to help with some of the sun temple's major flaws during their 18th and 19th century. A lot of these changes were contributed by the Dusi family. Over the years the sun temple has been an important landmark for many of the festivals celebrated in the town. Including the important festival Rathasaptami.

Importance of the temple
Indra Pushkarini (Temple tank) at Arasavilli

The temple is very much recognized as a resemblance of magnificence and beauty. It takes in architectural skills of Vishwakarma Brahmins or Maharanas of Odisha. The temple is built in such a way that the early morning rays of the sun fall on the feet of the deity twice a year (Uttaraynam - March 9-11 and Dakshinayam - October 1-3), even when the 5 entrance gates are closed.[2]

gollark: It is not currently believed to be sapient.
gollark: One of the pins is slightly bent, and it appears to have been exposed to enough sunlight that the labels are faded and the plastic is slightly yellowed.
gollark: It doesn't actually have a case.
gollark: Still, though.
gollark: Oh, wait, not gigabit, 100Mbps, this is an old model.

See also

Konark Sun Temple

References
  1. "Historical Importance of the Temple". Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  2. "Sun rays touch Arasavalli deity". 10 March 2011.


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