Sun Worship Was Prevalent In Modern Day Bihar Region for Thousands of Years

Today worship of Surya, the sun god in Hinduism, in Bihar is associated with the four-day Chath Puja observed after Diwali. But historians suggest that sun worship was prevalent in modern day Bihar for thousands of years.

Times of India reports

Patna University Ancient Indian history and archaeology department teacher Jayadeo Mishra said archaeological evidences suggest that the worship of the Sun god, which constitutes the essence of Chhath festival, has been prevalent in Magadh region for thousands of years. The figurative manifestations of the Sun were found for the first time in 200BC Bodh Gaya railings. The first manifestation of Sun god at Bodh Gaya in the art form during Saka-Kushan period is thus natural. As such, we also find Sun appearing on Kushan coins during AD200-300.

Mishra pointed out the three oldest Sun temples in India are Matang Mandir in Kashmir, Konark Mandir (Odisha) and Deo Mandir at Aurangabad in Bihar. All these three temples were built in post-Gupta period. 

According to historians, the worship of Sun god is believed to have been performed since the Vedic times. Rigveda contains hymns worshipping the Sun and describing rituals of the same kind that are performed on the day of Chhath today. It is believed that ancient sages used to abstain from food and absorb energy solely and directly from the Sun.