SURYA, the Sun God is represented holding a lotus (padma) in each hand and is accompanied by his two wives Pratyusha, the goddess of twilight, and Usha, the goddess of dawn who drives away the darkness with her arrows. The god stands in samabhanga posture and has a circular halo. He wears elaborate ornaments including a ratna mukuta, hara, yajnopavita, udarabandha, katibandha, as well as rings, bracelets, armlets and earrings. The torana comprises two pilasters with elaborate mouldings, each surmounted by a makara and rider from which three bands of decoration on either side spring to form a pointed arch with a kirtimukha at the apex.

Apart from the seperate temples dedicated to Surya, he is also included in the Pancayatana system whereby the five priniple Hindu deities, Visnu, siva, Durga, Ganse and Surya are installed in one central and four subsidiary shrines. Although Surya was still a major deity in the 12th and 13th centuries his importance began to diminish after this period. Hoysala representations of Surya break from conventional iconography in the frequent absence of his seven horses and charioteer Aruna, and of his characteristic tall boots.

Hassan, India - mid 13th century
Metamorphosed impure limestone

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