Sun worship in India dates back to ancient times. Sun Worship is a ritual followed by thousands of devotees in Hindu Religion. Most Hindus start their day by worshipping the sun God. It is believed that worshipping this God gives energy and good health, which inturn leads to Money and prosperity. References to sun worship are found in Vedas and Puranas. All living beings on the face of earth get their life force only due the rays of sun. Hindus therefore worship Sun as the life giver of the entire universe and witness of all actions. The Hindu Calender has the first day of the week is named after the sun god. In legends the Sun God is portrayed as seated on a chariot drawn by seven horses. He is said to be the son of Aditi and Kashyapa. Some other names of this Sun God( Surya Dev) are Suraj, Aditya, Ravi, Bhaskara and Bhanu.

The Sun is the lord of the Zodiac Sign Leo. The sun stays one month in each Zodiac and takes 365 days or 1 year to complete an orbit of the 12 signs. Surya exalts in the sign of Aries and falls in the sign of Libra. The Sun is beneficial for those born under the zodiac signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. According to Indian Astrology a well-located Sun in horoscope indicates intelligence, good health, confidence, leadership qualities, courage, strength, independence, fame, success, power, vitality and straight forwardness in an individual. But an ill-placed Sun could mean ill health, lack of endurance, low vitality, fear and dependency. However an overly strong or poor placement of the Sun may bring in some negative qualities in people. Sun Worship is very helpful for those who face problems, hurdles and misfortune in their lives. It is also said to be helpful in curing diseases like eye problems, leprosy, heart problems, nervous disorders, asthma etc. To get the benefits of Sun one can observe fast on Sundays and take salt free food.

The sun is the chief of all Navagrahas, the 9 planet-gods and is represented by the number one. The gemstone and metal associated with this planet is gold and Ruby. The sun is especially worshiped on “Makara Sankaranthi” day which falls in the month of January. There are several temple dedicated to Sun some of them are the Sun Temple at Konark, DakshinaarkaTemple in Gaya, Suryanar Kovil in Tamilnadu and SuryanarayanaTemple at Arasavilli are some of them.The Gayatri Mantra, one of the most sacred of Hindu Mantras is dedicated to the Sun. Apart from this many Shiva temples also have shrines dedicated to the Sun God.

OM GHRINI SURYA ADITYA OM

OM HRAM HREEM HROUM SAH SURYAYA NAMAH

Surya Dyana Mantra

Dvibhujam padma hastam caratham makutanvitam
Dhyayeddivakaram Devam Sarva bhista pradayakam

Surya Sloka by Ved Vyasa

Japakusuma Sankasam
Kasyapeyam mahadyutim
Tamorim Sarva papaghnam
Pranatosmi Divakaram ||

Gayathri Mantras of sun

'OM Bhaskaraya Vidmahe

Mahadyutikaraya Dhimahi

Tanno Adityah Pracodayat'

'OM Bhaskaraya Vidmahe

Jyotiskaraya dhimahI

Tanno Adityah Pracodayat'

'OM Divakaraya Vidmahe

Maha dyutikaraya dhimahi

Tanno Adityah Pracodayat'

'OM Adityaya Vidmahe

Sahasra Kiranaya dhimahi

Tanno bhanuh Pracodayat'

'OM Tat Bhaskaraya Vidmahe

Prabhakaraya dhimahi

Tanno bhanuh Pracodayat'

'OM Bhaskaraya Vidmahe

Divakaraya dhimahi

Tanno Suryah Pracodayat'

'OM Prabhakaraya Vidmahe

Divakaraya dhimahi

Tanno Suryah Pracodayat'

'OM Adityaya Vidmahe

Martandaya dhimahi

Tanno Suryah Pracodayat'

'OM Asvadhvajaya Vidmahe

Pasahastaya dhimahi

Tanno Suryah Pracodayat'

'OM Bhaskaraya Vidmahe

Sahasra rasmaye dhimahi

Tanno Suryah Pracodayat'

'OM Asvadhvajaya Vidmahe

Padmahastaya dhimahi

Tanno Suryah Pracodayat'