Surya

Surya, the Sun-god, is one of the most important Vedic solar deities. During the early Kushana period, the cult of Sun-worship absorbed many Iranian forms in which the Sun-god was represented wearing northern dress, comprised of a long coat, often armoured, trousers and high boots. The cult of Surya remained very popular and the god was later revered as the constituent of the Navagraphas.

In Nepal, the cult of Sun-worship appears to have been prevalent much earlier than previously thought. Three early images of Solar Divinity found in the Valley, which remained controversial for their proper identification, have recently been identified by the author (Bangdel 1782, Pls. 81, 84 and 86) as Solar Divinities datable to the 3rd-4th century A.D. The Tehbahal inscription of A.D. 480 shows that the cult of Sun-worsliip was already in vogue in Nepal in the 5th century A.D. During tlie Licchairi, Thakuri, Malla and Shah periods, worship of the Sun-god remained quite popular. The presence of a large number of Surya images found in the Valley attest to its popularity.

In the early Nepalese representation, Surya was shown standing or sitting alone, and in some cases he was represented sitting on a chariot drawn by seven horses with Aruna as charioteer. In both versions he was shown wearing either dhoti or northern dress which can be traced back to 1rani;ln influence. One such Surya image was found at Suryakunda at Shikhara Narayana in Pharping (PI. 40). The base of the relief was submerged in water, but the entire relief was fairly visible. In this circular relief Surya, the Sun-god, was delineated seated under a canopy on a decorated throne occupying the central position. He was flanked by other divinities whose identification was difficult to establish, owing to the abrasion of the relief. Aruna, the charioteer, driving the seven horses, was sitting in front of Surya. This charming sculpture was stolen in March, 1985. Only the rectangular base of the image was left behind as seen in the photograph (PI. 41).

PUBLISHED
Pratapditya Pal and Dipak Chandra Bhattacharya.
The Astral Divinities of Nepal, Prithvi Praashan
(Vanarashi 1969) Fig. 6.