Sun worship in Hinduism, devoted to Surya, is one of India’s oldest spiritual traditions, dating back to the Rig Veda. Revered as the source of light, life, and cosmic energy, Surya features in Vedic hymns, Puranas, and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Daily rituals, mantras, and festivals such as Makar Sankranti honor the Sun god, bringing spiritual, astrological, and cultural benefits. Surya continues to influence Indian rituals, astrology, and temple worship across the country.
Sun worship in Hinduism, devoted to Surya, has guided spiritual practices in India since ancient times. Celebrated through mantras, rituals, and festivals like Makara Sankranti, it symbolizes light, growth, and cosmic energy. Discover the historical roots, cultural impact, and continuing traditions of Surya devotion across India.
“आदिदेव नमस्तुभ्यं, प्रसीद मम भास्करः/दिवाकरः नमस्तुभ्यं, प्रभाकरः नमोस्तुते”- “I bow to the primordial god (Adi Deva), he who is the originator of days and luminscience, I prostrate in front of him.”
The first line of the Rig Vedic “Suryashtakam”, a hymn dedicated to the divine opulence of the Hindu Sun god Surya, dates the tradition of Sun worship in India to its earliest civilizations. From the Vedas to the Puranas and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, the glories of Surya who dispels darkness, negativity, illness, and evil forces through his heavenly light, are evoked.
Sun worship in Hinduism is one of India’s oldest spiritual traditions, tracing the reverence of Surya from the Rig Veda to epic tales like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Considered the source of light, life, and cosmic energy, Surya is honored through daily rituals, hymns, and festivals such as Makar Sankranti. These practices not only celebrate the Sun’s divine power but also bring spiritual, astrological, and cultural benefits to devotees across India.
🔸Historical Roots: The earliest hymns, such as the Suryashtakam and Gayatri Mantra, describe Surya as the dispeller of darkness and bringer of knowledge, health, and vitality.
🔸Cultural Significance: Beyond temples, Surya is symbolically present in Indian art, architecture, and festivals, emphasizing his role in guiding human life and cosmic order.
🔸Modern Practice: Even today, Hindus practice Surya Namaskar, offer water to the rising Sun, and observe Makar Sankranti to honor Surya’s blessings.
The brightly shining Sun, moving ceaselessly throughout the day was undoubtedly one of the first heavenly beings to be encountered by early humans. Soon, the powers of Surya were identified and the fiery object in the skies became a deified being. In the Rig Veda, Surya is celebrated in multiple forms such as Mitra, Savitra, Vishnu, Varuna, and Pushan, each representing different aspects of life and cosmic order.
Often compared with the Moon (Chandra) as the 'two eyes of God,' Surya embodies the dispeller of darkness, negativity, and illness. In the Gayatri Chanda (meter) of the Rig Veda, Surya is described as Brahma in the morning, Shiva in the afternoon, and Vishnu during the evening.
Lord Surya on His Seven Horses Chariot In Brass
Vedic texts describe Surya as the son of Aditi and sage Kashyapa. According to legend, Aditi bore seven or eight children, the eighth one out of whom was “Martanda”- one who was born from a dead (marta) egg (anda). Martanda not only survived but also positioned himself in the skies, where he came to be known as Surya, the god of light and divine strength.
Surya married Sanjana, also known as Serenu (golden powder), Suvarchasa (mighty splendor), Prabha (light), and Dyauh (primordial celestial wife). Yama, the Hindu god of Death and Yami (later river goddess Yamuna), along with Ashvini Kumar, Manu and Revanta were the heavenly off springs of Sanjana and Surya, who went on to be worshipped as individual deities in their own right.
The sons of Aditi, known collectively as Adityas, numbered twelve, each representing phases and aspects of the Sun. Savitru, one of the Adityas was the beginner of all activities, Pushan became the guardian of travelers, roads, and a pastoral deity, Vivasvat was the rising sun, and Mitra was worshipped as an Indo-Aryan divinity. Vedic legends also credit Surya with establishing the cycle of day and night, teaching mortals about life, death, and cosmic balance.
The Sun is symbolically represented by motifs such as the Swastika, with its four arms signifying the position of Surya in the sky in different phases of the day, and the eight-petalled lotus, which blossoms in harmony with the Sun’s rise and set. These symbols emphasize the Sun’s central role in Vedic cosmology and Hindu rituals.
One of the most popular Vedic sacrifices performed by rulers and royals seeking to legitimize and profess their power was the Ashwamedha yajna. The presiding deity of the rituals of Ashwamedha was none other than Bhagwan Surya, who was the recipient of the Ashwa (horse) that was sacrificed. A gold emblem with Surya etched on it was placed on the horse to be used in the Ashwamedha which was ritually offered to the god at the end of the sacrifice. This practice highlights Surya’s significance in spiritual life, also in political and social spheres of ancient India.
The Puranas provide detailed instructions for depicting Surya in temples and sacred art. According to the Vishnudharmottara Purana, Bhagwan Surya should be Chaturbhuja (four-armed), dressed in the style of the northern region, wearing a waist belt (Yaviyanga), holding a danda (staff), and surrounded by his family members.
The most common depictions are either standing or riding a chariot drawn by seven horses, representing the seven colors of sunlight and the days of the week. Some sculptors believe that since the feet of Surya was left untrimmed by Vishwakarma, they carry incomprehensible brilliance, and thus the artists refrain from showing the Sun god’s bare feet in their art.
Puranas in the Hindu religion are repositories of divine grace, which is expressed through stories that can be understood by everyone. The Markandeya Purana narrates to us the story of Surya and how his unbearable light for Sanjana was regulated by the divine sculptor Vishwakarma. From the powerful rays of the Sun that he removed, Vishwakarma created weapons for all the gods- Shiva’s Trishula, Vishnu’s chakra, Danda, or the stick of Yama.
Bhagwan Surya came to symbolize the glorious prowess of every deity and is often used to describe the aura of Hindu gods and goddesses. Another Puranic tale mentions Prabhas Patan tirtha (pilgrimage center) of Gujrat, where Vishwakarma trimmed the Sun’s brilliance, creating the sacred Arka Sthala (place of Surya). These tales emphasize Surya’s integration into the strength and aura of all Hindu deities.
The event led to the emergence of heavenly light, after which the spot was named Prabhas (radiance). In the time of the Puranas, icons of Surya were installed in Surya temples, such as the ones at Modhera (Gujarat), Konark (Odisha), and Martand (Kashmir).
In the Mahabharata, Surya’s significance is highlighted through his son with Kunti, Karna. Known as Suryaputra, Karna received Surya’s blessings in the form of a golden armor (Kavacham) and earrings (Kundala), granting him unending powers for any battlefield in life. This connection underscores the Sun god’s role as a protector, provider of strength, and source of divine favor, showing how Vedic beliefs were woven into epic narratives.
In the Ramayana, the practice of Sun worship is mentioned several times, with characters like Rama, Sita, and Hanuman acknowledging Surya’s divine presence. Before journeying to Lanka, Hanuman bowed to Surya, Brahma, and Pawan Deva, while Rama was advised by Sage Agastya to offer prayers to Surya.
The powerful hymn “Aditya Hridaya Stotra”, invokes Surya’s energy to remove negativity, defeat enemies, ensure victory, and darkness from their lives. The glories of Surya which originated in the cultural belief system of Vedic Aryans, in the form of hymns, mantras, and symbols continue to be an active part of Hindu religious practices in the present time.
The Panchayatan system (Pancha- five), popularized by Shankracharya, includes Surya among five principal deities along with Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu, and Devi). Daily worship of Surya is believed to confer both material and spiritual benefits. Additionally, Surya is the presiding deity of the Navagraha (nine planets) mandala, influencing astrology, zodiac signs (Rashichakra), and planetary energies. His worship helps balance cosmic forces, improve health, and bring positivity into the devotee’s life.
It is because of this that a practicing Hindu offers respect to the rising sun through Suryanamaskar (Sun salutations), ritually offering water, singing hymns, chanting the Gayatri mantra, or celebrating the festival of Makara Sankranti. From the dawn of civilizations, the Sun has been a constant source of energy and the exaltations of Lord Surya will continue to live on as long as human beings walk on this earth, perhaps even longer.
Makar Sankranti, celebrated in mid-January, is one of the most popular festivals dedicated to Surya. The festival is celebrated when the Sun moves from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere, known as “Uttarayana”, symbolizing longer days, positivity, and growth. Devotees across India offer prayers, perform arghya (water offerings), take holy dips in rivers, donations to Brahmans, gifts to elders, and celebrate with family feasts and cultural festivities.
You can honor Surya at home by waking early, bathing, and offering prayers to the rising Sun. Traditional foods like khichadi, sesame seeds, and jaggery are prepared. Families decorate their homes, perform puja together, give donations (Daana), and fly kites to welcome the sunlight. These simple rituals strengthen spiritual energy, positivity, and family bonds.
According to Vedic astrology, Makar Sankranti represents the Sun’s move into Capricorn, a sign governed by Saturn (Shani). This shift balances the energies of Surya and Shani, bringing prosperity, well-being, and favorable results in various aspects of life. The Sun’s influence during Uttarayana is believed to enhance spiritual energy, promote health, and improve mental and emotional stability.
Sankranti literally means change and refers to the transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to the other. There are 12 Sankrantis in a year. Makar Sankranti is the event of the Sun’s transition into Makar rashi or Capricorn. This is the most popular among all Sankranti as it is the beginning of a period of energy and growth, after a long winter season.
During Makar Sankranti, the Sun moves to the North (Uttarayan). This is an astronomical event that signals the beginning of longer days and shorter nights in the northern hemisphere. It is the end of winter and the beginning of days with sunlight and clear skies. Spiritually, this phase is seen as a positive shift from the negative, low-energy days of winter, a change that is celebrated all over India.
🔸Ancient Tradition: Sun worship in Hinduism dates back to the Rig Veda, highlighting Surya as the source of life and energy.
🔸Vedic Significance: Surya is connected to Vedic hymns, Adityas, and rituals like the Ashwamedha Yajna.
🔸Puranic Influence: Puranas and epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata describe Surya’s divine powers and blessings.
🔸Iconography: Surya is depicted in temples and murtis as four-armed, standing, or riding a chariot, often with family members.
🔸Festivals & Rituals: Makar Sankranti, Surya Namaskar, and daily arghya offerings honor the Sun god.
🔸Astrological Role: Surya governs the zodiac, Navagraha, and planetary energies, bringing spiritual and material benefits.
🔸Cultural Continuity: Sun worship connects humans to cosmic energy, health, positivity, and prosperity across India.
Surya is the Hindu Sun god, considered the source of light, life, and cosmic energy, worshipped since the Vedic period.
Sun worship honors Surya for health, spiritual energy, prosperity, and the balance of cosmic forces.
Hindus offer prayers to Surya, perform rituals, donate, fly kites, and enjoy traditional foods to celebrate the Sun’s transition into Capricorn.
The Rig Veda describes Surya as the source of life and includes hymns like the Suryashtakam and Gayatri mantra dedicated to him.
Surya governs the zodiac and Navagraha, affecting planetary energies, prosperity, and personal well-being.
Daily practices include Surya Namaskar, offering water (arghya), chanting mantras, and reciting hymns for positivity and spiritual growth.
Notable Surya temples include Konark (Odisha), Modhera (Gujarat), and Martand (Kashmir), showcasing unique iconography and architecture.
Sun is the most ancient deity worshipped not only in India but across the globe. As the source of the Universe’s natural light, the Sun commands respect as an unparalleled presence, one that can not be lived without. This necessity translates into the traditions of Sun worship, which recognize the connection between human life and the Sun.
In India, Surya has been revered since the Vedic period and continues to be worshipped in every corner of the country by practicing Hindus, with simple rituals such as arghya and more elaborate rituals such as vrat, upavas, snan, and daana on special occasions such as Makar Sankranti.
To explore the rich traditions of Sun worship, ancient hymns, and artifacts related to Surya, visit Exotic India Art, where a curated collection of texts, murtis, and cultural treasures celebrates the glory of the Sun and its role in Hindu heritage.
SOURCE-
1.) Surya: The Sun God (by Shakti M. Gupta, Somaiya Publications)
2.) A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism
Your email address will not be published *
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist