Sun Temple at Nirath In Himachal Pradesh

 

 

 

Why this is important?

• The one and only Sun temple in North India.

 

Where is that located in Himachal?

• Sun Temple dedicated to Surya Bhagavan is located in Nirath, about 48 kms from Narkanda on National Highway 22, in Himachal Pradesh.

 

Nirath is located next to what river?

• Nirath is a small beautiful village located on the left bank of Satluj river.

 

Who does this temple belong to?

• The Sun Temple in Nirath is dedicated to the Surya Narayan, Surya Deva or (Sun God) and the deity Chhaya the Surya Dev’s Spouse. Although there is no definitive construction date, surveys by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) suggest that it should have been built before the 12th century.

 

Chhaya Devi Temple in Nirath:

• The temple complex also has a shrine dedicated to Chhaya Devi, Surya’s spouse, enclosed in a frontier wall of its own. There is a havan kund in the courtyard with beautiful woodwork around it. Devotees can only see the goddess Chhaya Devi when she went out in procession with Surya during the festival. However, this is a rare case since this divine couple does not come out of Nirath, unlike other gods who go to visit their loved ones in other villages fairly frequently.

Stories associated with this temple:

• The natives of Nirath, a village that remains largely untouched by the western influence, people here remain rooted to their culture and traditions when it comes to food, attire, and celebration, believe the temple was built under the leadership of Lord Parashurama.
• Another legend says that the Pandavas (during the Mahabharata era) stayed here during their period of exile, and the temple may have been constructed by them.

 

Architecture of Temple:

• The temple is constructed in the unique shape of Nagara out of red sandstone.
• The beautifully decorated cornices and flowers carved on wooden pillars, the walls engraved with divinities on red sandstone testify to the artistic magnificence of the temple. The temple courtyard has many stone idols of Vedic gods and goddesses, including a host of Shiva Lingas.

 

Sculptures on the Nirath Sun Temple:

• There are many beautiful sculptures in the temple, remarkable among which are those of Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi on their mount Garuda and depiction of Kalyanasundara, or the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
• A number of old Shivling made in the stone rescued from the dam and nearby road construction sides are preserved in the temple courtyard. The largest among them is the Bhootnath Shivling, brought to the temple in 1962 AD.

Nirath Sun Temple Sanctum Sanctorum:

• The sanctum Sanctorum contains a black stone matte of Surya riding a chariot pulled by seven horses. Surya has two full blown lotuses in his hands. The ornamental stone torana has five niches, each enshrining a deity. The sculptures of Surya and Shiva-Vishnu on two sides of the mandapa are of a particular iconographic value.
• The Harihara or Shiva – Vishnu sculpture at Nirath measures 50X100 cm and is a unique piece of medieval art where the standing image has four hands, of which two hold the trident and a rosary of Shiva and two the discus and conch of Vishnu. The mount of Shiva, Nandi, is carved on the right and mount of Vishnu, Garuda, is carved on the left.

 

Festival:

• Badi Diwali is the famous Nirth Fair. The people of the close village come to see the fair. It comes every year in the month of December.
• Lord Ganesh is the disciple of Suya Dev. Lord Ganesh comes from a Majhvati village in his palanquins.
• Lord Ganesh dances to the beat of drums and melodies from other musical instruments.
• On the shoulders of its devotees, its colorful palanquin oscillates from top to bottom and from left to right. These palanquins are not very large or with sheathing, these are open at, just like large stools with four horizontal wooden posts to be worn by devotees.
• But these are nicely decorated with red clothes for the most part. On the top rested the main idol of the face of Deity made of eight different metals. This one is profoundly decorated with garlands of scented flowers and coins, various ornaments, golden crown and with a gold umbrella.

(Source: Himachal Tourism and thenewshimachal)

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