Sun Temple, Deo, Bihar

Sun Temple, Deo, Bihar

Sun Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Surya, located in the town of Deo in Aurangabad District of Bihar, India. It is one of the most popular temples in Bihar.

Legends

It is said that once Lord Vishwakarma was told to build temples in one night. As per instruction, he built this temple in one night.

History

The Temple is believed to have been built by Bhairvendra Singh, a Chandravanshi king of Umga.

The Temple

The Temple is unique as it faces west, the setting sun not the usual rising sun. The Sanctum follows Nagara style architecture. The Tower is about 100 feet high. The frontal porch and the courtyard is built in later period. The Sanctum houses three idols namely Vishnu, Surya and Avalokitesawara. These idols are not the original presiding deity. The frontal porch houses three broken idols. It is not the custom to worship a broken deity. One of the broken sculptures is of Surya (the Sun God) sculpture with seven horses, other is Uma – Maheswara idol and another is of Vishnu.

There is also one Shivalinga and a Ganesha sculpture. An inscription can be found in the interior walls of the Temple. The Surya Kund is about a Km away where the offerings for the rituals are made. The two tanks on either side of the road, known as Rudra Kund (left) and Surya Kund (Right) are believed to cure leprosy and other acute ailments. Ruins of an ancient fort built by king Raja Jagannath Singh can be seen near this Temple.

Festivals

This temple is considered very auspicious to visit on the festival of Chath Puja / Adra Nakshatra Tithi on Sundays.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Aurangabad, 17 Kms from Aurangabad Bus Stand, 38 Kms from Son Nagar Junction Railway Station, 79 Kms from Gaya and 149 Kms from Patna Airport. The Grand Trunk Road (National Highway 19) from Kolkata to Delhi passes near Deo. It connects Deo to Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Rourkela, Durgapur, Kolkata, Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Delhi and Amritsar. Deo is connected to Patna by National Highway 22 (formerly NH 83), and to Nawada, Rajgir and Bihar Sharif by NH 170.

Location