Common questions about IAS, our mission, and how you can be part of this spiritual movement.
In India, idol worship and Sun temples developed gradually over many centuries. Sun worship is much older than the surviving Sun temples.
- Vedic period (c. 1500–500 BCE): The Sun was worshipped through hymns, prayers, and fire rituals. Surya was an important Vedic deity.
- Early centuries BCE–CE: Images of Hindu deities became increasingly important in religious art and worship.
- Kushan period (c. 1st–3rd century CE): Surya images became prominent in parts of northern India, often showing influences from Central Asian artistic traditions.
- Gupta period (c. 4th–6th century CE): Hindu temple architecture and image worship expanded significantly.
- Medieval period (c. 7th–13th century CE): Important Sun temples were built across India
According to science: The Sun was born approximately 4.6 billion years ago from a giant cloud of gas and dust.
According to Hindu mythology: Surya Dev is the son of Sage Kashyapa and Goddess Aditi. His birth is described in Hindu scriptures, but no exact historical date is given.
According to Hindu mythology, the enmity between the Devas (gods) and Asuras (often called demons) has no single starting date.
- Origin: The Devas are associated with Aditi, while the Daityas are associated with Diti; both are wives of Sage Kashyapa in Hindu tradition.
- Conflict: Their rivalry appears in various ancient Hindu scriptures, including the Vedas and Puranas.
- Aditi's penance: In the Bhagavata Purana (Canto 8), Aditi performs penance after the Asuras defeat her sons, the Devas, and take control of their kingdom.
Nights become longer and days become shorter during autumn and winter.
- In the Northern Hemisphere (including India): Days shorten and nights lengthen after the June summer solstice, reaching their longest night around the December winter solstice (21–22 December).
- After the December solstice: Days gradually become longer and nights shorter.
According to science: This happens because Earth's axis is tilted about 23.5° as Earth revolves around the Sun.
Days increase and nights decrease in India after the winter solstice (around 21–22 December).
- Winter solstice: Shortest day and longest night.
- After the winter solstice: Days gradually become longer and nights shorter.
- Summer solstice (around 21 June): Longest day and shortest night.
Types of diseases caused by the Sun:
1. Sunburn – Skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
2. Skin cancer – Increased risk from excessive UV exposure.
3. Cataracts – Eye damage associated with long-term UV exposure.
4. Heatstroke – Dangerous overheating due to high temperatures.
5. Dehydration – Excessive loss of water through sweating.
6. Heat exhaustion – Weakness, dizziness, and heavy sweating due to heat.