DeitySaura
Surya: FAQ & Sources
सूर्यThe Sun; source of light, life, health and time; chief of the Navagraha. Also called Aditya, Ravi, Bhaskara, Savitr, Mitra, Divakara, Martanda, Vivasvan, Pushan, Arka.
Surya is the Hindu Sun god, the visible deity and chief of the Navagraha. He crosses the sky in a chariot of seven horses driven by Aruna, the dawn, and is father of Yama, Yamuna, the Ashvins, Shani, Karna and Sugriva. The Gayatri mantra is addressed to him, and he is worshipped through Surya Namaskar, the sunrise Arghya, Chhath and great Sun temples such as Konark.
RoleThe Sun; source of light, life, health and time; chief of the Navagraha
TraditionSaura
GrahaSun (chief of the Navagraha)
DaySunday (Ravivar)
MantraOm Suryaya Namah
Great verseGayatri mantra, to Savitr
Frequently asked questions
Who is Surya?
Surya is the Hindu Sun god, the visible deity and chief of the Navagraha, worshipped as Aditya and the source of light, life and health.
Why does Surya have seven horses?
The seven horses of his chariot stand for the seven colours of sunlight, the seven days of the week and the seven metres of Vedic verse.
Who are the children of Surya?
Yama, Yamuna and Vaivasvata Manu by Sanjna; Shani, Tapati and Savarni Manu by Chhaya; the Ashvini twins; and in the epics Karna and Sugriva.
Which day and mantra belong to Surya?
Sunday is his day and Om Suryaya Namah his mantra; the Gayatri mantra is also addressed to him as Savitr.
How is Surya worshipped?
Through the sunrise offering of water (Arghya), Surya Namaskar, the Gayatri and Aditya Hridayam, and festivals like Chhath, Ratha Saptami and Makar Sankranti.
Where is the most famous Sun temple?
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the form of Surya's chariot.
Sources
- Rigveda 1.50, 1.115, 3.62.10 (Gayatri)
- Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda 107 (Aditya Hridayam)
- Markandeya Purana; Brahma Purana and the Saura tradition
- Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana (Surya's lineage)
- Konark and Modhera temple traditions
- Wikipedia, "Surya" (accessed Oct 2026)
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