Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Arasavalli, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh

The holy temple of Bhagavan Suryanarayana Swamy is perhaps the only Sun Temple in the entire Coromandel 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 Dwapariyuga brought the river Nagavali along with 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, and 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, touched Lord Indra with his innumerable rays, and got back his strength and relief from pain. He was 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 serving the relief giving Sun God.

After taking a holy dip in the Pushkarini, they turn towards the temple and open their eyes and what do they see. Lord Surya’s idol before then in all its great splendor and clad in golden colored angavastra. Crown studded with rare diamonds, hands with Abhaya Mudra wide open eyes filled with karuna, ear rings, studded with diamonds, grave and but graceful face. His very Darshan assumes fulfillment of all desires in the world. The very temple was conceived and constructed by Viswakarma, the divine architect.

Pingala and Mathara are the doorkeepers of the Temple. Anura is the Sun God’s chariot driver. Thirteen more angles lustily cheer the Sun God. Sanaka, Sanandana and other sages offer him Vinjamara Seva. Sage Narada and others sing the glory of the God. Devaguru Bruhaspati and other chant Vedas. Thus, Lord Indra himself consecrated the Sun God in Arasavalli. Such is the glory and greatness of this temple.

Pushkarini

The Sun God said granted his wish and vanished. Indra dug with his ‘Vajrayudha’ and formed a pond, which is known as Indra Pushkarini. Even today, Devotees feel that they can attract the Grace of Lord Surya if they offer their prayers after taking a dip in the Pushkarini. After taking a holy dip in the Pushkarini, they turn towards the temple, 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.