Suryanarayana Temple (Sun Temple), Gollala Mamidada, Andhra Pradesh, India

**You are more than welcome to take selfies or photos outside the temple and with the temple's exterior. However, you can't photograph inside and we have to respect the temple authorities wishes.** 

As written in my previous article, Gollala Mamidada is renowned for two historic and popular temples in East Godavari district the state of Andhra Pradesh.

1. Kodandarama Temple ( https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2022/01/kodandarama-temple-gollala-mamidada.html)

2. Suryanarayana Temple

Suryanarayana Temple (Sun temple) is built around 1920's. In this temple, Lord Surya is worshiped in the Vishnuroopam(i.e.., in the Vishnu avatar). The walls of the temple are intricately carved with paintings depicting surya namaskaras. The east-facing "gopuram" or the entrance tower is around 150 ft. in height and has nine (9) stories with five (5) "kalasams" on top of the tower.

"Kalasams" are inverted pot made of metal or stone with a pointed head facing towards the sky which is a symbol of Hindu temples.

Ratha Saptami, a Hindu festival observed by all Hindus dedicated to Lord Surya and marks the birth of him to sage Kashyap and his wife Aditi. This festival is a symbolically celebrated of the change in season to spring and the start of the harvesting. According to several mythologies, This day represents Surya (Sun god) turning his "Ratha" or Chariot with seven horses towards the northern hemisphere esp., north-eastern direction.

The temple is located at a distance around 20- 25 km from Kakinada, 45-55 km from Rajahmundry and around 180 km from Visakhapatnam.

District: East Godavari

Stay Safe and Have fun exploring the Blog, Until my next article ….👋👋

Here is the link of the List of other temples I visited along with this temple . 

Check it out https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2022/01/east-godavari-andhra-pradesh-india.html

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