Arasavalli Sun Temple

Along with Konark, Modhera, Arasavalli is one of the famous Sun Temples in India,and there is one more in Aurangabad,Bihar too. The place was originally called Harshavalli, and later got corrupted to Arasavalli.

Surya is worshipped as Sri Suryanarayana Swamy at Arasavalli, and the main deity is made of black stone. It is believed that the deity here was installed by Maharshi Kashyapa as per the Padma Purana.

It is believed that whoever worships Surya Bhagavan at Arasavalli, would be free from all difficulties, and return much happier. Reason this place was originally called as Harshavalli. Also a Mahabhaskara Kshetra. As per inscriptions, the Arasavalli Temple was believed to have been built by Devendra Verma of the Eastern Ganga dynasty around 545 AD. His succesor Devendra Verma I, donated the lands around to Brahmins,while Ananta Verma Chodaganga also donated land for Sri Kurmam.

When Sri Mukhalingam was the capital of the Eastern Gangas, two brothers Ippilli Akanna, Surappa met the king Devendra Verma, and told him that Surya Bhagavan appeared in the dream and told them to build a temple there. Pleased with their devotion and knowledge, the king appointed these 2 brothers as the Archakas for the temple. The current Archakas in Arasavalli are believed to have been the descendants of these Ipilli brothers.

The Arasavalli temple was twice destroyed during Muslim invasions, once by Hazrath Quli Qutub Shah in 1599, and another time by Sher Muhd Khan, the subedar of the region under Nizam in the 16th century. One of the pandits hid the main deity in a well.

The Arasavalli temple was again rebuilt this time in typical Kalinga architecture. One interesting feature is that every morning the Sun rays directly touch the main deity twice a year, during which time, lot of devotees visit it. And Ratha Saptami sees large crowds here.

As per Sthala Purana, it's believed that when Balarama visited this place during the Theertha Yatra, the people of Kalinga suffering from drought, requested him to help. Using his plough, Balarama dug deep to bring water to the suffering people. Since the water sprung from the plough, the river was called as Nagavali( Nagam in Telugu meaning plough). Balarama built 5 temples one of which was the Umarudra Koteswara Swami Temple in Srikakulam town,one of the older Shiva temples in Andhra.

When Indra tried to visit the Shiva Linga, Nandi stopped him saying it was not the right time. In the ensuing scuffle, Nandi strongly struck Indra, who fell far apart and lost all his powers. On praying to Surya, he advised Indra to dig where he had fallen with his Vajra. It's believed that the deities of Surya along with Usha, Chhaya and Padmini were found there. And the temple is believed to have been built by Indra himself. The place where he fell is called as Indra Pushkarini.

The rays of the morning sun falling on the main deity in Arasavalli happens on Ratha Saptami, and twice during Uttarayana between March 9-12 and Dakshinayana between October 1-4. Many devotees throng to the temple to visit this divine sight.

The Kshetrapalaka of Arasavalli is Ramalingeswara Swamy along with Bhuvaneshwari Devi, so apart from Ratha Saptami, Mahashivaratri is also celebrated on a grand scale here.

The entrance to Arasavalli temple has a large sculpture of Surya on a chariot drawn by 7 horses. Also there are 3stone inscriptions describing the temple's history.

Arasavalli can be easily reached from Vishakapatnam, the nearest airport, around 106 Km away. And is very much a part of Srikakulam town too. So next time you are in Vizag do plan a visit here. One of the few Surya Bhagavan temples in India, where prayers are still offered to him, surrounded by green paddy fields, Arasavalli is worth a visit,especially if you are in Vizag or visiting there.