Surya is the Sun. He is the ruler of the planets. He is known by many names like Aditya, Arka, Bhanu, Savitr, Pushan, Ravi, Martanda, Mitra, Bhaskara, Prabhakara, Kathiravan, and Vivasvan.
He is the primary Aditya, son of Aditi and Sage Kashyap. He resides in his abode Suryaloka.
The iconography of Lord Surya
He is typically shown as a resplendent standing person holding a lotus (Padma) flower in both hands.
The iconography of Surya is often depicted riding a chariot harnessed by horses, seven in number which represent the seven colours of visible light, and the seven days of the week. Names of the seven horses are Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubha, Anushtubha and Pankti.
His chariot driver is Aruna. Two females typically flank him, representing the dawn goddesses Usha and Pratyusha. The goddesses are shown to be shooting arrows, symbolising their initiative to challenge the darkness. In other representations, these goddesses are Surya’s two wives, Samjna and Chhaya. He had two other wives according to some texts, Rajni and Prabha.
Surya is depicted with a Chakra, also interpreted as Dharmachakra. Surya is the lord of Simha (Leo), one of the twelve constellations in the zodiac system of Hindu astrology.
Surya is often shown with weapons like Wand, Trisula, Chakra, Gada and Conch Shell.
In the Hindu calendar, Surya or Ravi is the basis of Ravivara or Sunday. Major festivals and pilgrimages in reverence for Surya include Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Samba Dashami, Ratha Saptami, Chath puja, and Kumbha Mela.
Konark Sun Temple and Modhera Sun Temple are some of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Surya.
