Arasavalli Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple
Arasavalli Sun Temple
The Sun god's own shrine, facing him at dawn every single day of the year.
⭐ Why it is famous
One of only two temples in India built so that the sanctum faces the rising sun directly, lighting up the deity's feet on Ratha Saptami and Magha Saptami. The Rekha-deula tower reflects strong Kalinga influence from the temple's Eastern Ganga origins.
📜 Pilgrimage history
Tradition holds the shrine was built in the 7th century CE by the Eastern Ganga king Devendra Varma; the current structure is largely the result of 18th-century renovation under local Zamindars, and it remains one of the few dedicated Surya temples surviving in India.
🕰️ Temple timings
- 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🙏 Darśan details
- Free general darshan; no separate ticketed queue on ordinary days
- Special crowds gather for Ratha Saptami dawn darshan
- Simple dhoti/saree dress code is encouraged inside the sanctum
🚉 Location & getting there
📍 Arasavalli Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Arasavalli, SrikakulamSrikakulam Road (CHE) — 12 km
Arasavalli bus stand — state transport buses stop here.
Visakhapatnam Airport (VTZ) — 105 km
Arasavalli is 2 km from Srikakulam town on the Srikakulam–Kalingapatnam road, well served by APSRTC buses and autos.
🪔 Poojas, sevās & tickets
This temple does not publish a rate list. Darśan is free; ārcanā, abhiṣeka and other sevās are booked at the counter inside the temple on the day.
🧭 Around the temple
Places to see besides the temple — tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Budget lodges and APTDC rooms in Srikakulam town
- Mid-range hotels near Srikakulam bus stand
₹ Indicative trip cost (per head, 2 days)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₹2,200 | ₹4,200 | ₹7,500 |
🛕 Nearby temples
📌 Other attractions nearby
- Kalingapatnam beach
- Srikakulam town market
🧵 Part of these circuits
📅 Best time to visit
October–February, or Ratha Saptami (Jan/Feb) for the sunrise alignment