Surya Temple Ujire

Introduction to the Surya Temple

The Surya Temple is a unique temple of Shiva located in Ujire, Dakshina Kannada, near Dharmasthala. Even though the temple is formally called Sadashiva Rudra Devasthana, it is famous as Surya Temple among devotees. An offering of clay sculptures to the main deity is a unique temple custom.

Legend of the Surya Temple

There is an interesting legend behind the name of the temple. Once upon a time, a woman was chopping grass with her son in a paddy field. She suddenly hit a stone, and blood started to ooze from the stone. The scared woman cried out and called 'SUREYA.' This gradually became SURIYA and, finally, SURYA.

The Architecture of the Surya Temple

Mr. Laurie Honko, a world-famous folklore expert from Finland, surmised that the present age of the Surya Temple is 700 years with the help of folk literature and his analysis.

The old Surya Temple’s history dates back to the 13th century. Once upon a time, Banga kings ruled the place and contributed a lot to its development. People can see a small stone near the Nandeeshwara Idol with inscriptions that narrate the events even before the 13th century.

The Surya Temple features traditional coastal architecture with a tiled sloping roof. There is a small arch at the entrance. It has stucco images of Shiva and Parvati flanked by Nandi and a lion.

A tall Dhwaja Sthamba (flagstaff) is in front of the temple facing the sanctum. The temple has a circumambulatory path and a Mandap along with a sanctum. The presiding deity Surya Sadashiva graces from the sanctum as Shiva Linga.

The Madhwa community priests perform Poojas and other rituals at the Surya Temple. A stepped well called Kalyani is over 55 feet deep outside the temple. It has a narrow pathway that leads to the well. People can see a shrine of Naga Devatas adjacent to the temple. Visitors can see a deep pit beyond the Naga shrine.

Festivals in the Surya Temple

The Surya Temple in Ujire celebrates yearly festivals, including Surya Jayanti, Makar Sankranti, Navaratri, Shivaratri, and Rathotsava.

Benefits of Worshipping at Surya Temple

The unique feature of the Surya Temple is offering clay objects to Shiva. Devotees who come here make a wish in Harike Bana, a garden of Swayam Udhbhava linga near the temple. They used to offer clay objects to the deity soon after receiving their blessings. A few potter families associated with the temple committee produce clay objects. Children, cradles, eyes, ears, houses, limbs, coconuts, cattle, bullock carts, snakes, tortoises, and automobile clay objects are available at the temple premises.

People across the country come to the Surya Temple, make wishes, and offer clay objects on fulfillment of their desires. Only clay is used, and no color is added. So, this offering is eco-friendly.