Surya Narayana Temple is located in the small village of Narayan Chincholi in Pandharpur Taluka, Solapur District, Maharashtra. It is around 10 kilometers from Pandharpur, one of Maharashtra’s most famous pilgrimage towns, and about 65 kilometers from Solapur city. The temple is surrounded by rural beauty, and devotees often visit it along with a pilgrimage to Lord Vitthal’s temple in Pandharpur.
The temple is dedicated to Surya Narayana, the Sun God, who is worshipped here as a powerful and healing deity. The idol of Surya Bhagwan is placed in such a way that it receives the sun’s rays directly on specific days, symbolizing divine presence. Surya is shown seated on a chariot drawn by seven horses, representing light, energy, and time. Devotees believe that worshipping here can cure skin diseases, bring vitality, and help overcome planetary doshas (astrological problems).
The Surya Narayana Temple is believed to be centuries old and deeply rooted in local traditions and sun worship practices. Over time, the temple has gained attention due to the phenomenon of sun rays touching the idol during the festival, showing how earlier generations constructed temples based on the movement of celestial bodies.
The architecture of the Surya Narayana Temple is simple but spiritually significant. The temple is constructed in a way that allows the first rays of the rising sun to fall directly on the idol of Surya Bhagwan. This happens with precision during specific days of the year, especially during the Suryanarayan Kiranotsav festival. The sanctum is east-facing and slightly elevated. The temple is modest in size but built to align perfectly with solar positions, which reflects ancient Indian astronomical knowledge.
The Sthalapurana (spiritual lore) of the Surya Narayana Temple at Narayan Chincholi is deeply tied to the ancient practice of Surya Upasana—worship of the Sun God as the giver of life, health, and spiritual energy.
Long ago, this village was known as a peaceful hermitage where sages performed penance under the open sky. One such sage, Rishi Narayana, was a devout follower of Surya Bhagwan. It is said that he chose this place to meditate because of its perfect alignment with the sun’s path. He worshipped the rising sun every morning, offering water (Arghya) while chanting the Aditya Hridayam Stotra. His intense devotion pleased Surya Bhagwan, who appeared before him and granted a boon that the divine rays of the sun would eternally fall on this sacred spot.
Following this divine event, villagers began recognizing the site’s spiritual power. It is believed that people suffering from skin diseases, low energy, or chronic ailments started visiting this place and were cured through Surya worship and sun exposure. The belief grew that worshipping the Sun God at this very spot during specific days, when his rays touch the idol directly, grants health, spiritual purity, and relief from planetary doshas like Surya Dosha or Pitra Dosha.
Another legend tells of a king from the Yadava dynasty who, after losing his eyesight due to arrogance, was advised by sages to worship Surya at this sacred spot. After 41 days of offering prayers and Surya Namaskars at sunrise, the king’s eyesight was miraculously restored. In gratitude, he is believed to have built or renovated the original shrine.
The annual Kirnotsav is a continuation of this sacred connection, where the sun’s rays naturally fall on the idol of Surya Narayana during the early morning hours, believed to be the most divine moment to receive his blessings.
The most important festival celebrated at the Surya Narayana Temple is the Suryanarayan Kirtonav, which takes place during the Paush month (December–January). On specific days of this festival, the sun’s rays fall directly on the deity’s idol, attracting hundreds of devotees. The event is marked with special pujas, abhishekas, and recitations of Surya mantras. Another major festival is Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrian New Year, when the Surya Narayan Yatra is held. This includes a grand procession, temple rituals, cultural programs, and community feasts.