The Sun Temple of Nirath (Rampur) - Himachal Pradesh

                      
   

The Sun temple of Nirath ( Rampur ) dedicated to the Surya Narayan, Surya Deva or ( Sun God ) has a great historical and mythological value for Himachal Pradesh.The temple is situated at the elevation of 950 m. in Satluj river valley of Rampur- Bushahar. Their are not so many temples of Surya Deva in India after very famous 'Konark Sun Temple' in Orissa and 'Nirath Sun Temple' in Himachal Pradesh. Nirath Sun temple is the only Sun temple in North India.
In the hills and valleys of God in Himalaya every temple have been built in reverence of valley Gods and Godesses but this is a rare one in Himachal where inhabitants of the valley worships the pre-vedic God 'Surya'. In the mountains every temple has a unique legacy that is passed from generation to generation through word of mouth. For this place legends and inhabitants of the valley claim that the foundation of the temple was laid by 'Lord Parshurama' during Mahabharata era. Another story tells that Pandava brothers stayed at the place during their exile period.
But There is no definite date of construction of the temple, studying by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) the estimated date of the construction is goes back to 7th century to 12th century.
Temple is built in unique Nagaara style architecture by strong wooden pillars and big stones, all four directions of the temple guarded by stone carved lion idols.The idols of vedic Gods and Godesses carved out from the big stones are fixed on the temple's walls, temple courtyard has many stone idols of vedic gods and godesses from the centuries ago which are the actual remnants of the heritage temple.