Suryanarayana Swamy Alayam (Arasavilli)

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Sri SuryaNarayana Swamy (Sun God)Temple at Arasavalli is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun god Surya, located near the Srikakulam town of Andhra Pradesh, India. The original name Harshavalli means abode of joy. It has SuryaNarayana Swamy (Sun God) as the presiding deity. Ratha Saptami is the most important festival which is celebrated in this temple. People suffering with eye and skin diseases are believed to be cured by the god at this temple. The temple is believed to have been built in the 7th Century AD by the Kalinga rulers Devendra Varma of Orissa.

            This temple is a testimonial for the architectural skills of Vishwakarma Brahmin sculptors. It is believed that the Orissa Vishwakarma Brahmin sculptors also called as Maharanas in Orissa have planned the architecture and sculpted this engineering master piece. The temple is built in such a way that the Sun rays fall on the feet of the God twice a year in the months of February and June during the early hours of the day. The rays fall on the feet of idol for a few minutes through the five entrance gates of the temple remin closed. the five idols installed in one place in the temple viz., 1.Aditya 2.Ambica, 3.Vishnu, 4.Ganesha, 5.Maheswara are worshiped by different devotees.The Sun God is depicted as riding on a Chariot drawn by seven horses driven by Aruna. All these figures are exquisitely carved out of a single black granite stone. Sundays during the five months from Magha masam are considered sacred. Every Sunday people from different places from Andhra & Orissa come here for worshiping the Sun God. This temple was build in the Orissa style of temple architecture.  

Sthalapuranam

The ' Sthalapuranam ' of the temple narrates that lord Devendra had founded this temple and installed the existing idol of the sun God commonly known as Lord suryanarayana Swamy Varu under the following circumstances .

                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 senceless . 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 built a temple and installed 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 grenite stone.

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE

Archeological experts say that the stone inscriptions available in the temple throw some light to the effect that Devendra Varma, the Ruler of the Kalinga Kingdom, must have build this temple and installed the image of the Sun God in it in the later half of the 7th Century . The translation of the stone inscriptions reveals the donation of some lands made to the Sun God for perpectual lamps to be installed in the temple , to run a school or a Hostel for the pupils learning Sastras and vedas . These donations are stated to have been made by the successors of the Calinga King Devendra Varma prior to 11th Century A.D. The temple is buildt in such a way as to make the Sun Rays focus on the feet of the God twice in the year in the months of March and September in the early hours of the day . The rays so focused on the feet of the Idol through the five entrance gates of the temple , remain for a few minutes.

This temple has the unique feature of attracting crouds of the people of different sects , cults end creeds together and making them believe the God is one and there is no difference between Siva and Kesava. The Five idols ( Panchayatana installed in a particular place in the temple) namely : - 1. Aditya 2. Ambika 3. Vishnu 4. Ganesha 5. Maheswara, represent all the faiths. Finally the devotees visiting this temple , go and worship the presiding diety the Sun God about whom the puranas speak as the embodiment of Trimurthies , Brahama ,Vishnu and Maheswara . The Lord who sees physically everything in the course of his daily round over the universe and who fully understands the truth behind all things , is not only regarded as Pratyaksha Daivam ( Visible God ) but also the source and sustainer of all life . The people who perform ' Suryanamaskara ' resite 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 hormonating sound which always protects the register in every way . This is the secrecy of the Sun God Worship. Sunday is considered as most auspicious day to Sun God worship.

Indrapuskarini

The Sun God said granted his wish and vanished. Indra dug with his ‘Vajrayudha’ and formed a pond, which is known as Indrapushkarini. Even today Devotees feel that they can attain the Grace of Lord Surya if they offer their prayers after taking a dip in the pushkarini. After taking a holy dip in the pushkarni, they turn towards the temple and open their eyes and do what to they see! Lord Surya’s idol before then in all its great splendor-and clad in golden colored angavastra.

THE MAHATMYAM OF ARASAVALLI

The holy Temple of Bhagavan Suryanarayna Swami is located at Arasavalli in Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh. This is perhaps the only Sun Temple in the entire Coramandal Coast since the Konark Temple on the Orissa Coast always remained an incomplete and unfinished project. People who are unfortunate enough to suffer from eye and skin, diseases visit the Temple and offer their prayers to the Sun God. They believe that the Sun God is essentially a God of Health and Prayers offered to Him would heal their sickness. From the great Puranas of Dwaparayuga, the following information is gathered. Balarama is supposed to be the very incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Balarama in Dwarparayuga bought the river Nagavali along the furrow of his tiller and consecrated a temple on the shores of the river Nagavali. That is the temple of Uma and Rudra Koteswara. All the Gods angels and their minions arrived on the shores of Nagavali and paid their obeisance to Lord Rudra, Indra, the Lord of Paradise was, some how, late. By the time he arrived, it was late in the night; he tried to gatecrash his entry. At the time Nandiswara, the great Vahana of Rudra was keeping vigil at the gate. He did not allow Indra to go in, as it was time for Lord Rudra to rest with Mata Parvathi. Indra was adamant in his demand to enter the temple, Infuriated by his perverse persistence, Nandiswara kicked him violently and sent him flowing in the air towards the eastern side. Indra fell unconscious in a painful state. Then, it is said, he offered his prayer to the Sun God for relief of his body pains and exhaustion. The Sun God took pity on him and touched Lord Indra with his in numerable rays and Indra got back his strength and relief from pain. He was all grateful to the Sun God who gave him back his strength and relief from pain. He begged the sun god to allow him to stay there forever and spend his time

1. Ratha saptami -> Sun God's birth day

This is the main festival of lord surya narayana swamy . , . celebrated in the month of February of march every year . it is a belief that our country goes into light from darkeness from this day onwards every year. . . winter season ceases & spring season starts . our bodies will have a chemical reaction with the sun rays & we become healthy . Mythologically it is said to be Sun God's birth day. Special rays & vibrations are supposed to be present in the timple premises & it is also said that devotees taking 'teerdha(sacred water) Prasadams(sweet kept at God's feet) will be blessed with wealth & health . Lord Suryanarayana Swamy has a chariot with one wheel and seven horses representing seven colors of light that VIBGYOR . Lord Rama worshiped Surya before killing Ravana . on this radhasaptami day people will be allowed to have " nijaroopa darshanam"

2. Kalyanotsavam(Marriage Aniversary)

kalyanotsavam will be celebrated from " chaitra suddha Aekadashi" to " Bahula Padyami(6 days) . Generally it comes in the month of March & April . Lord Surya has 3 consorts ... they are named as " Usha " , "Chaya " (daughter of Devasilpi(mason)Viswakarma, "Padmini"

3.Mahasivaratri

As the temple's Kshetrapalaka(Mayor) happened to be " Bhuvaneswari " with "Ramalingeswara Swamy "... (Lord shiva ) hence Mahasiva raatri will be celebrate to please and pacify that (shiva) god and it comes in the month of Feb. & March every year. Abhisekaas like ' Rudrabhishekam , and Ekavara Abhishekam are performed during nights only to keep the devotees awake (Jagaranam , or Jagaramu)

4.Dolotsavam 

•    This ritual is otherwise known as Holika Poornima or Holi . this comes usually in March ie. Phalguna  Suddha Tryodashi , Chaturdashi & Poornima ,
•  On 1st day (tryodashi) Kamadahanam festival is celebrated .. dry grass (straw) is burnt as a sign of victory over evil-desires .
• On 2nd day(chaturdashi)- the Lord Surya along with his wives taken to a procession in the Holy garden and in the streets . This reflects the joy of Health .
• On third day (Poornima): Lord will be cradled in the holy garden at the outskirts . people gather to see the function in the evening . This cradle is known ad DOLA .

5.Maha Vaisakhi 

In the month of Vaisakhi devotees give their offering(Presentations) to the Lord for health & wealth . This is one of the holiest months for Sun worshippers.

6 . Rakhi Pournami

This comes on Sravana Suddha Pournami . Vishesha Archana is performed on this day . A new Sacred Thread is worn by Lord Surya . People will come to worship Lord Sun God on this day

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6 . Rakhi Pournami

This comes on Sravana Suddha Pournami . Vishesha Archana is performed on this day . A new Sacred Thread is worn by Lord Surya . People will come to worship Lord Sun God on this day

7. Janmastami

This is the birthday of Lord Krishna and is celebrated for nine days starting from 'Sravana Bahula Ashtami.

• 1st day -- vratam for srikrishna .
•   2nd day --utti festival in holy garden ,
• 3rd to 9th day -- Krishan leela every evening . bhajalu, ete. prasadam will be distributed to devotees.

8 . Dasara

Asweyuja suddha padyami to dasami Dasara navaratulu & devi pooja will be celebrated . chakrarchana , avarararchana , Homam will be celebrated.

9. Naraka chaturdashi & Diwali

on Aswayuja Bahula chaturdashi & Amavasya the Lord sun is taken to holy garden in procession and an idol of Narakasura is made & burnt as the sign of victory of good over evil. on the next day - diwali day , temple will be illuminated with special lights & oil divve(light).

10 . Teppostavam

Teppotsavam, also called as 'Boat Festival' or 'Float Festival', is celebrated in temples in which the festival images of deities are taken in procession in a float (Teppam), in the temple tank, accompanied by the chanting of hymns and the playing of music.

            Every year on Karteeka Suddha dwadashi .. Lord Sun God is teken to Indra puskarini , give him a bath and kept on Hamsha nava(Swan shaped Boat) ... turned around on the water 12 times , namely Parikramas . . . during this time vishesha Archana is performed to the Sun diety . Devotees will place oil lamps (deepaalu) on the puskarini water. This is to show way to heaven to all their ancestors(died Blood relations).

11 . Vaikuntha Aekadashi

On this day the vaikuntha dwara (North door ) is Opened .. devotees will enter the temple through that door . Temple is treated Auspiciously as Heaven on that day . . . and all are entering once the Heaven and get Moksha by riding of their sins done so far. Special vratams & annadanam will be performed on this day.

12 . Makara Sankranthi

This day Sun is said to be changing from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana . . the sun position in the orbit of Gods . special Abishekam(Prayer) & Archana (worship) are performed

11 . Vaikuntha Aekadashi

On this day the vaikuntha dwara (North door ) is Opened .. devotees will enter the temple through that door . Temple is treated Auspiciously as Heaven on that day . . . and all are entering once the Heaven and get Moksha by riding of their sins done so far. Special vratams & annadanam will be performed on this day .

12 . Makara Sankranthi

This day Sun is said to be changing from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana . . the sun position in the orbit of Gods . special Abishekam(Prayer) & Archana (worship) are performed