| In Hindu mythology, Suryadev or Lord Surya is a | | | | in the Hindu mythology are appeased by chanting |
| prominent figure. 'Surya' means 'sun' and 'Dev' | | | | of the mantras. Suryadev is no such exception. |
| means 'god'. Hindus most commonly will gaze at | | | | 'Shri Surya Mantrashakti' features the most |
| the sun when starting out any important task. He | | | | potent and powerful chants of hhis name. Sage |
| is the ruler of Navgraha (nine planets) that rotate | | | | Agastya recited 'Aditya Hridayam' to Lord Rama |
| around him in Hindu astrology. Being the son of | | | | before his battle with Ravana. 'Aditya Hridayam' is |
| Sage Kashyap and Aditi he is described as | | | | a mantra closely associated with Lord Surya for |
| 'Aharpati' which means Lord of the day and 'Jagat | | | | strength in defeating one's enemies. In Hindu |
| Chakshu' which means Eye of the world. Married | | | | religion, the 'Gayatri' hymn is also associated by |
| to three wives Saranyu, Prabha and Ragyi, he is | | | | the sun. |
| the reason for rainfall in the world. The lord of | | | | Among Hindus the gazing of the sun is considered |
| Leo in the Zodiac he is worshiped as the visible | | | | to be a sign of worship. It helps the devotee gain |
| form of God that one can see every day | | | | his eyesight when he acknowledges him by gazing |
| Surya is also recognized as one of the eight | | | | at the sun. By performing the Surya Namaskar in |
| types of Lord Mahadeva, named the Astamurti. | | | | the early morning, the devotee is blessed with |
| All of his names refer to a quality of awareness. | | | | strengthened bones, wealth, long life, progeny, |
| Sunday is his ruling day. An early morning prayer | | | | cured illness and good-health. Surya Namaskar is |
| to him, is a part of the daily ritual of Indian | | | | the advanced version of the modern push-ups. |
| devotees. Surya Namaskar in yoga, is an example | | | | Temples of Lord Surya are all the across the |
| of this worship. The Surya Namaskar is a pattern | | | | country. 'Suryanarayana Temple' is located in |
| of yogic exercises that devotees perform at sun | | | | Tamil Nadu and is popularly known as |
| rise in order to salute the sun. Surya makes day | | | | 'Suryanar-Koli'. 'Konark' is also another temple of |
| and night, offers energy to all living beings and rids | | | | Lord Surya at Orissa in Buguda of the Ganjam |
| them from ailments and lethargy. Among Hindus | | | | District. The Marthand temple in Kashmir was also |
| the Surya Puja is performed to appease the sun | | | | an ancient temple dedicated to the sun god. It is |
| god. It is believed that one should always perform | | | | believed to have been built around 9th century |
| Surya Puja in case the influence of the sun is | | | | AD but destroyed by Muslim invaders later. |
| powerless or depleted in the horoscope. The gods | | | | |