The Ancient Hindu Temple of Sun God – “Lord Suryanaryana Swamy Temple” located at Arasavalli in Srikakulam Town, Andhra Pradesh, India. This is one of unique and most visited Pilgrimage Temples in India. The Original name is Harshavalli which means Abode of Joy.
According to Padmapuranam , Sage Kasyapa installed the Idol of Surya at Arasavalli for the Welfare of mankind . Therefore , the Surya is of Kasyapasa Gotra . He is also termed as planetary King . According to the ‘ Sthalapuranam ‘ of the temple, Lord Devendra found this temple and installed the existing idol of the sun God commonly known as Lord suryanarayana Swamy.
Arasavalli Sun God
Once Lord Devendra , Ignoring the words of Dwarapalaka Nandi , attempted to force his entry for Darshan of Sri Rudrakoteswara Swamy varu at an untimely hour when Lord siva was along with his consort . The Dwarapalaka Nandi in the discharge of his duties kicked the intruder . Thus kicked and injured by the Devine attendent Indra fell down senseless. And in his unconscious state Indra dreamt that he would be relieved of his pain of injury in his chest caused by Nandi if he had built a temple and install an Idol of the Sun God . After regaining his consciousness, he remembered what he dreamt .
Following his dream he pickedup handfulls of earth three times at a place where he lay, and there he found this beautiful idol of sun God with his three consorts Usha , Chaya and Padmini . At the base of the idols are the figures of Mathara and Pingala the Dwarapalakas and high up are the two divine saints , sanaka and sanadana holding ‘Chatrams'(An Umbrella ). The Sun God is depicted as riding over a chariot drawn by Anura, the Radhasaradhy . All these figures are exquisitely carved out of a single black finely polished granite stone.
The people who perform ‘ Suryanamaskara ‘ and recite Aditya Hrudayam, Maha Soura and Aruna Manthras containing Powerful beejaksharas of Rigveda and Yazurvada for giving good health, so that it is said that “Arogyam Bhaskaradhischet ” . The mantra or Hymn is a spiritual formula harmonizing sound which always protects the register in every way . This is the secrecy of the Sun God Worship. It is proven great place for curing health troubles and especially eye, skin, BP and heart troubles.
Very close to this are 2 famous places – 8th century beautiful Sri Mukhalingam Siva temples and Sri Kurmam, a rare 11th century Kurmavatara temple.
