The Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple, also located at G. Mamidada village, was set up by the philanthropist late Kovvuri Basivi Reddy in 1902. Apparently a charitable zamindar, helping people and building temples were his main goals.
This is the second famous Sun temple after Arasavilli in Srikakulam. The temple came under the endowments department in 1991. The temple owns 16 acres of wet land for its maintenance.
The rituals in this temple are performed in accordance with Vaishnava Sampradaya. Lord Sri Suryanarayana Swamy has seven horses yoked to his chariot. Since he shines with brilliant light having infinite rays, as he is the destroyer of darkness, the temple has coloured him so. He is the giver of happiness and prosperity and puts an end to suffering, people believe.
The Suryanarayana Swamy temple entered its 117th year on June 18, according to Rejeti Srinivasacharyalu, the fifth generation priest. His father, Rejeti Venkata Narasimhacharyalu, was not around. Lord Suryanarayana is in the Vishnu swaroopam and when he stands outside on the chariot, he has the ‘shankam’ and ‘chakra’ with him. The Sun temple in Konarak has the Sun God in Brahma swaroopam. At Arasavalli, the Sun God is in Shiva swaroopam.
Either towards the beginning or end of March and September, sun rays fall at the feet of the Lord Suryanarayana idol. “Those who are lucky can see this event. A tall building has been built across the temple, but still the sun rays fall at His feet. His face and feet glow because people worship him,” said Mr Srinivasacharyalu.
Though the temple is old, it does not have stone pillars or limestone structures, as is seen in old temples. Apparently, all this was changed some 70 years ago. The ancient feel comes from the tiles used across the temple. They are on floors, walls and the small lobby leading to the sanctum sanctorum. With no order in the laying of the tiles, it gives the temple a crowded and colourful look.
Shri Garudalwar is the kshetrapalakadu and as you enter the temple there are Lord Ganesha idols on either side. Tiles outside name those who have contributed towards building the temple. The positions of surya namaskaras are displayed on the walls at the entrance of the temple.
As you enter the sanctum sanctorum you pass through a narrow lobby filled with dark green tiles of peacocks, but you walk on white tiles that have a slight antiseptic feel.
There is a brand new colourful mandapam covering the old one where marriages are conducted. The gopuram has three storeys and has statues of gods, saints and sadhus.
