Srikakulam Part 2 ---- Arasavalli---- Sun God---- journey to Harshavalli ---joy of Happiness

Route: Vizag (MVP colony )--- Srikakulam

NH—16 & 5

Vehicle: Honda Activa

Trip members :2

Temple timings: 6am-12:30pm  & 3:30 -8:30 pm

Date of travel:  9^th June 2016 (Wednesday)

Trip plan !!!!!

To cover Arsavalli, Srikurmam, Srimukhalingam, Tekali Yendala Mallikarjuna Swamy

Journey  from Vizag to Srikakulam on Honda Activa !!!!!

“Harshavalli”, now changed to Arasavalli is called as abode of happiness.

We reached Arasavalli village which is a kilometer away from East of Srikakulam town bus stop. The temple is believed to be built in 7^th century by Kalingan rulers, but it looks to be new after the renovations & paintings done by the temple authorities, which takes out the sheen of ancient temple.The temple is said to be built by the Kalingan rulers of odissa Devendra Varma  in 7^th century AD.The main temple spire resembles the Kalingan architecture.

majorly used as exit way but locales use as entry way too

                                         

The presiding deity is Lord Sun, who is also known as Pratyaksha daivam in local Language (Telugu) which literally means the Lord who is visible to our naked eyes daily and he is the ultimate source for existence of life on earth.

Lord here houses with his consorts Usha, Chaya, Padmini carved on same stone of main idol of Lord Sun. The Sun God is depicted as riding over a chariot drawn by Anura, the Radhasaradhy with seven horses.  All these figures are exquisitely carved out of a single black finely polished granite stone. At the base we can see Mathara & Pingala dwarapalakas, at top two divine saint sankara & sandana holding chariots (umbrellas). The idol of Lord Sun here has mustache.

                 

Inside temple premises

                               

The Arasavalli temple of the Suryanarayana Swami is a Panchayatana temple with the Sun god in the centre, surrounded by the deities of Ganesh, Shiva, Parvati and Vishnu. They are known by the names of Aditya, Ambica, Vishnu, Ganesha and Maheswara (shiva). 

Temple brief history!!!!

According to padmapurana sage kashyapa installed the idol here.Hence sun is kashyapa gotra.The Indra king of gods attempted to force entry to ride a koteeshwara Swamy (Siva) at untimely hour and was thrown away by nandi.For   the pain relief Indra installed Surya here and worshipped him.

Temple main entrance

Seven horses of Sun Chariot!!!!

The seven horses yoked to the sun-god’s chariot are named as Gayatri,Bruhathi, Ushnik, Jayathi, Dhrushtup, Anushtup , Bhakthi.

Unique feature of this temple!!!

The temple was built in such a way that the early morning rays of the sun fall on the feet of the deity twice a year, in March and in October, i.e on march 9,10,11 during Utharayanum & in the month of  September 9,10,11 during Dakshinayanum ,It occurs only at 6am to 6:20 am .. The sun rays touch the presiding deity directly through 5th entrance gate  of the Temple   & stay for few minutes...

Significance of temple!!!!

 This is perhaps the only Sun Temple in the entire Coramandal Coast since the Konark Temple on the Orissa Coast always remained an incomplete and unfinished project. People who are unfortunate enough to suffer from  skin diseases visit the Temple and offer their prayers to Sun God. They believe that the God is essentially a God of Health & wealth  ,Prayers offered to him would heal their sickness and gives them happiness & wealth, hence the name Harshavalli (abode of happiness)

Quick Info!!!!!

• Even though cameras & phones are allowed inside, it is strictly forbidden to take photographs inside the temple.
• Trains available from Hyderabad ---  Konark express , east coast express, Falaknuma Express, Visakha Express.
• Vizag to srikakulam distance is 118 kms.
• From Arsavalli srikurmam is 16kms.
• Accomadation at srikakulam ,best hotels are provided for tourists.