01Sun on the feet
Suryanarayana stands in black granite with lotuses in his hands, his consorts Usha and Chhaya beside him, and Aruna driving the seven horses at his feet. The temple is aligned so that for a few mornings in March and again in October the first rays enter the main gate, pass through the halls and touch the murti’s feet. Crowds gather in the dark to see it. Ratha Saptami in Magha is the great festival, when Surya is honoured on his own day.
02A Kalinga foundation
The temple’s tradition and local copper-plate records attribute it to the Kalinga king Devendravarma of the Eastern Ganga line, in the 7th century. The Padma Purana is cited by the temple for the katha of Indra, who was struck down by Nandi when he tried to force his way to Shiva and recovered by worshipping Surya here; the tank in front is the Indra Pushkarini. Those who suffer from eye and skin ailments pray at this shrine.
The life of this place
- 7th century (tradition)The temple is founded by the Kalinga king Devendravarma.
About 1 km from Srikakulam town; Srikakulam Road station (Amadalavalasa) is 13 km away. Ratha Saptami falls in January–February.
