Surya

Surya is the Sun God in Hinduism and a central figure in Indian religious and cultural traditions. The name derives from Sanskrit sūrya, meaning “sun,” and is used for both the celestial body and the deity. In various traditions Surya is identified with Savitr and is sometimes included among the Adityas, the solar deities. As a god of light and life, Surya is described as traveling across the sky in a chariot drawn by seven horses, or in some depictions by a single horse with seven heads; his rays symbolize daylight and vitality.

Iconography typically presents Surya riding a sun-chariot across the heavens, often with a lotus in hand and a halo of light. In some myths he is escorted by Aruna, the charioteer. The imagery emphasizes dawn, illumination, and the sustaining power of the sun, linking Surya to health, growth, and justice in ritual contexts.

Worship and practice focus on the sun’s daily cycle and its larger cultural significance. The Gayatri Mantra addresses Savitr, a solar aspect associated with Surya, and is recited at dawn in pursuit of wisdom and enlightenment. In yoga, Surya Namaskar (sun salutations) is a widely practiced sequence honoring the sun. Surya temples and iconography are found across South Asia, with prominent sites such as the Konark Sun Temple in India.

In astronomy, Surya denotes the Sun, the star at the center of the Solar System. Indian astronomical treatises, including early works like the Surya Siddhanta, contributed to medieval cosmology and calculation. In modern usage, Surya is a common given name and surname in India and Nepal, reflecting the deity’s enduring cultural presence.