According to Brahma Purana, it is said that there is an image of Lord Surya on the shores of great ocean which is south of Bharataavarsha. The land was called with the name Utkala or Ondara which is now called as Orissa, India. Once it was populated with Brahmans who acquired the knowledge of Vedas, Puranas and Shastras.

In ancient times the idol was named with Konaditya, as time passed it’s now called with the name Konaraka. According to Brahma purana it is said "whoever gazes at the image and prays lord Surya, their sins will be forgiven."

The best time to worship lord Surya is during the time of sunrise. It is also clearly mentioned about the rite to be followed to clear your sins of seven preceding generations. One has to face towards east and draw the image of lotus flower (with exactly eight petals) with red sandalwood on the ground to descend on this flower. Place copper vessel at the centre of the flower filled with paddy, sacred grass, red flowers, red sandal wood and sesamum water. Worshipping Konaditya following this rite will forgive your sins.



Lord Surya has twelve forms which are named as Indra, Vishnu, Varuna, Dhata, Vivasvana,  Parjanya, Tvashta, Mitra, Pusha, Amshumana, Aryama and Bhaga. Each form has different roles ex: Indra form destroys enemies of gods, Parjanya showers rain, Vivasvana – fire, Amshumana – wind, Dhata creates living beings etc.