Surya · सूर्य

Surya is the Sun as a deity, worshipped at sunrise and on Sundays as the source of light, health and life.

Surya is the Sun and the solar deity of Hinduism, called also Ravi, Aditya, Bhaskara and Savita. He is shown riding a chariot drawn by horses, often seven, with Aruna as his charioteer. His wives are Sanjna and Chhaya, and his children include Yama, Yami, Shani and, in the Mahabharata, Karna. Sunday, Ravivar, is named after him.

Surya is worshipped by offering water (arghya) to the rising sun, and festivals such as Makar Sankranti and Chhath are devoted to him. The Aditya Hridayam, the hymn the sage Agastya taught Ram before his battle with Ravana, is the best-known Sanskrit prayer to him. Famous sun temples include Konark and Modhera. Practice varies by region and family.