Sun Temples in India :

Sun has been revered since Vedic age with many hymns written for the celestial body. It is worshipped as Aditya or Surya under Hinduism. There are many rituals in practice for worshipping the deity. Many temples have also been constructed with Sun as the chief deity. Sun Temples are even found in Japan, Egypt, China etc. Some of the Rajput clans namely "Suryavanshi" worship Sun and claim themselves to be the descendants of the deity.

Some of the major sun temples in India are- 

* Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat - It was built in 11th century.

* Konark Sun Temple, Odisha - It was made by Narasimhadeva 1, the Eastern Ganga King in 13th century. It is in a shape of "Rath" with mandapa on a raised platform.

* Brahmanya Dev Temple, Unao ( Madhya Pradesh)

* Suryanaar Kovil, Kumbakonam (Tamilnadu) was built in 11th century in Dravidian style. It has shrines of sun god and eight other celestial bodies, together called 'Navagraha'. It has beautiful five -layered Gopuram.

* Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Arasavalli ( Andhra Pradesh)- It is said to be made by a Kalinga King in 7th century. The idol is made of granite and holds a lotus.

* Dakshinaarka Temple, Gaya (Bihar)- is said to be built by king Prataparudra of Warangal in 13th century AD. The deity is made in granite and the idol wears Persian attire like waist girdle, boots and a jacket. It has a Surya Kund nearby.

* Navalakha Temple, Ghumli ( Gujarat)- was made in 11th century. It is built in Solanki and Maru-Gurjara style. It faces east and is built on a large platform.

* Surya Pahar Temple, Goalpara (Assam)

* Martand Sun Temple, Kashmir