Today is Ratha Saptami
Kalgi Suryanarayana Temple is located at Kalgi village in Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) district, Karnataka. Kalgi is an ancient settlement that houses a group of early medieval temples, indicating that it was once an important religious centre during the Chalukya period. The village setting, surrounded by temple ruins, reflects its past spiritual prominence.
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Suryanarayana, the Sun God, worshipped as the source of light, life, health, and cosmic order. In Hindu tradition, Lord Surya is considered the visible form of divinity who sustains all beings and upholds dharma. Devotees traditionally worship Surya for physical well-being, clarity of mind, authority, and inner strength.
The temple was constructed around the 11th–12th century CE during the rule of the Kalyana Chalukyas and follows the Karnata Dravida architectural style. Built using black stone (schist), the temple consists of a garbhagriha, sabha mantapa, and mukha mantapa. Though now in ruins, the remaining pillars, wall mouldings, and sculptural fragments reflect the refined craftsmanship and balanced proportions typical of Chalukyan temple architecture.
Kalgi flourished as a religious hub under the Western Chalukyas, particularly during the reign of Vikramaditya VI. Inscriptions found in and around Kalgi mention temple patronage and land grants, showing the village’s importance in the religious life of the region. The Suryanarayana Temple formed part of a larger sacred complex that included temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, highlighting the integrated worship traditions of the time.
According to local belief and oral tradition, Kalgi was once a land affected by darkness, drought, and illness. The sages living in the region performed intense Surya Tapas (penance to the Sun God) seeking relief for the people.
Pleased with their devotion, Lord Surya appeared in divine brilliance, blessing the land with sunlight, fertility, and health. It is believed that the Sun God instructed the sages to install his idol facing the rising sun so that his rays would directly bless the land and its people.
The place where Surya’s divine energy touched the earth became sacred, and the Suryanarayana Temple was established there. Devotees believe that worshipping here helps cure eye problems, skin diseases, and chronic illnesses, and brings clarity in life decisions.
Lord Surya is the chief of the Navagrahas and represents authority, soul power, health, and discipline. Devotees believe that worshipping Suryanarayana helps reduce Surya Dosha, strengthens confidence, and brings stability in career and leadership-related matters. Sun temples are rare in South India, making Kalgi Suryanarayana Temple spiritually significant despite its present condition.
Today, the temple stands dilapidated, with partial collapse of walls and loss of structural elements. Many sculptures have weathered away due to neglect and natural exposure. Despite its architectural and religious importance, the temple awaits systematic conservation and restoration.
