Lord Surya ( The Sun God )
Paramar Dynasty,9th Century AD
Lord Surya is unique to Hindu pantheon. Surprisingly although the Vedic people worshipped the elements of Nature, the Rain, the wind, fire and water, they did not worship the Sun. It is in 1st AD that the Sun god is imported into India from Iran during the Kushan period. Unlike the other Hindu Gods, He wears leather boots, and has a square crown. But like Lord Vishnu, He holds lotus in his hands. But instead of sitting comfortably, He is shown either squatting (as in this sculpture ) or standing as in the Konark temple.
His seven horses symbolise the seven days of the week; the twelve wheels of His chariot symbolise the twelve months of the year.
Later on, He loses his identity as an independent God. He is fused with Lord Vishnu and is called Suryanarayan. According to Brahma Puran, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are His manifestations. Valmiki in his Ramayan has written a beautiful hymn about Surya, called the Surya Upasana.
The Sun god was worshipped in all the great civilisations of the ancient world, as He is the sustainer of life. With solar power as a renewable source of energy, He continues to be essential for us as well.
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