Surya

This is one of the finest sculptures from the Sun temple of Konarak and may have once been installed for worship in the sanctum. Surya is depicted standing, holding full-blown lotuses in both hands, riding on a chariot driven by charioteer Aruna, drawn by seven galloping horses.
The deity is flanked by attendant figures; Danda and Pingala on one side and his consorts, Chhaya (Shadow) and Suvarchasa on the other. The figure is surrounded by a decorative arch that adds beauty to the image.
Surya is the source of light, warmth, life and knowledge, and is the solar deity from the early period of the Rigveda. Before the 5th century and as the solar cult was strongly influenced by the Zoroastrian cult of Iran, images of Surya was dressed in tunic, girdle and high boots, with a dagger in his hand, and only four horses drew his chariot. It was only from the Gupta period onwards that the Surya images were ‘Indianized’ as we see in this image.