Arasavalli Sun Temple (Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple)
Surya as Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple · Arasavalli, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India
The Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple at Arasavalli is a temple of Surya, the Sun god, in Srikakulam district on the north coast of Andhra Pradesh. The Srikakulam district administration places it about 1 km east of Srikakulam town and describes it as one of the oldest of the two Sun temples in India.
The temple is best known for two things: the sunrise that, twice a year, falls directly on the feet of the deity, and Ratha Saptami, the Sun god's festival in the month of Magha, which draws very large crowds. All India Radio reported in 2026 that the Ratha Saptami festival here has been declared a state festival of Andhra Pradesh.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Arasavalli Sun Temple (Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple)
Surya is the presiding deity here, which is rare among Indian temples. Wikipedia counts it among the major surviving Sun temples in the country, alongside Konark in Odisha. The district administration notes that, according to the Padma Purana, the sage Kashyapa installed the image of Surya here for the welfare of humankind; for this reason, it says, Surya is regarded as belonging to the Kashyapa gotra and is called the king of the planets.
The temple's own sthalapurana, as given by the district administration, credits Devendra (Indra) with founding the temple and installing the present image. The story, as the district summarises it, begins with Indra trying to enter the shrine of Rudrakoteswara (Shiva) at an untimely hour and being kicked away by Nandi, the door-keeper.
The temple is also known for a solar alignment. Deccan Chronicle reported in 2017 that on 9–11 March and 1–3 October the first rays of the rising sun fall on the feet of the deity and gradually rise up the image, which it attributes to the temple's construction. Hundreds of devotees gather to watch, though clouds can prevent it, as happened that year. Wikipedia adds that the light enters even with the five entrance gates closed.
Heritage
History of Arasavalli Sun Temple (Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple)
Wikipedia, citing inscriptions on the temple walls, records that the temple was built by King Devendra Varma of the Eastern Ganga dynasty of Kalinga in the 7th century CE. Outlook Traveller also describes it as a 7th-century temple. The older structure later fell into disrepair, and according to Wikipedia it was rebuilt in 1778 by Elamanchili Pullaji Panthulu, so most of the present building dates from the 18th century.
In recent years the temple has received state attention. All India Radio reported in March 2026 that Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu had laid the foundation stone for the modernisation of the Indrapushkarini temple tank, with ₹4 crore sanctioned, and that a larger ₹58-crore development proposal under the PRASAD scheme had been prepared. The plans include a kitchen, dining halls, pilgrim accommodation and better roads, to be built in two phases.
Architecture and sacred features
Wikipedia describes the temple as built in the Rekha deula style of Kalinga architecture, the curvilinear tower style also seen at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The temple tank is called Indrapushkarini; All India Radio reported its modernisation in 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Very large crowds gather at Ratha Saptami, when devotees queue through the night, and on the mornings of the solar alignment in March and October. Special darshan arrangements and tickets have been used on festival days in the past. Confirm current timings, ticket arrangements and dress rules with the temple administration before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Arasavalli Sun Temple (Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple)
Ratha Saptami (Surya Jayanti)
Celebrated as the birthday of the Sun god and the temple's most important festival, per the district administration. Devotees receive the Nija Rupa darshan of the deity, which Deccan Chronicle reports is possible only on this day; the festival now has state-festival status.
Solar alignment (sun rays on the deity)
On three mornings in March and three in October the rising sun lights the feet of the deity, drawing crowds of devotees, per Deccan Chronicle.
Location
How to Reach Arasavalli Sun Temple (Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple)
According to the Srikakulam district administration, the nearest airport is Visakhapatnam, 117 km from Srikakulam, and the nearest railway station is Srikakulam Road, 9 km from the city on the Visakhapatnam–Bhubaneswar line. By road Srikakulam is 117 km from Visakhapatnam, 325 km from Bhubaneswar and 455 km from Vijayawada. Buses, taxis and autos run from the Srikakulam bus stand to Arasavalli, which the district puts at roughly 5 km by road.
Location: Arasavalli, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Nearest airport: Visakhapatnam (117 km from Srikakulam, per the district administration)
Nearest railway station: Srikakulam Road (9 km from Srikakulam, per the district administration)
More in Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh · Surya as Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temples · Temples in Srikakulam Mandal · Temples in Srikakulam District
Questions
Arasavalli Sun Temple (Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple): Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at Arasavalli?
Surya, the Sun god, worshipped as Sri Suryanarayana Swamy.
Who built the Arasavalli Sun Temple?
Wikipedia, citing inscriptions, credits the Eastern Ganga king Devendra Varma in the 7th century CE. Temple tradition credits Indra (Devendra) with founding it, and the present building is largely an 18th-century reconstruction.
When do the sun's rays fall on the Arasavalli deity?
Deccan Chronicle reports the first rays of the rising sun fall on the deity's feet on 9–11 March and 1–3 October, weather permitting.
When is Ratha Saptami at Arasavalli?
Ratha Saptami falls on the seventh day of the bright half of Magha, which the district administration places in February. It is the temple's main festival and is now a state festival of Andhra Pradesh.
What is Nija Rupa darshan?
On Ratha Saptami devotees are allowed to see the deity in its 'true form' (Nija Rupa), which, according to the district administration and Deccan Chronicle, is possible only on that day.
How do I reach Arasavalli Sun Temple?
Arasavalli is on the edge of Srikakulam town. The district administration gives Visakhapatnam airport as 117 km away and Srikakulam Road railway station as 9 km from the city, with buses, taxis and autos from the Srikakulam bus stand.
Sources and attribution
- District Administration, Srikakulam (Government of Andhra Pradesh) — Arasavilli
- District Administration, Srikakulam (Government of Andhra Pradesh) — Ratha Saptami Festival of Sun God, Arasavalli, Srikakulam
- All India Radio News (Prasar Bharati) — Civil Aviation Minister announces development plan for Arasavalli temple (22 March 2026)
- Deccan Chronicle — Visakhapatnam: Sunlight fails to fall on Lord's feet (10 March 2017)
- Deccan Chronicle — Arasavalli Sun Temple witnesses grand Ratha Sapthami (16 February 2024)
- Outlook Traveller — Srikakulam is ready for the vibrant Ratha Saptami festival (2021)
- Wikipedia — Arasavalli Sun Temple
Further reading: Arasavalli Sun Temple (Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple) on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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