Sun Worship :Three Forms: Natural, Symbolic, Imagery
Right from the primitive times the practice of Sun worship has been continuing down the ages, archaeological and literary sources indicate that Surya, was worshipped in India from very early times in three forms:
Natural as in form of Nature worship; Surya Namaskar and Surya Pooja. This is evident even today with people practicing Yoga and getting back to Surya namaskar as their source of energy.
Symbolic ; commonly used symbol were a wheel, round golden plate or a lotus flower the most common being the solar wheel. These symbols are also evident on several coins of Indo Greek rulers.
Imagery ; Surya in human forms was not also very late in making its appearance in Indian art. The sun God is seen seated, riding on one wheeled chariot drawn by four horses on an upright of the stone railing at Bodhgaya. The Rigvedic description seems to have been the basis of such representation. The Buddhist cave at Bhaja 1 C B.C. and Lala bhagat Pillar Kanpur 2 C A.D , Khandgiri at Orissa are the earliest examples. In the later period a few more centers of Sun worship developed at Dashrathpur Malwa 436AD, Kashmir 8th Century, Modhera 11th century in Gujarat which are World Famous.
Most of the temples are constructed eastern faced to derive maximum solar energy and positivity from the Sun.
Sun is our source of energy, our existence and our strength.
Dr. Sushma Ahuja
Natural as in form of Nature worship; Surya Namaskar and Surya Pooja. This is evident even today with people practicing Yoga and getting back to Surya namaskar as their source of energy.
Symbolic ; commonly used symbol were a wheel, round golden plate or a lotus flower the most common being the solar wheel. These symbols are also evident on several coins of Indo Greek rulers.
Imagery ; Surya in human forms was not also very late in making its appearance in Indian art. The sun God is seen seated, riding on one wheeled chariot drawn by four horses on an upright of the stone railing at Bodhgaya. The Rigvedic description seems to have been the basis of such representation. The Buddhist cave at Bhaja 1 C B.C. and Lala bhagat Pillar Kanpur 2 C A.D , Khandgiri at Orissa are the earliest examples. In the later period a few more centers of Sun worship developed at Dashrathpur Malwa 436AD, Kashmir 8th Century, Modhera 11th century in Gujarat which are World Famous.
Most of the temples are constructed eastern faced to derive maximum solar energy and positivity from the Sun.
Sun is our source of energy, our existence and our strength.
Dr. Sushma Ahuja
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