Sun has been revered since Vedic age with many hymns written for the celestial Body, it is worshipped as Aditya or Surya. There are many rituals in practice for worshipping the deity. Many temples have also been constructed with Sun as the chief deity. Sun temples are even found in Japan, Egypt, China, etc. Some of the Rajput cans, namely "Suryavanshi", worship Sun and claim themselves to be the descendants of the deity.
Some of the major temples in India are:
- Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat. It was built in 11 th century.
- Konark Sun temple, Odisha. It was made by Narasimhadeva I, the Eastern Ganga king in 13th century. It is in a shape of Rath ( Chariat) with mandapa on a raised platform.
- Brahmanya Dev Temple, Unao (Madhya rradesh)
- Suryanaar Kovil, Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) was built in 11th century in Dravidian style. It also has shrines of eight celestial bodies, together called Navagraha's It has beautiful five-layered Gopuram.
- Suryanarayana Swamy temple, Arasavalli (Andhra Pradesh) It is said to be made by a Kalinga king in 7th century. The idol is made of granite and holds a lotus.
- Dakshinaarka Temple, Gaya (Bihar) is said to be built by King Prataparuda of Warangal in 13th century AD. The deity is made in granite and the idol wears Persian attire like waist girdle, boots and a jacket. it has a Surya Kund (water reservoir) nearby.
- Navalakha Temple, Ghumb (Gujarat) was made in 11th century.it is build in Solanki and Maru-Gurjara style.
- Surya Pahar Temple, Goalpara (Assam)
- Martand Sun Temple Kashmir
- Sun Temple, Gwalior
Sun Temple of Gwalior is dedicated to the Sun god and one of the must see tourist attractions Of Gallant Gwalior. This holy temple is similar to the Sun temple of Konark and among the famous pilgrimage centres in the city.
- Sun Temple in Ranchi
It one of the must visit place in Ranchi and among the top tourist attractions of Jharkhand. The temple is situated about 39 km from Ranchi on Tata-Ranchi road.
- Surya Narayana Temple, Domlu Surya Narayana Temple in Domlu is located in Bangalore city and amongst the top 12 famous Sun God Temples in India. The Surya temple is situated in Domlur, 8 Km from center of Bangalore city.
- Sun Temple, Katarmal
Katarmal Surya Temple is situated inside the the thick deodars forest of Kumaon hills near Almora. Surya temple of Katarmal is an monument of national importance and noted for its magnificent carved pillars and wooden doors.
